Implicit bias: What is it and how can you address it at work?

Implicit bias is a big topic in business today. It's the hidden prejudice we all have and it can cause problems in everything from hiring to sales. But what is implicit bias? How common is it? And what can you (or should you) do about it?

What is implicit bias? (And how does it differ from explicit bias?)

Implicit bias is a form of bias that occurs outside of your conscious awareness. It's an attitude or mental association you have about certain social groups and individuals. Although implicit bias is usually not something you're aware of, it can influence the way you behave toward other people.

Often called “hidden bias,” because it’s not always overt, implicit bias happens on a subconscious level, and it can be difficult to identify and change because it isn't always obvious. Implicit bias often stems from experiences we've had growing up, so even if we don’t discriminate by nature, we may have internalized some problematic stereotypes through exposure to media or repeated interactions with members of different populations.

Explicit bias, on the other hand, refers to attitudes that are conscious. Because they are often clearly visible and vocalized, explicit biases tend to be easier to identify than implicit biases. Likewise, while we have control over our explicit biases, we have little control over implicit ones. In fact, implicit biases are often so deeply ingrained in our psyche that they can be difficult to spot.

How does implicit bias affect our behavior?

Because implicit biases are unconscious attitudes or beliefs we have that are often outside of our control, they can affect our behavior without us being aware of the impact. Implicit biases can change how we see the world, which means implicit biases can also change how we react to the world – and the people in it.

Implicit biases can cause us to make assumptions about people and to treat them differently because of those assumptions. When not recognized and kept in check, implicit biases can result in discrimination.

How can I address implicit biases across my organization?

If you want to change the implicit biases across your organization, it's helpful to create an environment where employees can feel comfortable speaking up. Training sessions on how to recognize and address unconscious bias in the workplace can have a big impact. These trainings should cover:

• How implicit (and explicit) biases operate in our brains
• The ways implicit biases can influence behavior
• Strategies for overcoming implicit biases

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