© 2007, International Training and Development, LLC Communicating Respectfully in a Diverse World.

© 2007, International Training and Development, LLC

OUCH! THAT STEREOTYPE HURTSCommunicating Respectfully

in a Diverse World

Diversity Day: The Office

GOALS FOR THIS SESSION Explore communication skills for promoting

inclusion and respect in the workplace

Have FUN while learning about Stereotypes

Walk away with the understanding and

tools to mitigate Stereotypes from your

office (and outside the office)

“Communication provides the

legs for bias, carrying it

from person to person,

from generation to generation.

Eventually, however,

communication

will be the way to end

discrimination.”

“Communication provides the

legs for bias, carrying it

from person to person,

from generation to generation.

Eventually, however,

communication

will be the way to end

discrimination.”

– John N. BaileyABC, Exec. Director,

International Association of Business Communicators

– John N. BaileyABC, Exec. Director,

International Association of Business Communicators

AGENDA/OBJECTIVES Understand the impact of stereotypes

and biased statements, even when casually said

Identify the most common reasons people sit silent in the face of bias and stereotypes

Enhance skills for speaking up against stereotypes without blame or guilt

OUTLINE Stereotypes

Three Different Types Examples

Watch “Ouch!” Video Ouch! Discussion

Speaking Up: Six Techniques Definitions

STEREOTYPE: DEFINITIONSTEREOTYPE: DEFINITION An oversimplified image or

statement applied to a whole group

of people, without regard for the

individual.

Generally speaking, these

"stereotypes" are not based on

objective truth, but rather subjective

and often unverifiable content-

matter.

EXAMPLE OF A STEREOTYPE

WHY DO WE STEREOTYPE

Three Reasons We Stereotype

Mental Categorizing/Labeling General Types or Sub Types Automatic or Subconscious

MENTAL CATEGORIZING/LABELING Sociologists believe that mental

categorizing (or labeling) is necessary and inescapable.

One perspective on how to understand stereotyping process is through the categories or ingroups and outgroups.

Ingroups are viewed as normal and superior, and are generally the group that one associates with or aspires to join.

An outgroup is simply all the other groups. They are seen as lesser or inferior than the ingroups.

GENERAL TYPES OR SUB TYPES Stereotypes consist of hierarchical systems

consisting of broad and specific groups being the general types and sub-types respectively.

A general type could be defined as a broad stereotype typically known among many people and usually widely accepted, whereas the sub-group would be one of the several groups making up the general group.

These would be more specific, and opinions of these groups would vary according to differing perspectives.

AUTOMATIC OR SUBCONSCIOUS Automatic or subconscious

stereotyping is that which everyone does without noticing.

Automatic stereotyping is quickly preceded by an implicit or conscious check which permits time for any needed corrections.

Automatic stereotyping is affected by implicit stereotyping because frequent conscious thoughts will quickly develop into subconscious stereotypes.

WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?

SANITATION WORKERS

WHO IS HE?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT

WHO IS SHE?

DOCTOR WHO HELPS TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS

FIND PEACE

WHO IS SHE?

PREACHER/CLERGY WOMAN

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

TWO FEMALE MECHANICS

WHO IS HE?

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

WHO IS HE?

REGISTERED NURSE/PhD STUDENT

WHO IS SHE?

FUGITIVE/SEX SLAVE TRAFFICKER

PARTICIPATION TIMEDescribe a Time When You…Describe a Time When You…

…were exposed to stereotypes in media (TV, movie, music, etc). What message did it send?

…when you have been the recipient or target of a stereotype? How did that affect you?

…when you have witnessed someone else being stereotyped? What did you do?

BIAS: DEFINITION Bias is a predisposition to see events, people or items in a positive or negative way.

Bias is an attitude or belief.

“The simple act of naming a

bias as such

or objecting to it on the spot

establishes

a social atmosphere that

discourages it:

saying nothing serves to

condone it.”

“The simple act of naming a

bias as such

or objecting to it on the spot

establishes

a social atmosphere that

discourages it:

saying nothing serves to

condone it.”

– Daniel GolemanEmotional Intelligence

– Daniel GolemanEmotional Intelligence

STEREOTYPESPHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

HISPANICAFRICAN AMERICANS

MENELDERLY

GLBTsASIAN AMERICANS

WOMENNATIVE AMERICANS

GENERATION-XOBESE

NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES Negative effects may include forming

inaccurate opinions of people, scapegoating, erroneously judgmentalism, preventing emotional identification, distress, and impaired performance.

