LEVERAGING THE POWER OF INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION TO BUILD A MORE PRODUCTIVE & COHESIVE & EQUITABLE CULTURE

One of the most difficult activities in life is communication.

While many people may not have thought of it like that, do you agree?

When communication breaks down, everything else breaks down with it.

When communication is ineffective, it can destroy relationships and create confusion and chaos.

Some of the skillsets that make communication effective include self-awareness, emotional intelligence, tact and diplomacy and the humble and honourable desire to truly connect with other people.

But nothing makes communication ineffective more than bias – whether conscious or subconscious.

Since communication is mostly reflective of lived experiences than academic qualifications, and current circumstances than the matter of the moment, most of what we say is often biased whether we know it or not.

We could get agitated about someone, and if not emotionally intelligent enough, quick to think or make a blanket statement that considers everyone who may look or think like the other person guilty of the same charge.

Bias is the unjust act of thinking, saying, or doing something in favour of one person or group of people over another person or group based on aspects of their lives that they may or may not even have control over.

Many of us have been raised to have biases against other people based on their ethnicity, culture, religion, socioeconomic status, academic background, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and mere take on things.

The fact that we have been through some things in life does not mean it will be the same experience for others who may have gone through the same situation. The fact a person acts a certain way does not automatically mean everyone from the same background acts the same way.

Everyone is different even when they look almost the same.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to prove themselves even when others from the same background mess up.

Everyone is unique even when they are natural twins.

Everyone has potential and therefore we must learn to foster inclusive communication and leadership.

To register for this free Lunch & Learn webinar on The Power of Inclusive Communication , click here .

Bias is so ingrained in us that it will take a long while and constant and intentional effort to identify and eliminate them from our mentality and management.

After experiencing far too many instances of racism and discrimination as an international student in the West thirty-three years ago, I was quick to think “All whites are racists.”?That detrimental thought was often reinforced whenever I went through other unfortunate racist experiences.

Even now, thirty years later, after I have experienced so many instances of love, kindness, and compassion from “white people”, I know better. But I can still catch my mind struggling with this bias cos I am still faced with far too many instances of racism and discrimination, thirty-three years later.

No matter how much effort we make, more effort is always required to break our biases and prejudices.?Whether it is how I am often harassed in the name of random searches when globetrotting on planes, airports and hotels or the disgusting Eggsmart Experience my family and I recently went through.

What are some of the biases and prejudices you are struggling with which are impeding your leadership, communications, and relationships?

In a recent workshop which I facilitated for the town of Timmins, through Northern College, I asked everyone to write at least one of their biases on a piece of paper, squeeze it and toss it in the recycling bin.

It was an inspiring moment to see honourable participants owning up and trashing their biases.

Have you identified yours?

Common untrue biases we have trained and coached people through are:

1. Indigenous people are lazy.
2. Muslims are often terrorists.
3. Women are weaker than men.
4. Immigrants are incompetent.
5. White people are racist.
6. Black people are often criminals.
7. Italians are mafia.
8. A woman’s place is in the kitchen.
9. Old people are too slow.
10. Young people are crazy.

While these are all detrimental false narratives, which of these are you struggling with or have heard others struggle with?

To register for this free Lunch & Learn webinar on The Power of Inclusive Communication , click here .