Introduction

Unconscious bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously. As leaders, it is crucial to recognize and address unconscious biases in order to foster a fair and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. These biases can have a profound impact on hiring decisions, performance evaluations, team dynamics, and overall organizational culture.

The Unconscious Bias Training for Leaders course is specifically designed to help leaders at all levels understand the science behind unconscious bias, its influence in the workplace, and strategies to mitigate its impact. By equipping leaders with the skills to recognize and combat bias, this course aims to foster diverse, equitable, and high-performance teams.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand what unconscious bias is and how it manifests in decision-making and leadership.
2. Recognize the various types of unconscious biases that influence behavior in the workplace.
3. Identify the ways in which unconscious bias can impact hiring, promotions, and team interactions.
4. Develop strategies for mitigating unconscious bias in personal and organizational decision-making processes.
5. Implement inclusive leadership practices to create a fair and equitable work environment.
6. Understand the importance of fostering a culture of inclusion through bias awareness.
7. Promote accountability and transparency in managing bias within teams and organizations.
8. Create and lead a plan to continue the fight against bias in the workplace beyond the training.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Senior leaders and executives responsible for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organizations.
• Managers and supervisors seeking to improve their leadership skills and enhance team dynamics.
• HR professionals, diversity and inclusion officers, and talent acquisition specialists.
• Organizational development and change management professionals.
• Anyone in a leadership role who is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace culture.

5-Day Training Course Outline

Day 1: Understanding Unconscious Bias and Its Impact on Leadership

• Session 1: What is Unconscious Bias?
  • Defining unconscious bias and understanding its origins.
  • How unconscious bias differs from conscious bias and the role of implicit associations.
  • The neuroscience behind unconscious bias: Why we all have biases.
  • The impact of unconscious bias on perception, behavior, and decision-making.
  • Activity: Implicit Association Test (IAT) and group reflection on results.
• Session 2: Types of Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
  • Common types of unconscious bias: Affinity bias, confirmation bias, halo effect, gender bias, racial bias, and more.
  • How these biases manifest in hiring, performance reviews, promotions, and team dynamics.
  • Case study: Examples of how unconscious bias has impacted decision-making in organizations.
  • Group discussion: Identifying personal experiences with unconscious bias in the workplace.
• Session 3: Unconscious Bias and Leadership
  • The role of leadership in shaping organizational culture.
  • How unconscious bias impacts leadership styles and team dynamics.
  • The business case for addressing unconscious bias: Increased diversity, better decision-making, improved innovation.
  • Group exercise: Leadership self-assessment on bias awareness and areas for growth.

Day 2: Identifying and Overcoming Unconscious Bias in Decision-Making

• Session 1: Bias in Hiring and Recruitment
  • How unconscious bias affects hiring and talent acquisition processes.
  • Best practices for mitigating bias during recruitment: Structured interviews, blind recruitment, diverse hiring panels.
  • Case study: Examining recruitment practices and identifying potential bias.
  • Group activity: Redesigning a biased hiring process using inclusive strategies.
• Session 2: Bias in Performance Evaluations and Promotions
  • Understanding how unconscious bias can influence performance evaluations, feedback, and promotions.
  • Strategies to reduce bias in performance reviews: Standardizing criteria, using data, and ensuring diverse perspectives.
  • Role-playing: Giving and receiving feedback with bias awareness.
  • Group discussion: Identifying ways to mitigate bias in your organization’s performance evaluation processes.
• Session 3: Reducing Bias in Day-to-Day Leadership Decisions
  • Everyday leadership decisions and how unconscious bias influences them: Resource allocation, team assignments, recognition.
  • Techniques to overcome bias: Checking assumptions, seeking alternative perspectives, and promoting transparency.
  • Group activity: Reframing a biased decision and practicing inclusive decision-making processes.

Day 3: Developing Strategies to Mitigate Unconscious Bias in the Workplace

• Session 1: Creating a Bias-Aware Leadership Culture
  • How to foster a culture where bias is acknowledged and mitigated through leadership actions.
  • The role of feedback and accountability in addressing unconscious bias.
  • Tools for promoting a bias-aware culture: Bias training, ongoing education, and peer feedback.
  • Group exercise: Brainstorming initiatives to embed unconscious bias mitigation into the company culture.
• Session 2: Implementing Bias Mitigation Strategies
  • Practical strategies for reducing unconscious bias in the workplace: Diversifying teams, changing recruitment processes, ensuring equal opportunities.
  • Developing and implementing bias-checking systems within your organization.
  • Case study: Companies that successfully implemented bias mitigation strategies and saw positive results.
  • Group discussion: Adapting best practices to your organization’s specific needs.
• Session 3: Inclusive Leadership Practices
  • The qualities of an inclusive leader: Active listening, empathy, humility, cultural intelligence.
  • How to model inclusive behavior and foster an environment of belonging.
  • The power of inclusive decision-making and collaboration.
  • Activity: Inclusive leadership role-playing exercises and feedback.

Day 4: Building Organizational Accountability for Unconscious Bias

• Session 1: Measuring and Tracking Progress
  • How to measure bias in the workplace: Surveys, feedback, and data analytics.
  • Setting measurable goals to reduce bias and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Tools for tracking unconscious bias in recruitment, hiring, performance, and promotions.
  • Group activity: Reviewing organizational D&I data and creating action plans for improvement.
• Session 2: Developing Bias Awareness Training Programs
  • How to design effective unconscious bias training programs for employees at all levels.
  • Creating awareness: Teaching employees how to recognize and confront their own biases.
  • The role of senior leaders in leading bias training and setting an example.
  • Activity: Design a brief unconscious bias training module for your team.
• Session 3: Leading Change for an Inclusive and Bias-Free Workplace
  • How leaders can spearhead organizational change to address unconscious bias.
  • Building coalitions within the organization to champion D&I initiatives.
  • Leading by example: How to model inclusive behavior and hold others accountable.
  • Group exercise: Creating a 3-month action plan for addressing unconscious bias in your organization.

Day 5: Creating a Lasting Impact on Unconscious Bias Awareness

• Session 1: Sustaining Momentum for Bias Reduction
  • Maintaining the focus on unconscious bias and ensuring long-term cultural change.
  • Tools for continuing to educate and engage employees in bias awareness beyond the training.
  • The importance of feedback loops, reflection, and ongoing improvement.
  • Activity: Developing a sustainability plan for unconscious bias initiatives in your organization.
• Session 2: Overcoming Resistance and Challenges
  • Understanding why bias awareness efforts can encounter resistance.
  • Strategies to overcome skepticism and create buy-in for bias mitigation programs.
  • Handling difficult conversations around bias and inclusion.
  • Group discussion: Sharing strategies for overcoming resistance and encouraging organizational support.
• Session 3: Personal Leadership Reflection and Action Plan
  • Reflecting on the training: Key takeaways and personal growth as a leader.
  • Creating a personal action plan for addressing unconscious bias in your leadership and within your organization.
  • Peer feedback and accountability for action plan implementation.
  • Closing discussion: How to be a continuous advocate for bias reduction in your workplace.

Training Methodology

• Case Studies: Real-life examples of unconscious bias in leadership and decision-making.
• Group Discussions: Facilitated discussions to explore bias awareness and develop strategies for mitigation.
• Role-Playing and Scenarios: Interactive exercises to practice inclusive leadership and decision-making.
• Self-Assessments: Tools to help participants reflect on their own biases and leadership style.
• Action Planning: Participants will leave the course with a personalized action plan to combat unconscious bias in their organizations.