Improving decisions that affect gender equality in the workplace

• DOI: 10.1016/j.orgdyn.2019.03.002
• Publication Date: 2019-03-21T07:10:27Z
• Authors: Edward H. Chang; Katherine L. Milkman
• Keywords: Leverage (statistics); Affect; Blinding; Gender Bias

As the business world becomes increasingly competitive, organizations cannot afford to miss out on the contributions of talented women. We summarize research that documents how gender bias can lead to mistakes in decision making that are harmful to gender equality and to organizations. We then present six research-based strategies–blinding decision making, substituting, articulating new social norms, evaluating candidates jointly, individuating, and educating – that can help alleviate these biases to improve workplace equality and help firms leverage their talent to the fullest extent.