Unconscious bias with Microsoft
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening or goodnight? This was how Lead Happiness Consultant, Dave Keeling, began his recent unconscious bias session, covering four different time zones for the frontline workers who manage Microsoft facilities worldwide.
The one-hour online session was an introduction to unconscious bias and how it impacts our everyday connections and relationships.
The focus was on the four main biases we see in organisations:
- Affinity bias
- Confirmation bias
- Insider/outsider group dynamics
- Systemic bias
Dave created time and space to reflect on these biases, what we can do to challenge them and to explore how our thinking and actions are impacted by our beliefs, memories and values.
The group looked at what constitutes a happy culture, what is meant by selective discrimination and why diversity is not just something you see.
The session flew by and was definitely a catalyst for further conversations around recognising our biases and challenging them by asking questions, being more curious about those around us and broadening our social circles.