Bias Busters
Assuming someone is a great leader because they are charismatic and outgoing is an example of this bias.
What is the Halo Effect?
In Spanish-speaking cultures, people often have two last names, the first from their father and the second from this family member.
Who is the Mother?
In Japan, bowing instead of shaking hands is a common greeting, with lower bows signaling this.
What is greater respect?
In Japan, it is considered rude to do this while walking down the street.
What is eating or drinking?
In China, wrapping a gift in white paper instead of red is avoided because white symbolizes this.
What is death or mourning
A hiring manager assumes a candidate is less qualified because they have a foreign-sounding name.
What is the name bias?
Many Chinese names start with this, which comes before the given name.
Giving a thumbs-up is positive in the U.S. but can be offensive in this Middle Eastern country.
What is Iran?
If you visit France, avoid asking someone what they do for a living right away, as it may seem this.
What is too personal or rude?
In Hindu tradition, the swastika is a symbol of this, despite its negative Western associations.
What is good fortune and prosperity?
A leader unconsciously favors employees who share their same background or interests.
What is the affinity bias?
In Arabic cultures, "Abu" before a name often signifies this.
What is "father of" (a son’s name, signifying respect or lineage)?
In the Philippines, pointing with the finger is considered rude. Instead, people commonly point using this.
what are lips or chin?
In many Latin American cultures, showing up late to a social gathering is considered this.
What is normal or expected?
In the Cusco area of Peru passing someone a knife directly without setting it on the table means this
What is bad luck or severing the relationship?
Someone claims they "don’t see color" and assumes treating everyone exactly the same is the best approach to inclusion.
What is the colorblind bias?
In Ethiopia and Eritrea, people do not inherit their father’s surname. Instead, their last name is typically this.
What is their father’s first name?
In India, a quick downward head bobble (side-to-side nod) usually means this.
What is agreement?
If you give a gift in China, avoid wrapping it in this color, which symbolizes death.
What is white?
In Hindu culture, the sound “Om” is considered sacred and represents this.
What is the universe, creation, or the essence of ultimate reality?
A senior executive repeatedly interrupts a junior female colleague in meetings but doesn’t do the same to male colleagues.
What is gender bias or microaggressions?
The Nigerian name "Chinwe" means this, reflecting a common theme in Igbo names.
What is 'God owns' or 'God's gift'?
In El Salvador, tapping your elbow with your opposite hand usually means this about someone.
What is that they are cheap or stingy
In Russia, if you plan to bring flowers as a gift, always bring an odd number of flowers because even numbers are associated with this.
What is funerals?
In Turkey, blue glass evil eye charms (nazar) are commonly used to do this.
To protect against evil eye and bad luck