What Does Breaking Bias Mean to You?

In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we recently surveyed our peers at Comcast Advertising, FreeWheel and Effectv to get their thoughts on this year’s official theme: #BreakTheBias. As a follow-up to our first post?in which we asked how they are helping break the bias, this edition looks at what breaking the bias means to them. From cultivating a culture of inclusion and acceptance to taking action to understand and correct our own innate assumptions, take a look at what our coworkers had to say.

What does breaking the bias mean to you?

“Never apologizing for being my authentic self.” - Avery Kuiper, Senior Marketing Operations Specialist, Comcast Advertising?

“Working together to have a world where decisions are made in a fair, unbiased manner.” -Tracey Kopper-Hourin, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Customer Experience, Comcast Advertising??

“For me, breaking bias means breaking down unconscious assumptions by slowing down, taking the time to gather more information/facts, being open to learning or testing assumptions, and most importantly getting involved in the conversation.” - Carmen Estopare, Senior Director, Learning Engagement, Comcast Advertising?

“It means each of us becoming more aware of our conscious and unconscious biases, and being willing to question ourselves and others. It means speaking up for change. It means being willing to think differently, hire differently, promote differently. - Pooja Midha, Chief Growth Officer, Comcast Advertising

“Creating a truly inclusive environment where all perspectives are heard and represented.” -Paul Martecchini, Vice President, Brand and Corporate Marketing, Comcast Advertising?

“It means leading without bias and doing everything I can to help everyone reach their full potential.” - Rick Mandler, Vice President, Growth Strategy, Comcast Advertising??

“Breaking the bias means not only cultivating a culture of acceptance, but a culture that is warm, motivating, and inspiring for us all.” - Parker Navarro, Manager, Marketing Strategy, Comcast Advertising

“It means to give everyone equal opportunities and treat them the same. It is about providing inclusive environments for everyone to have a chance to express themselves and succeed in the workplace.” - Vera Cuevas, Director, Digital & Media Strategy, Comcast Advertising??

“I believe that most people have good intentions and don't mean to engage their unconscious biases. Breaking the bias requires us all to take a hard look at how and when our innate biases are activated and then make corrections to create a more equitable environment.” - Terra Walker, Senior Director, Social Media and Culture Marketing, Comcast Advertising?

“Nobody is immune to bias. For me it means you must speak up more and not worry about calling people out.” - Hope Fahey, Director of Sales, Effectv

“Knowledge is power. If we understand how overt and implicit bias are at play each day, we can work to mitigate the influence it has.” - Amy Nisenson, Vice President, Sales, Effectv?

“Breaking bias is accepting your biases and retraining associations. I am personally an example of a female leader with an invisible disability.” - Michelle Macellaro, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, Effectv?

“It means so much to me, for my daughters' future, to live in an inclusive and equitable world.” - Emily Madigan, Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Effectv??

“To me breaking bias begins with raising awareness, creating understanding, and helping to open minds through education and discussion. The end goal is a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes, oppression, and discrimination.” - Lynne Sherwood-Parker, Skill Development Manager - Pacific Region, Effectv

“Checking my initial, instinctive reactions/thoughts for biases and challenging myself to try others’ ideas even when it doesn't feel best to me.” - Michael Munley, Vice President, Global Client Services, FreeWheel?

“I don't think you can ‘break it.’ I think you can manage it. Managing and mitigating bias is to be aware, take pause and readjust thinking/doing.” - Barbara Cowan, Vice President, Talent and Inclusion, Comcast Advertising

“To break barriers and judgment that have been imposed against women for so long, and let my voice be heard without fear.” - Taciana Yonkovich, Supervisor, Campaign Management, Effectv

“Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” - Matthew Katz, Senior Director Marketplace Quality, FreeWheel?

“Breaking the bias is taking action, however small it is, towards equity and fairness in every aspect of our lives. This is not only about standing up at the workplace, but wherever we might be witnessing some prejudice in our day-to-day. Sometimes a simple comment showing disapproval, or a different point of view, goes a long way.” - Aurora Alvarez Ferreira, Senior Technical Account Manager, FreeWheel

“Identifying areas where I, or others, have conscious or unconscious bias and breaking the habits that perpetuate the bias.” - Nick Garramone, Vice President, Strategic Planning, FreeWheel

“Breaking the bias means getting more people in the room where decisions are made. It means building a leadership team that reflects the customer base so that all voices are represented. It means creating an environment where all employees feel like they belong.” - Calen Dallavis, Senior Manager, Training, FreeWheel?

“Having the ability to remain neutral and not judge someone?- Vanessa Grenier, Communication Associate, FreeWheel?

?“Treating women the same way we should all treat everyone – with respect, and as we would want ourselves or our loved ones to be treated.” - Michael Dortch, Marketing Manager, Comcast Advertising

Thank you to everyone who took a moment to share their thoughts-- we look forward to hearing yours in the comments.