This interactive professional development course explores the concept of unconscious bias and its impact on workplace dynamics, decision-making, and organizational culture. Through engaging exercises, real-world case studies, and reflective activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how implicit attitudes shape perceptions and behaviors — often without conscious awareness. The course empowers learners to recognize their own biases, understand their origins, and develop strategies to mitigate their effects in professional settings. Participants will leave with actionable tools to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace.
Learning Objectives
- Define unconscious bias and distinguish it from explicit bias
- Identify how unconscious bias manifests in workplace behaviors and decisions
- Recognize the role of schemas and automatic processing in shaping perceptions
- Analyze real-world examples of bias in hiring, evaluation, and team interactions
- Reflect on personal biases using structured exercises like the “Circle of Trust”
- Apply the “5 Things to Know” framework to understand the nature and impact of bias
- Demonstrate awareness of microaggressions and practice respectful communication
- Utilize the Four Stages of Competence to assess and guide personal growth
- Develop and commit to a personalized action plan to reduce bias in professional roles
- Access and use tools like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to continue learning beyond the session
Major Topics
- Introduction to Unconscious Bias
- The “5 Things To Know” Framework
- Schemas and Mental Shortcuts
- Types of Unconscious Bias
- Bias in Action: Workplace Impacts
- Microaggressions and Language
- The Four Stages of Competence
- Strategies for Change
- Tools and Resources
