How to Stop Being Biased

I have seen far too many cases where women are not promoted based on bias, where a male leader, or sometimes even another female, makes an assumption that a woman can’t be in leadership because she will leave and start a family, she doesn’t think strategically enough, or she won’t be assertive.

Have you caught yourself judging someone based on your biases? If you want to be an outstanding leader, you need to start being a great role model and be aware of your behaviors and beliefs.

Be conscious of your visceral reactions, thoughts or any judgments you have about the next three people you see.  What story immediately comes to mind?

Notice their age, clothing, skin color, and any other visible characteristics at the root of your bias and story.

Next, create a different story about what they do and who they are. Seeing other possibilities will help filter out your biases and wrong assumptions about people.

Here’s an example. You're at a dinner party and an older woman seems not to be paying much attention when you speak with her. You think she’s not taking you seriously because you are significantly younger than she is. But later, you find out from the hosts that the woman is introverted and often quiet at large parties.

-Simma Lieberman, "The Inclusionist"
Career Coach
www.simmalieberman.com