In many organizations, a disconnect exists between employees' perceptions of bias and their leaders' recognition of it. Research by Kellogg's Maryam Kouchaki and colleagues [READ IT HERE] reveals that those in positions of power are often blind to inequities within their own organizations, despite acknowledging such issues elsewhere. This blindness stems from a deep identification with their organization, leading managers to maintain a positive self-image by believing their workplace is equitable.
For instance, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff initially dismissed claims of pay inequality within his company, believing their strong culture made such issues impossible. However, upon being presented with evidence, Benioff took corrective action. This scenario is common, as leaders frequently resist DEI initiatives, not out of malice, but because their role and organizational identification prevent them from recognizing internal problems.
The research involved analyzing surveys of over 60,000 federal employees and conducting experiments with nearly 1,000 participants. The findings consistently showed that managers report less perceived inequity in their organizations compared to non-managers. Interestingly, while managers are capable of recognizing bias in other organizations, they struggle to see it within their own, indicating a form of perceptual tunnel vision.
This blindness can have real consequences, such as reduced support for diversity initiatives. In one study, managers allocated 19% less funding to diversity programs compared to non-managers. However, when prompted to recall instances of bias within their workplace, managers became 30% more likely to support these initiatives.
To combat this bias, Kouchaki suggests that leaders should actively seek out and address potential inequities. By being mindful and intentional, managers can overcome their perceptual barriers and ensure that their organizations truly foster equity and inclusion. Recognizing that bias can occur anywhere is the first step toward creating a fairer workplace.