Stereotypes – Skills – Inclusion
Posted on May 01, 2023 by Neha Phull, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
Our unconscious bias can be one of the biggest roadblocks towards creating an inclusive household, team, organization, nation & planet!
Let us ignore for now where the bias comes from, and focus instead on what we can do today—as individuals in our various roles—to promote inclusivity. Our own well-being will benefit as much as that of our colleagues and friends.
When we assign roles to people around us, it can tend to be one of three reasons:- The experience we have had with them
- Potential we see in them
- Most importantly our assumptions based on stereotypes
The assumptions we hold as true as a fact, as these are widely accepted behaviours! The price we pay for stereotyping:- Opportunities lost
- Limits capacity to perform
- Impedes progress
Overcoming stereotypes:
- Educate. Educate. Educate.
- Teams can plan #policies to meet the needs of all genders
- Purposefully discuss and speak out about unconscious bias
- Discourage casual remarks that are based on stereotypes.
- Change the definition of “business as usual.” Begin operating from a #mindfully inclusive space
- Accept your imperfections, commit and vouch to learn together
- Empower people to neither act/receive discrimination, nor remain silent when witnessing stereotypical behaviour
Thinking and intentionally creating an inclusive #mindset in a team is not a luxury reserved just for high-earning and profit-heavy organizations. Inclusion IS the way to #excellence all teams are seeking. How? - When you identify the uniqueness of your people and what they bring to the table- When you offer them the platform to be their authentic selves and perform at their best capacity
- When you recognize their different needs and create an #environment where those needs are valued and respected
- When you create a safe space of expression for leaders and their teams
- When you assign roles intentionally without unconscious biases
- When you lose the sheep #mentality and think differently.
- When you celebrate diversity and bring the best of all worlds together to achieve greatness
Go Ahead, make inclusiveness your Way of Life!
