Sondra Thiederman

Defeating Unconscious Bias: Your Workplace Advantage

What is the Purpose of This Program?

To provide the skills needed to reduce unconscious bias in the workplace.

How Do Biases Damage Your Workplace? 

• Biases reduce the ability to make successful hiring and promotion decisions.
• Biases discourage people of diverse backgrounds from contributing ideas and taking professional chances.
• Biases trigger the loss of valuable employees.
• Biases minimize innovation and creativity
• Biases interfere with the development of productive work teams.

Can Unconscious Biases Be Defeated?

Research has shown that all but the most deeply-rooted biases can be defeated by employing tangible techniques.

What Principles Shape Sondra’s Presentations?

• Carefully honed techniques to diffuse participant resistanceand gain audience buy-in on the topic
• Emphasis on immediately applicable skills rather than blame or guilt.
• An emphasis on personal responsibility to defeat bias
• Practical skills presented with respectful humor and audience involvement.

What Does the Program Cover?

• The definition of “bias” and explanation of how it functions to distort our perceptions
• Examples of how conscious and unconscious bias impacts our ability to lead and work effectively
• Two devices for becoming aware of one’s unconscious biases
• Techniques for using the power of the pause to manage bias
• Strategies for using logic to weaken the foundation of bias
• Strategies for reducing both conscious and implicit bias by identifying the Common Ground we share with colleagues, customers, and clients
• Techniques for defeating bias by “Acting as If…” it doesn’t exist.

Gateways to Inclusion: Turning Tense Moments Into Productive Conversations

What Is the Purpose of This Program?

To provide the skills needed to convert moments of diversity-related tension into better working relationships.

Why Is This Program Needed?

Have you ever been offended by someone’s comments but didn’t know what to do about it? Or, maybe you said something insensitive yourself and didn’t know how to take it back. If so, welcome to the crowd.

Unfortunately, moments like these of diversity-related tension are all-too-common. Sadly, they cause confusion, embarrassment, anger, lost work time, hurt feelings, and resentment – the list goes on and on.

The good news is: It doesn’t have to be that way. If handled properly, these events can serve as gateways to increased understanding and better working relationships. That’s why Sondra calls these “Gateway Events.”

What Does This Program Cover?

• A survey of the types of moments of tension that can be resolved if the proper skills are applied.
• Skills to manage the emotions that block our ability to dialogue with respect and clarity.
• Guidance on how to set productive goals for each conversation – and how to achieve those goals.
• How to handle the dilemma of intent versus impact.
• How to make the kind of respectful verbal choices that encourage rather than shut down productive conversation.

How Will You Benefit from This Program?

• Management time saved from having to intervene in diversity-related conflicts.
• Increased teamwork and workplace harmony.
• Less tension among team members.
• Increased employee retention as a result of an increased atmosphere of respect.
• Reduced risk of employee complaints and litigation.

Cultivating Common Ground: The Other Side of the Inclusion Coin

What Is the Purpose of This Program?

To provide the tools for defeating bias and enhancing the workplace by identifying and cultivating shared values, goals, and interests in a diverse workplace.

Is There a Contradiction Between Valuing Diversity and Cultivating Common Ground?

No. Valuing differences and noticing what we have in common are simultaneous attitudes that greatly enhance any workplace.

What Does Research Say About the Value of Cultivating Common Ground While Valuing Diversity?

• Cultivating Common Ground reduces conscious and unconscious bias by modifying the way perceive others.
• Cultivating Common Ground increases trust and, thereby, encourages the sharing of innovative ideas.
• Cultivating Common Ground encourages harmony among team members and allows for closer, more effective, working relationships.

What Does This Program Cover?

• Background on the importance of both valuing diversity and identifying Common Ground.
• How focusing on commonalities in the workplace reduces conscious and unconscious bias.
• The benefits of focusing on commonalities in the workplace including increased trust, enhanced innovation, and reduced bias.
• The values that all human beings – regardless of background – share.
• Specific skills and strategies for both identifying and cultivating Common Ground in the workplace. These include:
  • How to keep Common Ground top of mind
  • How to encourage and structure productive inter-group contact
  • How to develop two-way mentor partnerships
  • How to develop Employee Resource Groups around shared needs and goals

How Will You Benefit from This Program?

• Reduced conscious and unconscious bias
• Increased workplace comfort and trust
• Increased employee willingness to speak up with ideas and information
• Increased empathy between team members
• Increased opportunities for innovation and creativity

Testimonials

“Sondra’s perspective and her ideas about diversity are new and refreshing. That, coupled with her engaging, energetic delivery style, made our conference a success. She did a fabulous job.”
– Jo Jerman Vice-President, Southeast Business Group, Merck ‘ Co., Inc.

“The enthusiasm Sondra generated carried throughout the entire conference and back into the workplace. She allowed us to look at ourselves without fear and gave us a clear route to increased effectiveness.”
– Janet Peterson, U.S. Department of Agriculture

“You inspired and educated with a sense of fun our audience of over 400 people. Your address made a lasting impression. It will make a real difference in our workplace.”
– Rebecca E. Steele, Director, OD and Training, SteinMart

“Following her inspiring keynote address, Sondra worked with other panel members, including Dick Cheney, to lead the group of top executives in a discussion of cutting edge diversity topics. Without exception, the audience gave her excellent evaluations. I could not have been more pleased.”
– Frances Emerson, Former Director, Communications, Honeywell, Inc.

“Your broad experience, humor, and ability to create a safe environment for honest discussion made the program a success.”
– Debby Selke, Vice-President, Chase Bank of Texas

“Your wonderful style and practical content contributed in a big way to our diversity efforts. People continue to say wonderful things about your presentation.”
– Clayton H. Osborne, Director, Diversity, Bausch ‘ Lomb