Seven actions to being a bias buster

As a leader, do you actively seek out different points of view? Or do your unconscious biases assume the same people will provide the innovative solutions you seek? Become a Bias Buster.

In this podcast: 

• Who brings the most innovative solutions
• Bias buster process
• How to practice a bias-free life

Who do you think may bring the most innovative solutions forward?

• The person with purple hair or the person with grey hair?
• A person who is deeply religious or someone who is an atheist?
• An individual who is educated at a private university, a college graduate, or an entrepreneur with a high school education?
• Someone who likes to enjoy a cocktail or someone who abstains?

These assumptions can be biases and will be barriers to engagement and innovation for your organization. What can you do to ensure your assumptions stay in check and they don’t influence your perception of another person?

by Suzanne F. Stevens, Conscious-Contribution™ Cultivator, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), YouMeWe.ca

Use a bias buster. A bias buster is how you uncover, understand, or overcome unconscious bias.

Here is a bias buster process that will help you get the best innovative ideas from your team

1. Become AWARE of your biases. Have an honest conversation with yourself. Ask: “When I meet, see, or talk to someone that is _________ (put any of the above descriptors in the blank) what is my immediate perception? Example: When I meet, see, or talk to someone who is gay what is my immediate perception?
2. WHY does that perception exist?
3. Use LOGIC. Ask yourself ‘how many _____ (bias here) do I know that act _____ (perception here). For example: How many millennials do I know that are lazy?
4. When you’re about to impose your bias, this is a CAUSE for PAUSE. Neuro-Linguistic programming (otherwise known as NLP), suggests pausing for 7 seconds, this will allow enough time for you to become conscious of your behaviour.
5. LISTEN, to the other person to give your bias an opportunity to be proven inaccurate.
6. SEEK COMMON GROUND, we all have something in common, we just need to ask questions to learn what it is. Are you a cat lover? A dog lover? The common ground would be you love animals.
7. Lastly, decide to be OPEN MINDED, to interact with diverse groups of people without judgment. You will be amazed by what you learn.

How to practice a bias-free life? (Or at least start limiting them?)

This weekend, seek someone out that traditionally you wouldn’t speak to. Perhaps a person who is homeless, a person of a specific culture, a person who is disabled.

Start a conversation… I’ll even give you the question… “Hello, I’m … how familiar are you with this area? Then ask … What are some of the changes you have noticed in the area, at work, etc … and how have they impacted you? Or “How has your day been so far?”

Want to learn more about your biases? Do this 12-minute test, and get a peek into your natural tendencies, then go through the above first three steps. You may have a new perspective on why your assumptions were unfounded.

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

When it comes to innovation or any decision for that matter, it is best to maximize the power of diverse perspectives and include and seek input from people with a wide variety of backgrounds. This will optimize the contribution of the group.

In the next YouMeWe Infusion, we will provide a perspective on the bias that comes with privilege.

Consider:

1.   Why does my bias exist?
2.   What can I do when I recognize my bias creeping into decisions?
3.   How do I learn my biases?

Until next time, make your contributions count.
#YouMeWeMovement #YourContributionCounts