TIP #1: Use amplification to gain parity and power
Amplification is the process of causing an increase in volume or amount. It was used as a strategy by women in the White House to fight gender bias. Research shows women get interrupted more, are given less credit or penalized for speaking out. In White House meetings, “when a woman made a key point, other women would repeat it, giving credit to its author… forcing men in the room to recognize the contribution.”
To all those with less power – there is strength in numbers!
Reference: The amazing tool that women in the White House used to fight gender bias - Vox
TIP #2: A Contrarion or Devil’s Advocate role can foster equity on your Team
The Contrarion or Devil’s Advocate role is where an individual is assigned to be the critic of the proposed decision or widely-held viewpoint. Having a role for a member to express diverging opinions and alternate perspectives can combat group think and expose limitations and unconscious biases. The result can be high-quality decision-making that is innovative and equitable.
Remember: “The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” - Albert Einstein
TIP #3: Before taking action, ask yourself, “What barriers might this person be up against.”
This question is an example of perspective-taking, which is taking a mental walk in someone else’s shoes. In one experiment, participants wrote a few sentences imagining specific challenges a person with a marginalized identity might face. This increased their internal motivation to respond without prejudice toward the marginalized group and pro-diversity attitudes that persisted eight months later.
Reference: Lindsey A, King E, Hebl M, & Levine N. (2015). The impact of method, motivation, and empathy on diversity training effectiveness. Journal of Business and Psychology, 30(3), 605-617.