Speak Up and be Heard | Managing Microaggressions

Context

Cognitive bias can lead to types of communication which can be considered as microaggressions.

Corporate environments flourish when diversity is embraced and leveraged to positively impact relations and business as a whole.

Unconsciously, sometimes consciously, words are expressed in such a way as to feel insensitive and inappropriate.

How can you avoid these situations or speak up when it happens? How can you navigate the pitfalls to maximise your relationships?

Outcomes

Recognizing our own assumptions and biases and how they influence our behavior.

Recognizing the impact of words, which could be deemed as innocent, on others and ourselves. Recognizing systemic and structural inequalities.

Embedding strategies that allow to execute “microaggression” mapping and create psychologically safe environments where everyone can be their unique selves.

Knowing when and how to best apply a strategy depending on the professional situation.

Before & After

Before

I wasn’t sure about what I could or couldn’t say in certain interactions. It led me to lose some authenticity and feel uncomfortable. I have also undergone what I consider being a microaggression but never felt confident enough to bring it up and it’s happened again ever since.

→

After

I have clarity on how to approach certain situations and feel liberated better understanding the communication boundaries I should observe all the while embracing psychological safety. I can now speak up when it happens to me in a constructive manner. It helps interactions with my internal and external stakeholders.