Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2024 - 17

UPSKILLING
BREAKING BIAS: EMPOWERING L&D LEADERS TO
FOSTER INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
BY DR. GIHAN ABUELELA
In the ever-evolving landscape of
corporate
learning
and
development
(L&D) initiatives, fostering inclusive
environments stands as a paramount
objective. L&D leaders find themselves
at the forefront of this transformative
journey, tasked with dismantling ingrained
unconscious biases within these
settings. Unconscious bias remains a
pervasive challenge with far-reaching
consequences, and recognizing its
impact on decision-making and the
effectiveness of diversity, equity and
inclusion (DEI) initiatives is crucial.
This article explores the intricacies
of unconscious bias in corporate
L&D initiatives, shedding light on
its manifestations and providing
strategies for L&D leaders to foster
truly inclusive spaces.
UNDERSTANDING
UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
Before delving into the nuanced world
of
unconscious
acknowledge
bias,
it's
crucial
to
the pervasive influence
of these deeply ingrained biases,
rooted in societal and cultural narratives.
Unconscious bias can surface in
corporate L&D environments, influencing
perceptions and interactions.
Recognizing and addressing unconscious
bias is foundational to dismantling barriers
that may impede the learning journey.
Unconscious bias within corporate
L&D initiatives can manifest in various
ways, impacting subjects like gender,
cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic
status, preferred learning styles and
even unconscious bias by the leaders
themselves. Identifying and dismantling
these biases is essential to creating
an environment where all learners feel
valued and included.
One example of how unconscious bias
can arise in an L&D context might be when
a training manager, influenced by genderbased
bias, provides more resources
and opportunities to men, assuming they
are more suited for leadership roles,
while overlooking equally (or more)
qualified women.
the prefrontal cortex, responsible for
decision-making, play crucial roles
in shaping unconscious biases. As
individuals encounter new information,
the brain often relies on pre-existing
stereotypes and patterns to make
rapid judgments, leading to the
unintentional formation of biases.
NEURAL SHORTCUTS AND
COGNITIVE EFFICIENCY
The brain's reliance on neural
shortcuts contributes to unconscious
bias. These mental shortcuts enable
quick decision-making but may lead to
oversimplified and biased assessments
of others.
IDENTIFYING AND
DISMANTLING
THESE BIASES IS
ESSENTIAL TO
CREATING AN
ENVIRONMENT
WHERE ALL
LEARNERS FEEL
VALUED AND
INCLUDED.
* Emotional influences: Our emotions
impact how we perceive and
respond to the world around us;
how we interpret and, subsequently,
judge the actions of others.
The amygdala's involvement in
emotional processing contributes to
bias formation. Positive or negative
emotional associations can influence
decision-making, often without
conscious awareness.
THE NEUROSCIENCE OF
UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
Unconscious bias is deeply ingrained
in the human brain, reflecting the
brain's natural tendency to categorize
information for more efficient
processing. The amygdala, a key
player in emotional responses, and
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - SPRING 2024 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
* Confirmation bias: The brain
has a natural inclination to seek
information that confirms preexisting
beliefs. This confirmation
bias reinforces and perpetuates
unconscious biases over time.
For example, if you unconsciously
believe that men make better
leaders than women, you are likely
to ignore evidence that contradicts
that belief - while noticing and
internalizing evidence that agrees
with it.
17

https://biasinsideus.si.edu/online-exhibition/the-science-of-bias https://biasinsideus.si.edu/online-exhibition/the-science-of-bias https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/gender-bias-in-the-workplace https://builtin.com/diversity-inclusion/gender-bias-in-the-workplace https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-dei/ https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-dei/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/personalization-and-learning-pathways/learner-preferences/ https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine

Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2024

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