Breaking Down Unconscious Bias with Conscious Thought

Have you ever been the victim of unconscious bias and felt the sting of unintentional discriminatory behavior?

None of us wake up in the morning and say, “I’m going to show my bias today”. But unfortunately it happens.

Not only have I been on the receiving end of unconscious bias, but I have unintentionally demonstrated biases of my own which have caused friction in the workplace, with friendships, and in my personal life.

I realized the only way to battle unconscious behavior is with conscious thought. To help in this area, I practice the following EQ behaviors:

1. Emotional Self-Awareness: I am more aware of how my words and actions impact those around me.

2. Self Regulation: I aim to keep disruptive emotions under control.

3. Social Awareness: I am sensitive to the emotions of others, understanding their perspective, and taking an active interest in their concerns.

By being more self-aware, I’ve been able to keep my unconscious biases in check!