Creating a Level Playing Field

Creating a Level Playing Field

Lecture By: Shelley Correll, Professor of Sociology at Stanford University, Director of the Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research

Presentation Given By Women’s Influence Network at NASA Ames Research Center (March 2014)

Stereotypes• Stereotypes are widely held, generalized

beliefs about people. Stereotypes act as cognitive shortcuts when processing information and can lead to bias, or errors in decision-making.

Ways Gender Stereotypes Create Bias Against Women

• Stereotypes create a harsher standard for women. They can lead us to doubt women’s expertise. As a result, their performance is more heavily scrutinized, and they are required to repeatedly prove their competence.

Creating a Level Playing Field

Six Strategies to Reduce Bias• 1. Educate yourself and decision makers on bias.

Raising awareness can reduce reliance on stereotypes. • 2. Establish clear criteria in advance of making

decisions. • 3. Scrutinize the criteria being used. Are these the

right criteria for the decision? Or, do they unintentionally screen out certain candidates or outcomes?

Six Strategies to Reduce Bias• 4. Hold decision makers and yourself accountable.

Explain decisions about people to others. • 5. Be Transparent in progress toward goals. Post

numbers and keep track of progress. • 6. Vouch for the competence of all women,

especially women leaders. Talk about their accomplishments, skills and contributions as a means to counter bias.

Call to Action • Discuss this presentation within the next two

months with someone else. • Vouch for the competence of a woman within

your organization. Talk about her accomplishments, skills and contributions.