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Implicit Bias

McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin


Test yourself for bias

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Tips to talk about bias

  • Set ground rules for safe place and assumed intentions ‘Brave, Safe Space’ Discuss
  • Be respectful  
  • Allow constructive friction (builds understanding)  
  • Assume the best intention/come from love  
  • Expect and accept no closure  
  • Guide to receptive listening 
  • Speak your truth (no one else’s)  
  • Be present and engage  
  • Be curious — not defensive or convincing  
  • Take your notes  
  • Varied avenues for input (discussion, chat box, jam board, submitted scenarios)  
  • Ask questions  
  • Practice empathy  
  • Echo/restate 

 Tips to respond to bias:

  • Take appropriate action. Be brave 
  • Interrupt (prevent hurt/damage)  
  • Ask questions (Don’t lecture or make statements)  
  • Seek understanding, clarity  
  • Don’t correct  
  • Echo what you heard  
  • Make clear “that” is absolutely unacceptable  
  • Provide resources (teaching tolerance), educate  
  • Support anyone who is advocating, give no outlet/connection for bias, build culture of inclusion  
  • Build camaraderie around inclusion  
  • Leverage strategic plans, policies and established procedures for equity for all students  
  • What do you say to “That’s so gay” and other anti-lgbtq comments?   
  • Why Pronouns Matter 

 

Self-talk: Set or reset yourself

Check mark in a box

  • I can be uncomfortable to make all students comfortable.
  • I want to be inclusive and have much to learn. 
  • Correction and error will help me get to my goal of inclusivity. 
  • This is not about me and my intent. 
  • Am I in a learning posture? Or defending something (what?)?