What Are Micro Behaviours?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Micro-behaviours are

tiny, often unconscious gestures, facial expressions, postures, words and tone of voice

which can influence how included (or not included) the people around us feel. The term ‘micro-behaviours’ was coined by psychologist Mary Rowe in the early 1970s.

What role do micro behaviors play in unconscious bias?

As the perceptible tip of unconscious bias, micro-behaviours can have a very real impact on other people in the workplace. An act as simple

as checking your phone whilst someone is speaking

, for instance, can be interpreted as a lack of interest or worse.

Which behavior is an example of a negative Microbehavior?

Negative micromessages include such things as

overlooking you when introducing your work team

, looking at her Blackberry while you’re talking, frequently confusing you with someone else of the same demographic, replying to your email only when the manager is copied, a blank stare when you’re speaking, acknowledging …

What are inclusive behaviors?

Inclusion is …

A sense of belonging; Feeling respected, valued and seen for

who we. Are as individuals; A level of supportive energy and commitment from leaders, and colleagues and others so that we-individually and collectively-can do our best work.

What are some examples of micro inequities and micro aggressions?

  • The leader says good morning to everyone but one person.
  • A manager repeatedly ignores the existence of a colleague in the elevator.
  • A group of employees go out for coffee or drinks after work and leave one person on the team consistently behind.

What are examples of micro behaviors?


Letting someone finish their sentence

.

Giving eye contact

.

Demonstrating positive body language and facial expressions

.

Calling out interruptions

and asking the person who was speaking to continue.

What are some examples of micro-inequities?

Examples of micro-inequities include

constantly mispronouncing someone’s name

, not making eye contact with women in the room, and confusing someone’s ethnicity for another, amongst many others.

What are micro messages?

MICRO MESSAGES


Small, subtle, and often unintentional messages we send and receive verbally and non-verbally

. We subconsciously communicate values and expectations that can be supportive (micro-affirmations) or negative (micro-inequities).

What are micro advantages?

Micro-advantages are

gestures, facial expressions, choices of words, and tones

that are even more subtle but just as important in making the person feel valued and appreciated. Examples of micro-advantages are: making eye contact, nodding and smiling, and not crossing your arms.

What is Micro bias?

In this blog, I use the umbrella term ‘micro-biases” to refer to

micro-inequities

—unintentional slights that tend not to specifically reference legally protected group categories such as gender, race, disability, age but which demean or marginalise; and micro-aggressions—slights that reference group stereotypes and …

What is non inclusive behavior?

Non-inclusive behaviour:

use of words, humour, gestures, other acts or omissions that cause offence

. People: colleagues, employees, superiors, subcontractors, customers/clients, suppliers.

What is an affinity bias?

Affinity bias is

the unconscious tendency to get along with others who are like us

. It is easy to socialize and spend time with others who are not different. It requires more effort to bridge differences when diversity is present.

What is inclusive culture?

An inclusive culture is

one that accepts, values and views as strength the difference we all bring to the table

. … At these Dialogues, employees are able to learn from experts in the field about such areas as unintended bias, cultural competency, and being an active bystander.

Which Behaviours make people feel included?

  • When someone asks for my opinion.
  • When I’m asked to help solve a problem.
  • When I’m acknowledged with a real “hello”
  • When I’m told specific reasons why they like my work.
  • When I’m given feedback and suggestions for success.

What are the traits of an inclusive leader?

  • Fairness and Respect. The first step to combating bias and discrimination is recognizing and identifying it. …
  • Collaboration. …
  • Emotional and Cultural Intelligence. …
  • Empowerment and Growth. …
  • Insight. …
  • Promoting Psychological Safety. …
  • Trust Binding.

What are the 4 qualities of inclusive leader?

  • Exercise Self-Awareness. …
  • Mindful of Gatekeepers. …
  • Weave Diversity and Inclusion into Larger Messages. …
  • Thaw the Middle. …
  • Acknowledge Inclusion Happens in the Everyday. …
  • Seek Missing Perspectives. …
  • Comfortable Communicating about Diversity and Inclusion.
Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.