Written By Nancy LaFarge, HNTB

On July 15, 2021 the WTS Boston Diversity Committee and Professional Development Committee co-hosted a session entitled Unconscious Bias: 50 Ways To Fight Back moderated by Lydia Grose, VP and Philadelphia Office Executive at Michael Baker International and President of COMTO Philadelphia.

This interactive session was based on the free “50 Ways To Fight Bias” digital program developed by the Lean In organization. Shilpa Sen kicked off the meeting by initiating the dialogue about unconscious bias and the Lean In program format, then Ali Mattson introduced our moderator, Lydia Grose to the attendees.

Lydia shared a video describing different types of bias, which include Unconscious, Performance, Attribution, Likeability, Maternal, and Affinity Bias. Lydia then discussed bias in the workplace, microaggressions, and the intersectionality of bias.

Lydia encouraged participants to share their thoughts in breakout rooms using a series of ice breakers. She joined each of the breakout rooms in turn to provide feedback and pose thoughtful, probing questions. Many expressed surprise that some of their initial assumptions about bias did not match the research results.

After the breakouts, Lydia debriefed the larger group and challenged us to examine our own responses, and to proactively develop our own plans to fight bias in our workplaces and in our lives. She concluded with a call to action – awareness is just the first step, but it is not enough – speak up, find your allies, point out patterns that need to be changed, “iron sharpens iron”, because when we support each other we all rise.

Thanks to all the volunteers from both committees who helped to coordinate this event, including Shilpa Sen, Megha Parameswaraiah, Ali Love, and Ali Mattson, and special thanks to Lydia Grose for such a thought-provoking conversation.