Unconscious Bias is an association or attitude about a person or social group that, while not plainly expressed, operates beyond our control and awareness, informs our perceptions, and can influence our decision-making and behavior. It exists in each person’s worldview and affects our actions from the classroom to the workplace. And while we may not be conscious of our own biases, many of those around us do perceive them. As a result, unconscious bias creates barriers to inclusion, performance, engagement, and innovation. Though we cannot completely rid ourselves of unconscious bias, learning how to mitigate its impact is a skill that all of us can learn.
Catalyst Resources on Unconscious Bias
Blogs
- 5 Ways to Identify Effective Unconscious Bias Training
- Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier for Confronting Gender Bias
- Mindfulness: Being in the Now Without Bias, Blame or Shame
- Sharing Failures Leads to Learning Opportunities for All
Case Studies
- Case Study: The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)—[email protected] Supporter Exclusive
“BCG also implemented many programs and activities that promote awareness and affiliation, including Unconscious Bias training that was mandatory for all Partners and Principals, as well as leaders who managed key people processes (such as recruitment and learning and development). Over 90% of Partners, Principals, leaders, and teams participated.” - Case Study: EY Global Delivery Services India—Catalyst D&I Logues Practice Supporter Exclusive
“The firm created a web-based learning module to help employees increase awareness of their own unconscious biases as well as the biases of others; provide solutions for counteracting biases to improve decision-making around talent; help employees build richer and more meaningful client relationships; and help ensure that talent reviews result in fair and equitable evaluations. To further ensure that unconscious bias does not play a role in performance appraisal decisions, the firm put up posters that provide tips for counteracting bias at all review meetings.”
Infographics
- Break the Cycle—Eliminating Gender Bias in Talent Management Systems
- How to Combat Unconscious Bias as an Individual (see also: Japanese translation)
- How to Combat Unconscious Bias as a Leader in Your Organization (see also: Japanese translation)
- What is Unconscious Bias?
Online Learning
- CatalystX: Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action
- Knowledge Burst: Running More Inclusive Meetings Supporter Exclusive
Reports
- The Day-to-Day Experiences of Workplace Inclusion and Exclusion
- Emotional Tax: How Black Women and Men Pay More at Work and How Leaders Can Take Action
- Day-to-Day Experiences of Emotional Tax Among Women and Men of Color in the Workplace
- Empowering Workplaces Combat Emotional Tax for People of Colour in Canada
Tools
- Break the Cycle Toolkit Supporter Exclusive
Trend Briefs
Webinars
- 6 Steps to a More Inclusive Recruiting Process Supporter Exclusive
- Eliminating the Double Bind Supporter Exclusive
- International Women’s Day 2019 Supporter Exclusive
Other Resources on Unconscious Bias
- Unconscious Bias, Implicit Bias, and Microaggressions: What Can We Do About Them? American Bar Association
- Unconscious Bias: How It Affects Us More Than We Know Forbes
- Unconscious Bias: What Is It and Can It Be Eliminated? The Guardian
- Breaking Barriers: Unconscious Gender Bias in the Workplace International Labour Organization
- Test Yourself for Hidden Bias Teaching Tolerance
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