Technical Foul: Bias in the Lane

The recent controversy surrounding the now retracted idea to invite LSU and Iowa women's basketball teams to the White House highlights an issue that has been plaguing our society for far too long - unconscious bias. While it is tradition for only the national champions to be invited to the White House, some suggested that both teams should be invited due to their outstanding performance. However, the suggestion was met with backlash from LSU's star player Angel Reese and others who saw it as unfair and a double standard. First Lady Jill Biden’s office has since backed off the idea of inviting both teams.

As the CEO of CNEXT Partners , a company committed to increasing diversity in leadership, I cannot help but see the parallels between this situation and the challenges that women of color, especially Black women, face in corporate America. Despite their exceptional qualifications and performance, Black women are often overlooked for promotions and opportunities due to unconscious bias. They are often subjected to stereotypes and assumptions about their abilities and are not given the same opportunities as their counterparts.

Similarly, in the case of the LSU and Iowa women's basketball teams, LSU's victory and exceptional performance was being overshadowed by the suggestion to invite both teams to the White House. It is as if their hard work and accomplishment were not enough to earn them recognition - the same recognition that has historically gone to the winning team alone. This type of thinking is a product of unconscious bias, which often goes unnoticed or unacknowledged.

The reality is that unconscious bias is prevalent in all areas of life, including sports and the workplace. It is an issue that affects everyone, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Unconscious bias can prevent us from seeing the value and potential in others, and it can limit our ability to create a more equitable and inclusive environment.

It is important to recognize and address unconscious bias in all areas of life. We must actively work to eliminate bias and create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all. Only then can we truly celebrate the achievements of those who have worked hard and deserve recognition, and only then can we reap the superior performance that a diverse and inclusive workforce (or team) provides.

In the case of the LSU and Iowa women's basketball teams, it is clear that LSU deserves to be recognized for their victory, and they should have been invited to the White House without hesitation and without sharing the spotlight. It is their moment to shine and be recognized for their excellent performance. In all settings, it is time to break down the barriers that prevent Black women and other marginalized groups from achieving their full potential and receiving the recognition they deserve. Bias can limit everyone's performance.

So, what can we do to address unconscious bias in our own lives and in our workplaces? Here are a few steps that we can take:

●?????Educate ourselves: We can't address unconscious bias if we don't know what it is or how it affects us. Take the time to educate yourself on unconscious bias and the impact it can have.

●?????Check our assumptions: We all have biases, whether we realize it or not. We can start to address them by checking our assumptions about other people and challenging our assumptions when they are unfounded.

●?????Foster diversity, equity and inclusion: We can create a more inclusive environment by actively seeking out diverse perspectives, creating space for them to be heard, and ensuring equitable treatment for all.

●?????Hold ourselves accountable: It's important to hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions and to be willing to make changes when necessary. This may mean changing courses and/or apologizing if our unconscious bias has caused harm to someone.

Addressing unconscious bias is not an easy task, but it is a necessary one. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and to acknowledge our biases, even when it's uncomfortable. It requires us to be open to feedback and to be willing to make changes. But if we are committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive society, then it's a task that we must take on and when we do so it will yield beneficial fruit for all.