Over time, some victims of negative stereotypes display self-fulfilling prophecy behavior, in which they assume that the stereotype represents norms to emulate.

NEGATIVE STEREOTYPESPossible prejudicial effects of

stereotypes are: Justification of ill-founded prejudices or

ignorance Unwillingness to rethink one's attitudes

and behavior towards stereotyped group Preventing some people of stereotyped

groups from entering or succeeding in activities or fields

SILENT COLLUSION

To go along with through silence.

Ally:Ally:

Someone who speaks up on behalf of someone else.

“We will have to repent in

this

generation not merely for the

hateful words and actions

of the bad people

but for the appalling

silence of the good people.”

“We will have to repent in

this

generation not merely for the

hateful words and actions

of the bad people

but for the appalling

silence of the good people.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Watch OUCH! That Stereotype

Hurts Video

OUCH! DISCUSSION1. Do you ever hear similar stereotypes

or biased comments? In this organization?

2. Why do individuals sometimes remain silent in the face of stereotypes or other demeaning comments? Share experiences and examples.

3. How does this video relate to you? Do you see yourself reflected in any way?

SPEAKING UP:SIX TECHNIQUES

Assume Good Intent and Explain Impact

Ask a Question

Interrupt and Redirect

Broaden to Universal Human Behavior

Make It Individual

Say Ouch!

ASSUME GOOD INTENT AND EXPLAIN

IMPACTAssume good intent and approach the person as a rational human being. When you assume the best, there is no need for blame.

EXAMPLES: “I know you mean well, but that

hurts.” “Look I know you meant that

comment to be funny, but it hurts.”

ASK A QUESTIONChoose a simple, non-blaming

question. The key is to assume good intent.

EXAMPLES: “What do you mean?” “Do you mean that?” “I’m sorry, what was that

again?”

INTERRUPT AND REDIRECTInterrupting and redirecting

changes the direction of the conversation abruptly, without requiring further discussion.

EXAMPLES: “Whoa, let’s not go down that

road.” “Careful there, let’s not

assume things.”

BROADEN TO UNIVERSAL HUMAN

BEHAVIORSometimes people attribute a common human behavior to only one group, and then they stereotype the whole group as though everyone is identical.

EXAMPLE: “I don’t think it’s just a man thing.

I think it applies to both men and women.”

MAKE IT INDIVIDUAL

Often, people are clumped together in a stereotype. This approach breaks through the clumping and narrows it down to an individual.

EXAMPLE: “Who exactly are you referring

to when you say that?”

SAY OUCH!

Sometimes you may not have the energy or you’re too stunned to say anything or just can’t think of what to say. Then just say, “OUCH!”

EXAMPLE: “Ouch! That stereotype hurts.” “Ouch! Why must you say that?”

SPEAKING UP DISCUSSION1. Which technique(s) do you personally

prefer? In what types of situations would you use these techniques?

2. Which situations are most difficult for you? How do you respond? What is the impact of sitting silent?

3. How can you increase your comfort, confidence and skill in speaking up in these situations?

“I am only one; but I am

still one.

I cannot do everything,

but still I can do

something.

I will not refuse to do

the something I can do.”

“I am only one; but I am

still one.

I cannot do everything,

but still I can do

something.

I will not refuse to do

the something I can do.”– Helen Keller– Helen Keller

SKILLS PRACTICE1. What is the impact of this statement

if left unaddressed?

2. Will you speak up……now or later?…in public or in private?…on your own or with the help of an Ally?

3. Which technique(s) can you use to speak up without blaming or shaming the other person?

“We must be the

change

we want to see in

the world.”

“We must be the

change

we want to see in

the world.”– Mahatma Gandhi– Mahatma Gandhi

© 2007, International Training and Development,

LLC

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

International Training and Development, LLCwww.OuchThatStereotypeHurts.com Produced and Distributed by Joel

Leskowitz SunShower Learningwww.Ouch-Video.com

International Training and Development, LLCwww.OuchThatStereotypeHurts.com Produced and Distributed by Joel

Leskowitz SunShower Learningwww.Ouch-Video.com

Based on the book by Leslie C. AguilarBased on the book by Leslie C. Aguilar

Ken [email protected]

NWS Memphis

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