Unconscious Bias Training With Actors
Available As:
In-house training
- Face-to-face (Half or full day for <15 people)
- Live virtual (3hrs for <15 people)
- Conferences and events (<500 people)
- Webinar (1hr for <1000 people)
- With or without actors
- Fully customisable
Unconscious Bias Training with Actors
There are numerous studies reporting the impact of unconscious bias on day-to-day interactions; people are treated differently, and not exclusively, because of their gender, race, sexual orientation, weight, height, hair colour and even because of their handshake. As a result, organisations are missing out on cohesive teams, outstanding performance, creativity, attraction, selection and retention of talent…
This session is guided by a specialist and enhanced by two professional actors. We stimulate emotion, penetrate the long-term memory and act as a catalyst for lasting change.
Course 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 groups, 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.
Let's Talk!
We’re advocates of crafting tailormade solutions that ensure you meet objectives and maximise budgets. Contact us to book a meeting to scope the right solution for your organisation, together.
What About Actors?
Through clever script writing, goose-bump inducing delivery and professional facilitation we can bring so much to life. We stimulate emotion, penetrate the long-term memory and create lasting change.
When we use live drama, we are able to have the actors play out the scenario and then be hot seated for the audience to ask them questions whilst they remain in character. Hot seating works so well because actors work with a pre-rehearsed backstory, so they are able to respond in character. They progressively reveal unexpected elements of their story that will not have previously been told. It can bust assumptions that the audience might have made based on the scenario (situation) but not fully understanding the impact at first sight.
Using actors in this programme enables us to bring to:
- Bring both the subtle, and not so subtle, inappropriate behaviours to life, literally
- Provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the fine line between what is and isn’t acceptable
- Give attendees a chance to challenge the actors whilst they are still in character
- Demonstrate that things aren’t always what they seem at first glance
- Provide delegates with an opportunity to test out alternative ways of approaching what can often be sensitive situations
- Create a goosebump-inducing learning experience that sticks in the long-term memory
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Marco Ellis
Environment Standards Manager, Govia Thames Railway“It was good at highlighting methods for us to be aware of our short-comings – in terms of prejudice and unconscious bias, and how to make sure we overcome them and not let them overcloud our judgement.”
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