Unconscious bias: what does it mean and why it realy matters being aware of.

1. What is Unconscious Bias and
why does it matter?
DMAB D&I Conference
15 May 2018
Laurence Einsweiler
Legal Director Belgium-Luxembourg
Pfizer N.V. - S.A.
Tamara Eelsing
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
ING Belgium NV/SA

2. Exercise
Trusted 10
2
Think of the first names or
initials of people you trust (not
your family members), and
write them down

3. Trusted 10 circles
3
321
1: Trust
2: C.o.m.f.y.
3: Hiya!
Diversity ↓

4. • Imagine you get the responsibility over a really
important assignment, a high visibility project with
lots of interaction with senior leaders. Your job
depends on its success…
• Ask yourself this question:
Am I going to choose the people in my team at level 3?
Or rather at level 2 or 1?
Trusted 10 Exercise - implication
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5. 5
What is Unconscious Bias?
Bias
A judgment made even
with compelling data and
information to the
contrary
Unconscious Bias
A judgment made without
being aware that we are
doing so
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6. 6
The good news
Bias is ordinary
(human)
Bias operates
unconsciously
Bias is changeable
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7. 3 major types of biases
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8. Affinity bias is the unintended favoring of
people based on similarity.
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9. Confirmation bias is
the bias that results
from pre-existing
perceptions, images
and assumptions,
otherwise known as
stereotypes.
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10. Systemic bias occurs when unconscious biases
unintentionally become embedded at the
organizational, systemic level.
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11. What influences your perceptions?
Perceived
reality
resulting in
actions
Factors Influencing Our Perceptions
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12. How We Interpret the World
Around Us
Filter
Information
Interpret
What is Going
On
Act on Beliefs
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13. 13
Critical Thinking Process
Be careful not to jump to stage four too quickly & always test your thinking
Model developed by Dr. Stephen Brookfield
2. Challenge assumptions
Test your thinking with
others - Is there an
unconscious bias at play
3. Gather and test
Explore the other person’s
thinking (data, reasoning).
Do they view data in the
same way
1. Identify assumptions
State what you
think… what is your
point of view - clear
and to the point
4. Take informed actions
Select the right data and
have a “productive”
straight talk conversation
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