Program Overview

Pre-work

Complete the Harvard Implicit Association Test (“IAT”) on unconscious bias to understand your own personal placement vis-a-vis issues of race, gender, culture and language. This is a very quick exercise which provides insights into how you see others as well as an understanding of the depth of entrenchment of your individual biases.

Module 1: Getting to know you

The facilitator will discuss ground rules for the session then conduct an icebreaker. The introductory activity will help you familiarize with the concept of diversity and connect with each other by sharing one distinct dimension of diversity that is essential to everyone's worldview.

Module 2: Definition of terminology

This module will define bias, stereotypes and other related terminology as well as examine the sources, levels and types of bias that affect the workplace. The intent here is to create a common shared lexicon and understanding of what creates bias and how biases are triggered.

Module 3: Brain science and bias

This module will examine how our brains process information, the influence of our perceptions and what informs our paradigms when interacting with others. We will also review the experience of the Harvard IAT. Participants will share their experience and discuss what their key takeaways were from that exercise.

Module 4: The impact of bias: discrimination and microaggressions

A video case study is used to help illustrate the cyclicality of bias (both conscious and unconscious) and its behavioural impacts. Discrimination and microaggressions are presented as two main manifestations of bias.

Module 5: Strategies to manage bias

We will discuss practical strategies to mitigate bias.

Handout

You will receive a handout which will help to build a personal action plan that you can act on after completion of the program.