#EveryLittleActionCounts Week 18: Become Impartial!
This week is a call to foster impartiality. Being impartial requires us to cultivate an attitude and behavior that allows for fair and non-judgemental decision-making, interaction and communication with others.
“Impartiality is to accept that we are partial.”
– Raheel Farooq
There are various ways in which we can become impartial in our workplaces:
Reflection and Self-Awareness: Regularly reflect on your thoughts, decisions, and actions to identify bias and avoid prejudice. Practice mindfulness and journaling to develop awareness of your unconscious biases.
Embracing Differences: Accept the multifaceted and dynamic world within which we are all unique individuals. Do not expect that what you will see is necessarily what you expected. Start any interaction by emphasizing the positivity of being different.
Non-Judgemental Dialogue: Use an open and positive communication style by avoiding a negative interpretation of what others are sharing with you. Exercise compassion and empathy by trying to accept and understand how others are feeling.
Active & Empathic Listening: Give your full attention to the other person. Avoid interruptions and distractions. Show compassion and deep care for the other person and indicate that you are willing to understand and listen to them.
Slowing Down: Slow down before and during interaction and take a step back before you answer or engage in communication. This helps to reflect and avoid unconscious bias. Starting conversations calmly and with care about the choices of words and sentences can support compassionate and inclusive interaction.
We recommend the following three sources that can support you in fostering impartiality.
- 7 Tips for Empathic Listening
- How to Train Your Mind to Be Impartial (and why it matters)
- Impartiality
We would be very happy to learn more about your suggestions on how to become impartial in academia.
Anne-Wil Harzing & Christa Sathish.
