Unconscious Bias Training

Learn practical skills to communicate more effectively with people who have a different “cultural lens” and improve overall personal effectiveness.

Research on unconscious bias began to emerge in the mid 1990’s. The trend toward providing unconscious bias training didn’t materialize until more recently. Challenges around diversity, highlighted amid a growing lack of sensitivity to cultural differences, drove this change.

EDS training programs have always focused on the importance of providing a framework for understanding culture. Our approach is “values based.” This values approach is applicable to a broad range of interactions. It does not just dictate specific information that is useful only in certain situations.  Our research and experience show evidence that it best helps participants if they understand the visible and invisible aspects of culture. This understanding includes how culture teaches values, behaviors and perceptions.

Our training combines this baseline approach with the dynamics of unconscious bias and focuses on what we call the paradigms of unconscious bias. The paradigms of unconscious bias are the way we communicate or “our communication styles.” The way we behave is “our values driven behaviors.” Culture is one of the top influences on both of these. An unconscious bias about the way others communicate often leads to negative assumptions. Likewise, an unconscious bias about the way someone behaves or acts also often leads to negative assumptions. (Read more here.)

If a training program on diversity/inclusion and unconscious bias does not explore these paradigms, it then only looks at the impact of bias at the surface. A surface view ignores the more negative and lasting influence of biased behavior.

Any training we design for our clients goes deeper than what most companies offer in traditional unconscious bias training.

EDS training programs are skills-based. We provide tools and techniques that challenge personal bias, while allowing for developing greater understanding and providing real life tools to create inclusion. All EDS training programs are custom-designed to meet each client’s needs. All training sessions are designed based on understanding the culture of your company, the culture of the region where training is delivered and are structured to meet your desired outcomes.

In addition to other specific goals and objectives desired by our clients, sessions centered on Unconscious Bias will increase competence and lead participants to:

• Understand the definitions of diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias.
• Understand why unconscious bias occurs and what impact it has on us as individuals
• Learn the paradigms of unconscious bias and their impact at work.
• Understand how unconscious influences hiring and promotions and every day interactions at work.
• Recognize culturally based patterns of behavior and their impact on the workplace.
• Gain understanding and knowledge of what creates our own cultural lens and values and how they shape perceptions.
• Learn key tools for undoing unconscious bias and strategies for creating greater inclusion.

Contact us to get your company started today!

This curriculum is designed in collaboration with EDS President Emeritus, Donna Stringer.