In this expert session, participants were welcomed by Sharifa Smith and introduced to speaker Indie Taz, an inclusion consultant and educator with extensive experience in addressing unconscious bias. Indie began by emphasizing the significance of acknowledging and respecting differences within diverse groups and discussed her background in overcoming biases through educational experiences.
Indie then delved into the concept of unconscious bias, which she defined as favoring or not favoring people without realizing it. She invited participants to share their own definitions and experiences with unconscious bias, leading to an engaging and enlightening conversation on this crucial topic. Indie introduced the "Blind Spots Exercise," also known as the "Trusted 10 exercise," designed to help participants identify their biases by listing ten trusted individuals and recording their demographic information.
Throughout the session, Indie and Taz Latif, who later led a thought-provoking exercise using the Mentimeter app, discussed various aspects of unconscious bias, including its impact on decision-making processes at work and in daily life. They highlighted the importance of recognizing biases and making deliberate efforts to prevent them from causing harm.
Indie and Taz emphasized that our biases are not inherently bad but can become harmful when they harm others. They introduced concepts such as affinity, anchoring, availability, and automation, which refer to four areas where bias can manifest. Indie also shared the importance of understanding the science behind biases and provided frameworks for participants to mitigate them.
Taz then discussed how biases can impact our decision-making processes in various contexts, such as hiring decisions. He introduced the concept of confirmation bias and the Halo effect, which can influence interviewers' perceptions and lead them to make judgments based on irrelevant factors rather than merit. Taz encouraged participants to explore different types of biases and learn strategies for addressing them.
To combat these biases, Taz introduced the Space Two Model, a framework for mindful inclusion with six proven strategies designed to help individuals understand their biases and prevent harm. Participants were encouraged to apply this model to their own experiences and discuss it with colleagues to hold each other accountable.
Taz concluded the session by addressing specific questions on changing others' biases, approaching difficult conversations, and anonymizing CVs during hiring processes. He emphasized the importance of recognizing our biases and making deliberate efforts to overcome them to create a more inclusive and fair environment for everyone. Taz utilized the Mentimeter app throughout the session to gather feedback from attendees and facilitate audience engagement.
Throughout the expert session, Indie and Taz highlighted the significance of creating a safe environment for discussions about hidden aspects of people's identities and culture, known as the iceberg model. They encouraged participants to be aware of their biases and to make conscious efforts to reduce them in their decision-making processes. The interactive nature of the session using the Mentimeter app provided valuable insights into unconscious bias and fostered a deep understanding of its impact on our lives and the importance of overcoming it.
