Introduction

Trying to manage cultural unconscious bias is seen by many as an arduous task. Indeed, how can you get a grasp on something you aren’t even aware of? This blind spot arises from the fact that the human brain must naturally rely on the smooth running of unconscious processes so that the individual can survive. Necessary unconscious mental shortcuts are more easily subject to bias and suggest that bias is a “natural” working mode of the brain. (for more details see Module 1).

Many studies suggest that, even though people are aware of the negative consequences of bias, they find it hard to change their behaviour (see Harvard Business Review, 9/2021). It seems that sometimes unconscious bias training even has a reverse effect: saying that bias is somehow “natural” can lead to indifference and discriminatory behaviour (see Harvard Business Review, 9/2021).

To get a hold of unconscious bias, isolated interventions are not enough. To change unconscious attitudes, individuals and organisations must be prepared to work on them in the long term. They should be prepared to commit themselves to a change process that may not only involve personal attitudes and behaviour but also include work processes and organisational structures. It seems important to gather various, concrete strategies, individuals, teams and organisations can apply to their own lives and contexts (see Harvard Business Review, 9/2021). This is what we tried to do in Module 2, Part 3. In this module we will discuss what can be done on an individual and organisational level - especially with regard to attitudes towards migrants and people with a migration background - to deal with unconscious bias. This is important not least because there may well be benefits for companies from becoming aware of culturally induced unconscious bias.

Learning outcome(s): At the end of the module…

• You will be more aware as an individual on how to deal successfully with (cultural) unconscious bias,
• You will be more aware as an organisation on how to deal successfully with (cultural) unconscious bias,
• You will be more aware of the benefits on the individual and organisational level when managing successfully (cultural) unconscious bias.

Source: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/b%c3%a4lle-murmeln-runden-allein-407081/