Event / Unconscious Bias with Tom Flatau virtual session

HFMA Northern branch would like to invite you to attend a virtual 60 minute learning session hosted by Tom Flatau covering the topic of Unconcious Bias.

This free session will take place on Thursday 8th February 2024 from 13:00 - 14:00

Unconscious Bias

An unconscious or cognitive bias is a systematic thinking error that causes us to make poor decisions and judgments, often taking the form of social stereotypes.

To make sense of the infinite complexity of the world, our brain has to take short-cuts, like categorising people into groups with expected traits. The downside is the potential for prejudice which can ultimately lead to unintended racial, gender and other biases.

Invisible thinking traps

Research shows that we can’t avoid being biased - it’s hard-wired into the human operatingsystem. The solution is to be aware of when biases could be at work and put in place mitigating strategies.

We create a safe environment for people to understand and take ownership of their biases.

During the session we look at some of the key biases that can lead to poor decision-making impacting your project performance.

Similarity bias: we are more likely to recruit and value the opinions of someone “like us. This leads to non-diverse, less inclusive and poorer performing teams.

Temporal discounting: we pay more attention to short-term expediency, rather than creating long- term value. This also plays havoc with our time management.

In group /out group causes siloed working, with departmental agendas and “point-scoring” taking precedence over corporate objectives and real teamwork.

Loss aversion: we over-rate risk and underrate opportunity - leading to poor investment decisions and missed opportunities.

Groupthink leads to disengagement and poor decision-making due to the desire to “fit-in” and not express unpopular views. We look at ways to ensure full inclusion so all perspectives are considered.

Key benefits

• Understand how the major systems in the brain work and can lead to poor decisions and stereotyping
• Combat the corrosive prevalence of negativity, and restore balance
• Become aware of the key touchpoints in your day when you are at the mercy of making bad decisions
• Develop awareness, strategies and habits to mitigate bias to get optimum performance from your team

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Catherine Grant via [email protected]