5 major traps around unconscious bias training
Creating a bias conscious culture
The traps around the concept of unconscious bias training need to be exposed.
The discussion around the effectiveness of unconscious bias training is generally polarised into two extreme camps. Those that support it and those that vociferously don’t. There are very occasionally a few voices in the grey areas of nuance. But the number of traps around the very basic concept of unconscious bias training need to be exposed and much more thoroughly discussed.
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” Peter Drucker
Creating a bias conscious culture is like any other change management initiative. It needs leadership commitment, systemic changes and shifts in individual behaviour to make it happen. In any other sphere one of the most important elements of implementing a business strategy is to align behaviours, activities and priorities with the employer’s strategic goals. This requires a “behavioural vision,” identifying habits and behaviours that are necessary for an organization reach their objectives. These are the specific action steps that turn vision into reality to produce the desired business results. A strategy can be far-reaching, but if employees don’t live the required behaviour every day through their actions, it will not happen as it should.
#Trap 1 – asking the wrong questions
The frequently asked question is “Does unconscious bias training work?” Whatever the word “work” means in this context. They ask the question because it frequently encounters resistance and the results are difficult to measure. I have been involved in unconscious bias training and experienced push back personally, but I think we are asking the wrong questions.
We should be asking different questions such as:
- Who is resistant?
- Who is doing this resisting?
- How can we get from “defensive to discovery” mode? To quote Kristen Pressner
A new report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission “Unconscious Bias Training: An assessment of the evidence for effectiveness” suggests that:
- UBT is effective for awareness raising by using an Implicit Association Test. This should be followed by a debrief or more advanced training designs, such as interactive workshops.
- UBT can be effective for reducing implicit bias, but it is unlikely to eliminate it completely.
#Trap 2 Managing expectations
Many people talk about eliminating, eradicating or overcoming unconscious bias. That already creates a false expectation. Unconscious bias training will only highlight the many areas where bias creeps in to create an environment where constructive communication around those biases can take place in a respectful setting. It can never be removed totally. The correct language should be around creating awareness. Systemic changes will put a structure in place for ensuring that we adapt our behaviour by various degrees, because employees have to follow new protocols and are obliged to change.
#Trap 3 Pushback is bad
People push back against unconscious bias training because self-reflection can be uncomfortable and change is scary. But unlike any other change management and cultural shift, for some inexplicable reason leaders and HR professionals tip toe around this. Perhaps we should start looking at resistance not as a sign that unconscious bias training doesn’t “work” but because it does. Th resistance is the first step. Change can be challenging and most of us prefer an easy life.
Corporate values and a mission statement lie at the heart of any organisation. Values are driven by emotions and when people bring different emotions to the workplace, relationships can become less collaborative and we may see dissent. No-one likes that. It’s therefore important to understand where and how any of these emotions can be triggered and how business decisions and relationships are impacted. Values are nuanced, subtle and difficult to identify especially when they are unconscious. Dealing with them is not straight forward which is why we avoid it.
There is also an assumption that conflict around values is inherently bad, but discord makes a valuable contribution to building a diverse, innovative and strong organisation. These values define expectations around how employees relate to each other within and outside an organisation. They centre on how people need and want to be treated to feel appreciated and gain recognition. This allows them to give their top performance and achieve better results which in turn enhances their employee experience. If employees feel their workplace culture is toxic, or their chances of promotion are limited because of their age, gender, race or any other bias, this will impact productivity. Diversity is a fact – it can be measured. Inclusion is a feeling.
It’s very possible to have an inclusive organisation which is homogeneous. Watch this video on gender bias in interviews to see the impact of having something pointed out:
#Trap 4: Unconscious bias training should be voluntary
Because people don’t like conflict, some pundits suggest unconscious bias training resources should be available to those who look for them on a voluntary basis.
