The Association Blog

Here’s an exercise to try the next time you’ve got an important decision to make in the workplace.

Bias—simply defined as a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another—can impact who gets certain roles and opportunities in the workplace.

As we’re all conditioned to hold certain biases, it’s important to watch out for them and consciously work through them. As Jasmin Robinson shared in her webinar last week, Recognizing & Navigating Bias, this is a constant, consistent practice you can put to use on the job.

The next time you’re faced with a important decision, says Robinson, “take some time—maybe 10 minutes, 30 minutes, even if it’s over your lunch hour—to think about some of the assumptions that may show up as you make your decision.”

Some questions she encourages you to ask yourself as you do this exercise:

• What messages have I received in my life that may influence my perceptions as I make this decision?
• What identity groups do I have the most exposure to?
• What identities do I have the least exposure to? Are these groups missing as I consider my decision?
• How can I check for gaps in my knowledge in order to make the most informed decision?

For more on this topic, listen to the recorded webinar.

Learn More

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