Unconscious Bias - Awareness – Self

When we think about any initial meetings or interactions that we encounter or have encountered, there are lots of pieces of information that we have to take in, make sense of assess and then interpret. We do it all the time. Generally, we do it pretty well. But it’s a process that is fallible. 

 As a black, female school leader, I have always had to be acutely mindful of Awareness, one of the Resilient Leaders Elements, in the space that I inhabit. Throughout my career I have had to overcome, not only as a woman but as a black woman. I have had to negotiate the visible and sometimes hidden bias that others have had of me. Most of the time I have taken this as yet another challenge that I have welcomed, but equally, at times, it has held me back. 

Some have stated that “they don’t see colour”, which may have been ok for them – but it’s not ok for me. It’s not ok to not acknowledge my heritage, my strengths, my attitudes and my motives – all based on who I am.

 Throughout my career, I have been fortunate in being able to ‘find my tribe’. By that I mean that I have found schools that I have wanted to embrace, warts and all. Invariably I have always wanted to represent, empower and celebrate those who don’t look like me, don’t act like me and who may not have had the opportunities to be their very best selves and to ‘fly the flag’ for those who are consciously or unconsciously overlooked. 

  “The world is defined by difference”

                                                                         Ekow Eshun

It is difference that can enable an organisation to thrive or shrivel. 

I know that I am different – and for a time I wished that I wasn’t. I wished that I was quieter. I wished that I wasn’t so vibrant. I wished that I was less positive. When I wasn’t successful in getting posts that I successfully applied for and was invited to interview, I wished that I said things differently. And, on really dark days, I wished that I wasn’t so me.

What became apparent to me as I gained more experience in my leadership journey, was that my race and my gender are part of my superpowers. I love and embrace my character! I bring energy to any workplace – I cannot mute it – it’s a part of me. Take it or leave it! Looking at my race and making assumptions about me has enabled me to NOT do the same to others!!

My increasing awareness has enabled me to lead with integrity, confidence and courage. I was the founding Head of a brand new Free special school and during this time I lent heavily on who I was. There were genuine occasions where my status was questioned, and this could have blown me off course. Unconscious bias at its best. However – I #ChooseToChallenge. I may have been the recipient of unconscious bias throughout my teaching career, but I am now utilising my experiences to not only teach others about the benefits and strengths of diversity but how to develop workplace cultures that appreciate difference for the benefit of all.