What (if anything) would you do or say?
In the hall, a colleague mentions Ramira has potential, if only she could learn to tone it down a bit and not be so abrasive. | You notice that someone is repeatedly interrupted in a meeting. | You hear someone coach a colleague on how to get ahead, encouraging her to take it “low and slow,” meaning to lower her voice and speak more slowly. | ||
You’re sponsoring an employee who is unsure whether or not they should take on a risky assignment. | You see someone getting credit for something another colleague said earlier in the meeting. | While standing at the buffet at a company-catered event, you overhear someone ask a colleague of color for more coffee. | ||
You recommend an employee you’re sponsoring for an opportunity, but get the response, “we’re not sure she’s the right fit; she’s not really a natural leader.” | Work meetings typically include spirited discussion and argument, but Janelle consistently avoids engaging in that manner; instead, she prefers to respond via email later on. | You hear someone say that there’s been a push to hire more women (or other underrepresented groups) and that they are being hired over men or other groups, even when not as qualified. |
Should You Intervene? Some Benefits and CostsThere can be benefits and costs to intervening, especially when considering clear status and power differences in relationships. For example, it can be more costly to confront someone more powerful. There might be more costs when intervening with a manager than with a peer so different strategies may be needed in these different situations. Not intervening can lead to “rumination” (repeatedly reflecting on and regretting the inaction), which can have physical, emotional, and job-related effects for bystanders. Benefits of intervening include reducing the harm experienced, reducing future bias, promoting equity, shifting norms, and increasing the bystander’s self-esteem and positive affect. |
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Before You Act, Assess the Situation by Asking Yourself:
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Consider How Your Relationships and Roles Affect How You Intervene:
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Some Possible Ways to Intervene:
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