Unconscious Bias training with actors!
One specialist. Two actors. Three hours. And only 18 spaces.
By the end of the Unconscious Bias Training with Actors programme you will have explored:
- The filters through which we view and interpret ourselves and others (and the reliability and impact of these filters)
- Stats and facts that demonstrate the impact of unconscious bias on equity and inclusion
- The ‘hows and whys’ of unconscious bias and the concept of Daniel Kahneman’s Fast and Slow Thinking
- Types of bias: Affinity, Benevolence, Confirmation, Halo and Horns, and Groupthink
- The part micro-aggressions, micro-inequities and micro-affirmations play, and the importance of inclusive language
- How to re-frame our thinking to guard against implicit association, and stereotypes
- Our personal networks and identified opportunities to broaden our perspectives
- Top ten tips for reducing the impact of unconscious bias
- A personal action plan and have set an intention to help drive positive change
SESSION CONTENT
We are All Biased
We start by exploring the definition and mechanics of unconscious bias before exploring the statement ‘We are all biased’. Using a poignant activity called The Train Lottery, we demonstrate how as human beings, we draw upon previous experiences, stereotypes and assumptions to make seemingly harmless decisions. But which of our decisions are actually harmless, and which have consequences without us even realising it?
Drama #1: A Day in the Life
The group observe a typical interaction between two colleagues in the workplace, but things are not always what they seem. In virtual break out rooms, attendees question each character away from the other to find out how they feel and what is going on behind the scenes. When we dig a little deeper, we expose a number of stereotypes and assumptions that are impacting. The group is given an opportunity to relate this back to their own approach and working environment.
We reinforce the impact to individuals and the organisations we work in with some stats and facts from the real world.
The Tortoise and the Hare
We reflect on the relationship between implicit associations, stereotypes and individual attitudes towards others. We explore the impact that the news, commercial brands, traditions and social media has on us all. Then armed with an understanding of fast and slow thinking, we start to plot what we can do about it by bringing the unconscious into the conscious.
Drama #2: Types of Unconscious Bias
We shine a light on a number of different types of bias that are common in workplaces including Affinity, Benevolence, Confirmation, Halo and Horns, and Groupthink. Then through live drama, the group get to see some of these in action and coach the characters to re-frame their thinking for better outcomes.
Broadening Perspectives
Next, individuals are set a task that is known for its ability to create the kind of light-bulb moments that stay with you. The activity, called Connections, is designed to evaluate how affinity bias has impacted on our own world. Delegates are also signposted to an online Implicit Association test to increase self-awareness.
Together we identify ways to proactively broaden our perspectives on different groups of people in society.
Drama #3: Micro Inequities
In the third and final piece of drama we introduce micro-aggressions, micro-inequities and micro-affirmations to show how our biases can show up in a word, a glance at the clock, or in a throw-away comment in a WhatsApp group. Through fast paced interaction with the actors, the group are invited to call out the micro-behaviours that can make people feel included or not, without always being able to put your finger on why.
Round-Up & Planning for Action
Using a Menti quiz we round up the top ten tips for reducing the impact of unconscious bias in the workplace. The group is then invited to share ideas from their personal action plan before making a commitment to help drive positive change.
Please email enquiries@righttracklearning.com if you need us to raise an invoice.
Don’t just take our word for it…
“I really liked the idea of using actors to bring alive a dialogue – to make it “real” for the people attending the session. I had no idea how it would work but the gamble paid off – I will certainly use RightTrack Learning again and would recommend them to others looking for such training – well worth the cost!”
Karen Oliver, Talent Acquisition and Development Partner, UCAS
“The standard of training, the content of the courses, the presentation quality, the thought behind everything RightTrack Learning does; the support and the way they make you feel as a delegate, is top drawer in terms of professionalism, knowledge, and service care, but ultimately everyone is left with a memorable experience and an immense sense of achieving something. Invaluable in progressing our careers or just making the day job easier.”
Margo Keys, Finance Director (previous), Enterprise Inns
“The actors that they use in the sessions to act out scenarios and the way they create an open an honest environment for the attendees to be able to participate freely with feedback is completely refreshing and innovative.”