The Innovation Show

The Innovation Show


Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives with Howard Ross

May 30, 2020

Most of us do not see ourselves as biased towards people of different races or genders. And yet in virtually every area of modern life disparities remain. Even in organisations, which have, for the most part, embraced the idea of diversity as a mainstream idea, but patterns of disparity remain rampant. Why is this?

Breakthroughs in the cognitive and neurosciences give some idea why our results seem inconsistent with our intentions. Bias is natural to the human mind, a survival mechanism that is fundamental to our identity. And overwhelmingly it is unconscious.

Incorporating anecdotes from today’s headlines alongside case studies from over 30 years as a nationally prominent diversity consultant, our guest today helps us understand how unconscious bias impacts our day-to-day lives and particularly our daily work lives. And, he answers the question: “Is there anything we can do about it?” For those of us seeking to understand and confront their own biases to human resource professionals and business leaders determined to create more bias-conscious organisations in the belief that productivity, personal happiness, and social growth are possible if we first understand the widespread and powerful nature of the biases we don’t realise we have.

The Clark Doll Experiments: https://youtu.be/PZryE2bqwdk

More about Howard here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardjross/