Weekend Boost No. 34

LEADERS ARE WILLING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR OWN BIASES

We've heard so much in the last few years about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). It is important for leaders (especially white cisgender leaders) to continue reflecting, learning and acting to undermine bias in the workplace.

Here are three resources to support this. 

• Code-switching and the impact on leadership and the workplace is discussed in this podcast from Chief.

• This article shares an interview with Heidi Maibom on her book The Space Between: How Empathy Really Works and provides some perspective on how empathy contributes to greater social understanding and justice.

• Here is an older but still very actionable article from HBR on practices for undermining bias in the hiring process.

THE PRACTICE

The self-reflection when it comes to bias in the workplace isn't about whether or not there is bias, it is about what biases exist. Take a moment to take stock of your own relationships (in and outside of work). Get curious how you might be biased. This practice is especially important for those of us who are white and cisgendered.

I know this topic and practice can be uncomfortable, this makes it that much more important.