Our brains are naturally wired for efficient information processing, but when these mental shortcuts are applied to people, they can lead to unconscious or implicit bias. This comprehensive course, featuring insights from bestselling author and psychologist Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt, delves into the brain functions that cause bias and illuminates the real, harmful consequences of unintentional bias in professional settings, impacting productivity, morale, and retention.

You will gain a thorough understanding of five common types of unconscious bias: affinity bias, the tendency to favour those similar to oneself; perception bias, which involves forming assumptions or stereotypes about specific groups of people; confirmation bias, where one seeks information that reinforces existing beliefs; groupthink, the inclination to conform to group opinions; and the halo and horns effect, where a single positive or negative trait overshadows all others. Discover how these biases can manifest as fixed recruiting and hiring patterns, stifled creativity and innovation, unfair performance evaluations, unequal opportunities, and arbitrary growth opportunities within your organisation.

Crucially, this course provides practical strategies to break free from these ingrained mental habits, fostering a more productive, engaging, and inclusive workplace. You will learn how to recognise and identify your own biases through self-monitoring, solicit accountability from others, actively counter stereotypical imaging, focus on individuals by seeking unique details, and practise perspective-taking to better understand others' viewpoints. The course emphasises that while bias is an inherent human characteristic, acting on it is not inevitable; by slowing down and reflecting before responding, you can prevent biases from translating into harmful behaviour. By bringing awareness to unintentional assumptions, you can effectively address and overcome the effects of implicit bias, promoting equity, inclusion, and belonging for everyone, leading to mutual benefits and collective improvement.