leaders in action for justice: blind spots exercise

8/12/2019 Leaders in Action for Justice: Blind Spots Exercise

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925

LeadershipDevelopment

Conference


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EXPERIENCED DRIVER!


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BLIND SPOTS

Blind spots completely hide any objectcompletely positioned within them from the

driver's normal field of vision.


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QUICK LOOK OVER SHOULDER

Type Content Here


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EARLY WARNING SYSTEM


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BLIND SPOTS/HIDDEN BIASES

Blind spot is a metaphor to capture thatportion of the mind that houses hidden

biases.


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TODAY

Potential Blind Spots in Leadership

Warning Systems

Behavior Modification

Impact on Outcomes


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YOU IN A BLIND SPOT

Have you ever been in someones blindspot?

Do you have a suspicion on why you were

in their blind spot?

Was there an early warning system?


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HIDDEN BIASES IN OUR WORK

Social Group Membership Categories Age

Gender

Race

Ethnicity

Religion

Social class

Sexuality

Disability status

Nationality


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YOUR BLIND SPOTS/BIASES

On a sheet of paper, recount the membersthat you have identified or contacted

within the last 6 months to a year.

Reflect on your own selection process (not

the people/who) for how you identified

members and some possible blind spots

that could have affected your

identification and engagement.


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YOUR BLIND SPOTS/BIASES

Where do you see yourself being onautomatic when you were engaging with

other members?

What were some of your blind

spots/biases that you have uncovered?

What groups of potential member/leaders

might you have missed because of these

blind spots/biases?


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Committee Chair: Responsible forstrategic plan and direction of the

committee.

Matthew

Committee Note taker: Responsible for

taking notes and administrative

functions of the committee.

Sarah

David, a chapter president who has been elected to office

for several terms, was faced with one of the most

challenging contract campaigns the members have ever

fought. David asked for volunteers among his fellowleaders to take on responsibilities and roles related to

contract negotiations. Leaders: Sarah, Matthew, Hilda,

and Ahmed were very nervous about the campaign but

committed to participating, leading, and taking on roles;

everyone at the meeting volunteered to serve on the

committee. Excited about everyones participation, David

made the following committee assignments:


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NOW WHAT?

Blind spots present such a large hazard (onthe road when driving and to equity and

inclusion in organizations), you must remain

completely aware of your and others' blind

spots, and deal with them properly.

What can you do differently?


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SIMPLE METHOD

As leader in your union, you can follow thissimple method for eliminating blind spots

(individually and organizationally):

Raise your awareness of the toporganizational blind spots.

Don't identify and select in your own

image.

Examine your past history.

Understand your habits.


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leaders in action for justice: blind spots exercise

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