Workplace

biases, which develop at an early age. These biases are developed over time as we are exposed to societal norms, the environment we live in and images in media.

Implicit biases impact behavior and often guide our judgments and decisions, but there are things we can do to reduce our own bias:

• Focus on seeing people as individuals.

• Increase your exposure to people from different

backgrounds.

• Practice mindfulness.

• Take time to pause and reflect on your interactions.

• Try seeing things from the perspective of others.

• Work on consciously changing your stereotypes.

When we realize our implicit biases, it may be troubling. The good news is that they are not set in stone. It is possible to adopt new attitudes.

Improve the workplace

Building an inclusive workplace needs to begin with leadership. Inclusive leadership is the practice of leadership that centers around traits like developing

cultural intelligence, being courageous in addressing bias and changing behaviors, being collaborative and moving beyond the usual suspects when identifying employees for special projects or mentoring.

An inclusive workplace is achieved when:

• Different perspectives are heard and valued.

• Others are seen and included at the table.

• Respect is demonstrated in big and small ways.

• The contributions of all team members are valued equally.

• You recognize the unique person in front of you.

One of the biggest challenges we see today is creating a workplace that is not only diverse, but a workplace that is also inclusive. The key is committing to action, from the boardroom to the lunchroom, to help create an environment where each person is empowered to fulfill their potential.