Battling Intolerance One Conversation at a Time

We all occasionally hear comments potentially driven by intolerance or bias. They often come without warning, sometimes from someone you really like. This article is about how to react. Research suggests that managers and employees alike are often loath to tackle uncomfortable topics. However, when formal company programs discourage bias, but everyday interactions allow or even encourage it, bias lives on. The good news is that the small everyday moments of potential intolerance are wonderful opportunities to tackle the problem of bias and discrimination in the workplace. What we are calling for is engagement, which doesn’t involve shaming or blaming. The goal is one of perspective-taking, which can make a difference without creating conflict. Engaging can have a positive impact in terms of cultivating empathy, increasing understanding, fostering speaker insight, and setting an example for bystanders. While formal training programs that address equity, diversity, and inclusion issues are helpful, they rarely have the reach required to fight intolerance where it breeds—at the micro level. Workplaces that are effective at micro-level engagement may get fewer complaints about bias. In addition, when employees feel psychologically safe and valued, they are more likely to share their thoughts and idea, which can lead to higher levels of productivity, innovation, and adaptability.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Fostering workplace engagement, Battling bias, Teaching tolerance