Unconscious Bias in the Workplace: The Invisible Barrier

By Meghna Makkar, POSH Expert and Purpose Life Coach

Have you realised that we often operate under a bias? By bias, I mean a preference for one thing over another, and often in ways that are unfair and not based on facts.

We make our choices all the while – who we talk to, who we trust, who we think is capable of performing a task? Often, these decisions are influenced not by facts or fairness but by something much less visible: unconscious bias.

Bias is not always intentional

Unconscious bias is a series of ‘mental shortcuts’ and preferences we develop over time. These are the assumptions or judgments we make without even realising. They’re not always loud or intentional; in fact, they’re usually subtle and silent. But their impact can be significant.

According to research from Britannica, the human brain can receive 11 million pieces of information every second and a staggering 99% of them are ‘UNCONSCIOUS’ thoughts. These unconscious thoughts affect our behaviour, and interactions. This means a large part of our decisions are based on thoughts, which we are not even aware of.

Awareness is the first step

The first step to overcoming unconscious bias is awareness. You can’t challenge or change what you don’t recognise.  A quick pause and some self-analysing questions can often make us aware of our biases, questions like;

Why did I select this particular person for this task? Why did I choose this activity over the other? Does it have something to do with the person doing it? Am I giving the same benefit of the doubt to everyone involved?

These moments of introspection might feel small, but they create powerful insights. With each question, you begin to uncover the hidden filters through which you view the world.

Bias can be a barrier

We understand that unconscious biases will be there, and they are not good or bad, they just make us more human. However, when left unchecked, unconscious bias can be a serious barrier, especially in leadership, hiring, promotions, and teamwork.

For example, in hiring processes, bias can lead to overlooking capable candidates simply because they don’t “fit the mould” of what we expect. In leadership, it can result in favouritism or missed opportunities to support diverse talent.

Pro Tip: A practical way to reduce the bias in hiring. Add a column titled “Feelings/Impressions” to your interview evaluation sheets. This simple prompt helps interviewers reflect on instinctive responses and assess whether their decisions are being influenced by underlying bias.

Conscious decision-making 

Real growth happens when we start making conscious and cautious decisions. When we take the time to notice our inner narratives and honestly reflect on them, we create space for more inclusive and equitable choices. 

Conscious decision-making requires three things: honesty, reflection, and insight. The more clearly we see our internal filters, the more wisely we act externally. 

By understanding our biases and actively choosing to act or not according to our first impressions, we don’t just improve our decisions, we build an environment where fairness, empathy, and diversity can truly prosper. Mindful choices, repeated consistently, slowly chip away at the invisible barrier of unconscious bias.

About the author

Meghna Makkar is a POSH Expert and a Purpose Life Coach who believes in transforming organisations with mindful leadership. She is a seasoned Human Resource professional with more than 23 years of corporate experience, specialising in driving HR excellence through coaching, training, and innovative self-development solutions. After a successful and fulfilling corporate career, she has transitioned into corporate training and now delivers impactful programs on Soft Skills, Leadership Development, Performance Mgmt, POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment), Gender Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and personal growth through my program “A Life by Choice.”

Throughout her journey, from corporate roles to becoming an independent trainer, she strongly believes in evolving into her best self and creating an empowering team she works with, assisting them to lead lives which are beautiful and successful. You can connect with her here.