Conversity Leadership

1
Conversity Leadership

• Module 3 First Impressions

Cris Wildermuth, M.Ed. Susan D. Gray, PHR
2
Introduction

• Group brainstorm
• What did we discuss in Module 2?
• What are some practical applications of what we
  discussed there?

3
Introductions

• The best things in life are achieved through...

4
Agenda

• Driver Portraits
• First Impressions
• Personal Commitment

5
Driver Portraits

• Each group will receive pictures of two vehicles.
• You will decide the following
• Who drives or rides these vehicles?
• What is his or her name, nickname, ethnicity,
  age, education, profession, hobbies, family life,
  biggest fear, biggest hope, and so on?
• Do these people know one another? If so, how?

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Driver Portraits

• Which of these descriptions are accurate?
• Where do these descriptions come from?

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First Impressions and Stereotypes

• A fixed generalization
• Attributing to an individual the assumed
  characteristics of the group to which that
  individual belongs

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Priming

• The awakening of unconsciously held stereotypes

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Functions of Stereotypes

• Grouping
• There is too much information out there.
• Social identity
• I belong to group X you dont.
• Social detachment
• They are not like me its not my fault if they
  go through problems.
• Self-esteem
• You are bad you are different from me that
  makes me good.

10
Stereotype Rigidity

• Stereotypes are often subconscious.
• Its impossible to avoid them completely.
• Key skill needed in handling stereotypes
• ability to change stereotypes when confronted
  with disproving evidence.

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So What?

• Stereotypes are commonly held in our subconscious
  mind.
• We all have stereotypes (all everyone in the
  world)!
• Stereotypes may unintentionally affect our
  decision making.

12
Group Brainstorm

• How can you reduce stereotypes?
• How can you apply Conversity techniques when
  reducing stereotypes?
• How can you avoid the influence of stereotypes in
  decision making?

13
Disproving Stereotypes

• Who else could be driving those vehicles?
• How can you disprove stereotypes?
• Bring up specific examples of people who disprove
  the stereotypes you came up with for the driver
  descriptions.

14
Personal Commitment

• How can you apply what you have learned?
• What one thing do you plan to do as a result of
  todays discussions?