Master the Don'ts: Top 8 Tips from the Playbook of Biased?Management
Ali Al Mokdad
Strategic Senior Manager Specializing in Global NGO Operations, Governance, and Innovative Programming
Over my career journey, I've been "blessed" with the experience of working with a wide range of leaders and managers. The good ones taught me lessons that helped me grow both professionally and personally. The not-so-good ones? Oh, they were a gift in disguise! They showed me exactly what not to do if I want an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment.
In this article, I'm sharing some tips from the playbook of some of my ex-biased managers. If you're curious about how to excel at ignoring diverse perspectives, you're in the right place. But don't worry, if you're aiming for inclusivity, each tip comes with a piece of advice from my former inclusive leaders.
Tip #1: Dismiss opinions that differ from yours and promote those who nod along:
Create a comforting echo chamber by ignoring differing opinions and rewarding those who simply echo your thoughts, effectively building a team of yes-men and yes-women. You need more people on your side, so make sure to give power to those who say YES. I'm not talking about those who say yes to additional tasks;I'm referring to those who always say yes to your ideas just to keep you happy.
A Better Path: Encourage a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and recognizing people based on their skills,talent,ethics and performance is the usual practice. Promote open discussions and constructive feedback to foster continuous learning and improvement, leading to well-informed decisions and a more innovative, resilient team.
Tip #2: Avoid the 'awkward' topics of discrimination and bias like they're taboo:
Sweeping it under the rug: because out of sight is out of mind.?Ignore discussions on discrimination and bias; sweep such things under the rug. Opening such topics might put you and others in uncomfortable situations. These topics might open people's eyes to things you'd rather not talk about.
Inclusive Insight: Address and work to eliminate discrimination and bias within your team and among colleagues. Create a safe and supportive environment where team members feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics. If you are not aware of such topics, then seek advice and guidance from others. Learn and read more about these topics and engage with others to understand their perspectives, challenges, and more.
Tip #3: Only hire mirror reflections of yourself:
Hire individuals who mirror your background and ideologies, ensuring a one-size-fits-all team devoid of differing perspectives. Assess candidates based on things beyond their qualifications, like where they come from, their gender, age, background, or other factors that match what you see in the mirror.
A Sound Suggestion: Embrace diversity in hiring to foster innovation and resilience, bringing in a range of experiences, skills, and viewpoints that can add value to your team and organization. Make sure to reduce bias in recruitment, and if you don't know how, then read, learn, and seek support on ways to reduce bias in recruitments.
Tip #4: Judge a book by its cover:
Judge people based on their dress code, and dislike different styles, eating habits, hairstyles, beards, makeup, tattoos, piercings, or even the way they walk and talk, reinforcing a narrow-minded view. Treat people based on these superficial factors rather than their actual skills or contributions. Make everyone conform to a single standard that matches your own preferences.
From a Wiser Lens: Respect individual expressions of culture and personal habits as long as they don't interfere with work performance or professional conduct. Create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves, which includes appreciating their unique styles and habits. Assess individuals based on their skills, experience, knowledge, and contributions rather than their appearance or personal preferences.
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Tip #5: Mock accents, names, religions, and cultures:
Mock cultural differences, creating a hostile environment for those from diverse backgrounds. Keep making comments related to their names, religion, and cultures, highlighting your ignorance and dismissing their opinions.
Towards Tolerance: Cultivate respect and appreciation for different cultures and work styles, fostering a sense of belonging and a more harmonious work environment. Make an effort to learn about and understand the diverse backgrounds of your colleagues and team members, and encourage open discussions that allow everyone to share their perspectives and experiences.
Tip #6: Treat older or younger colleagues as irrelevant:
Dismiss the input of older or younger colleagues, assuming they have nothing valuable to contribute. If they are young, say they lack experience; if they are old, say they are not familiar with new approaches or modern work styles. Say they are too fast if they are young, and say they are too slow if they are old. Make sure to check their age while hiring, and keep bringing up the age topic when they are working with you.
A Respectful Way: Respect the experience and fresh perspectives that different generations bring to the table. Encourage intergenerational collaboration to foster a more dynamic and innovative team environment.
Tip #7: Maintain an identical inner circle as diverse as a tub of vanilla ice cream:
Surround yourself at work with people who look, think, and act just like you do. This way, you'll never be challenged by different perspectives or ideas. It's like enjoying a tub of vanilla ice cream every day without ever trying any other flavors.
A Better Way: Make an effort to build connections with a diverse range of individuals. This will not only broaden your understanding but also enrich your perspective. You'll discover new viewpoints and become more well-rounded in your interactions.
Tip #8: Remind people they don't fit and we're not all equal:
Make it a routine to continually point out that people don't fit in due to their passport, ID, name, gender, age, sexual orientation, color, accent, or cultural background, promoting a sense of separation.
Golden Additional Tip: Blame any problems on cultural differences, showing that following one culture is the way to go. In your world, getting or reaching equality is a tough job so tell everyone about that.
The Wise Approach: Embrace diversity and promote equality. Understand that every individual has unique strengths regardless of their background or identity. Encourage a culture of respect, inclusivity, and fairness where everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed.
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We've shared a laugh over biased management tactics, but in the real world, it's far from funny. Being biased can damage your team and relationships with colleagues, causing serious harm to everyone.
Read, learn, and seek guidance to grow into an inclusive leader.