Let’s take a typical change management scenario where an organisation wants to align workplace culture with its strategic vision and values. For example a business seeks to increase repeat sales via an improved customer service experience. A typical path to get strategic employee buy-in might include:
- Defining a positive customer service experience: the customer is satisfied and feels their needs and concerns are being fully met
- Establishing metrics that would measure a positive customer experience: improved feedback, repeat purchases, increased sales
- Identifying action points which will support that process: enhanced customer service systems, more customer service agents, extended hours of availability, better interface with other services (manufacturing, supply chain, sales) provision of a script
- Defining positive behaviours associated with those action points: improved communication skills, rapid follow-up
- Monitoring the success of the new behaviours: time delay, customer satisfaction survey
- Providing necessary training: to ensure that all employees understand what they need to do and are committed to meeting organisational objectives.
There is nothing there about any of it being voluntary. Can you imagine a caveat to say “If you would like to be efficient with a customer please don’t hesitate to check out these resources. Your call.” Or naming optional approaches “customer service nudges.” Yet the existence of bias is known to impact objective decision-making. This impacts the bottom line of an organisation, in the same way as a poor customer service experience might damage sales.
# Trap 5 Making it an HR not a business issue
Committing to a bias conscious organisation should be a core corporate value where leaders and employees together identify the appropriate behaviours to practise in any workplace. This will create a shift from notional values and assumptions to specific expectations around behaviour. It should be part of a business issue to drive the organisation forward and not a warm, fuzzy, feel-good HR initiative. This is perceived (in itself a bias) to be part of a drive for political correctness and compliance.
The business outcomes should be at the core of the initiative with individuals held accountable and rewarded. There should be KPIs and incentives.
All of this work needs to be measured and monitored on an ongoing basis. Commitment needs to be made to modelling and coaching the values of any culture, with a strong leadership commitment and the introduction of systemic changes to make that happen. With those key pieces in place, individual behaviour will adapt more willingly.
3Plus International can help your organisation make the changes you need with our Managing Unconscious Bias Workshops
Found that interesting?
Learn more about our services
Individual services
Make your dreams a reality with a professional evaluation of your career to date.
Corporate services
The evidence is in. More women in your company can deliver 35% greater financial returns. (Catalyst)
Upcoming events
Book Now
Dates for the Diary
12th January 2021 “Habits to help you work more effectively remotely” Crop Life Europe - Corporate event
28th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
29th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
5th February 2021 “ How to Build your Personal Board“ ENGIE Fifty-Fifty Programme - Corporate event
8th March 2021 IWD "How to create a career and networking strategy for career success” Highquest Partners - Corporate event
We have Remote Learning Programs available
Check out our exciting portfolio of offerings to support your business in upskilling and competence building for your teams, to address the unprecedented challenges that women face in this new totally a digital world.
Download and listen free podcasts
Building Trust at Workplace with Dorothy Dalton
Navigate career uncertainty post Covid19
Share the load – Online Discussion and Coaching Session with Ian Dinwiddy
How to show you are open to work
Things to do to protect yourself when you get fired
10 ways to create a post pandemic career safety net
Facial Movements: Do you Freeze, Flight or Fight?
How to Create an Effective USP
How to Rethink the Modern Workplace for Gender Equality
Menopause in the workplace
How to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace
The importance of Hard Talk
When Does Female Rivalry Turn into Sabotage
Goal setting tips to boost your career
Sexism: How to stage a Bystander Intervention in the Workplace
How to Get Noticed by Head Hunters & Recruiters
Why all women need a strong LinkedIn profile
Related articles
4 Steps to a Winning Mindset
Tips for developing a winning mindset Mindset is particularly important when job hunting or seeking a promotion. It determines whether you show up self-confidently or wracked with self-doubt. The dictionary defines mindset as “a person’s usual attitude or...
Flexible Working Is ‘Just As Important To Men’
Flexible working isn’t just for caring reasons. There are lots of reasons why people want flexible working patterns and all are just an important to men.
Leading Virtually: Leadership Communication Essentials
More than ever before you are leading virtually with people dispersed throughout the globe. Here are 9 communication tips to help you engage virtually.