Discover how unconscious bias can affect social impact strategies and learn effective ways to overcome this challenge for better outcomes.

There's nothing like seeking input from people outside your usual circle. A few years ago, I was part of an organization where we explicitly tracked the degree to which we were including Black and Latino voices in our public-facing material. That was a good wake-up call for all of us, and it led to notable and necessary improvements. But we never thought to reconsider our graphics color palette, so that charts would still make sense for readers with color-blindness. This would have slipped by entirely, if it wasn't for some unexpected -- and timely -- perspective from a member of our data team. Thanks, Carl! And I'd recommend seeking out such voices (your own "Carls") as much as you can

Last updated on Aug 8, 2024

Unconscious bias is hindering your team's social impact strategy. How can you overcome this obstacle?

Unconscious bias can be a silent saboteur in your team's efforts to create positive social impact. These biases, often ingrained and unnoticed, can influence decisions and actions, potentially undermining the effectiveness of your strategy. To maximize your social impact, it is crucial to recognize and mitigate these biases. By actively working to identify and address them, you can foster a more inclusive environment that aligns with your mission and amplifies your efforts for change.

Key takeaways from this article

Diversify input:

Actively seeking diverse perspectives can help mitigate unconscious biases. By including individuals from various backgrounds, you ensure a wide range of viewpoints that challenge the status quo and enrich decision-making.
Introspective questioning:

When judgment arises, pause to question its origin. Ask yourself what might be causing these feelingsâ€”this self-reflection can uncover biases and lead to more equitable interactions and decisions.

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1 Recognize Bias

Unconscious bias refers to the automatic, mental shortcuts your brain uses to make quick judgments about people and situations based on past experiences and societal norms. These biases can manifest in various ways, such as preferring someone who shares your background or overlooking potential in a person due to stereotypes. To overcome this in your team, start by acknowledging that everyone has biases. Encourage open discussions about them and provide training to help team members recognize and understand how these biases can affect their behavior and decision-making.

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George Anders
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There's nothing like seeking input from people outside your usual circle. A few years ago, I was part of an organization where we explicitly tracked the degree to which we were including Black and Latino voices in our public-facing material. That was a good wake-up call for all of us, and it led to notable and necessary improvements. But we never thought to reconsider our graphics color palette, so that charts would still make sense for readers with color-blindness. This would have slipped by entirely, if it wasn't for some unexpected -- and timely -- perspective from a member of our data team. Thanks, Carl! And I'd recommend seeking out such voices (your own "Carls") as much as you can

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Jonathan B.

Looking for a Fullstack/Frontend Developer position
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More specifically, similarly to how you might pause when you become aware of hunger, and ask yourself if you are really hungry or if it might be caused by bordom or another reason, you can pause whenever judgement arises and asl yourself helpful questions such as: "What do they know that I don't that might trigger insecurity or jealousy towards that person?" Or "What exactly am I triggered about?", "What belief conditioned me to react in this particular way?"

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2 Foster Inclusion

Creating an inclusive team environment is essential for combating unconscious bias. Ensure that all voices are heard and valued equally, regardless of background or position. This can be achieved through regular team meetings where everyone is encouraged to share their perspectives. Additionally, consider establishing a diversity and inclusion committee to oversee efforts and keep the topic at the forefront of your team's agenda. Inclusion breeds innovation and helps you approach social impact from a more holistic and empathetic viewpoint.

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Joyita Dutta Goswamy

Founder - Healing Miracles | Social Entrepreneur | Holistic Wellness Facilitator
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Promote an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. Implement training programs focused on recognizing and addressing unconscious bias. Encourage open dialogue and create spaces where team members feel safe sharing their experiences and viewpoints.

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3 Diversify Input

Diversity in thought and experience is critical when tackling social issues. Actively seek out and include individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines in your team. This not only enriches the team's collective knowledge but also provides a safeguard against the tunnel vision that can result from homogenous thinking. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, you can develop more comprehensive and effective social impact strategies.

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Joyita Dutta Goswamy

Founder - Healing Miracles | Social Entrepreneur | Holistic Wellness Facilitator
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By intentionally including voices from a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in your planning and decision-making processes, you can overcome the challenge of diversity. Create opportunities for input from diverse team members and stakeholders through surveys, focus groups, and collaborative sessions. Ensure that diverse perspectives are actively considered and integrated into your strategy. By broadening your sources of input, you can counteract bias, enrich your strategy, and drive more effective and inclusive social impact initiatives that resonate with a wider audience.

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4 Challenge Assumptions

Assumptions are often the bedrock of unconscious bias. Encourage your team to challenge their own and others' assumptions regularly. This can be done through exercises that promote critical thinking, such as playing "devil's advocate" or conducting "pre-mortems" where you anticipate what could go wrong with a strategy. By questioning the status quo, your team can uncover innovative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked due to biased thinking.

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5 Measure Impact

To ensure that your social impact strategy is not being hindered by unconscious bias, it's important to measure its outcomes objectively. Set clear, quantifiable goals and use data to track progress. This helps in identifying whether certain biases are causing you to miss your targets or if there are areas where you could be more effective. Regularly reviewing this data will also keep your team accountable and focused on making unbiased, evidence-based decisions.

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6 Educate Continuously

Continuous education and self-improvement are key to overcoming unconscious bias. Encourage your team to engage in ongoing learning about social issues, diversity, and inclusion. This could include workshops, seminars, or even self-directed learning. The more educated your team is on these topics, the more equipped they will be to recognize and address biases in themselves and in the systems in which they operate.

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Directory

Unconscious bias is hindering your team's social impact strategy. How can you overcome this obstacle?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Recognize Bias

2 Foster Inclusion

3 Diversify Input

4 Challenge Assumptions

5 Measure Impact

6 Educate Continuously

Social Impact

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Directory

Unconscious bias is hindering your team's social impact strategy. How can you overcome this obstacle?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Recognize Bias

2 Foster Inclusion

3 Diversify Input

4 Challenge Assumptions

5 Measure Impact

6 Educate Continuously

Social Impact

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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