Monday, June 18, 2007

I Need Your Input

I have a training session coming up next week, and one of the sessions (yes, I refer to the whole session as a session, and each topic as a session in itself) I am facilitating is Diversity Awareness. One of the key learning points is on exploring stereotypes. I need to come up with three words or very short phrases that can have some strong stereotypes attached to them.

During this particular exercise, I will show the group of Managers one word at a time. After each word they are to immediately write down the first thought that comes to mind with regard to that word...no self-censoring allowed. Then I have the other facilitators collect those results and quickly flipchart them so everyone can see. The room is a 'safe room', and I really push the Managers to explore what they really think and feel about certain things, so I want brutally honest answers.

For example, with a room full of Managers, when the word "Tattoo" is revealed, the responses have included: freak, nutjob, cool, painful, inky, biker dude, expensive, stupid, artist, beautiful, and others.

So, I'm going to try out 3 words/phrases here, and I am asking you to let me know what the FIRST IMMEDIATE thought is that comes to mind. Don't self-censor, and please don't worry what I or anyone else might think of what you've said. I want gut-wrenchingly honest first thoughts here. You can even post as anonymous if you'd rather I not know who you are.

Ok, I'm going to put a few inches of space between each word so that you have to scroll down to see them one at a time. Got your pen/pencil ready?
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conservative
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introvert
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Nature lover

Thanks!

15 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:53 PM

    accountant, shy, granola

    ReplyDelete
  2. conservative = mean

    introvert = me

    nature lover = young woman

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous11:10 PM

    cautious ,alone, hiker

    Allan

    ReplyDelete
  4. conservative=nutjob

    introvert=shy

    nature lover= me

    ReplyDelete
  5. "The room is a 'safe room', and I really push the Managers to explore what they really think and feel about certain things, so I want brutally honest answers."

    So what's the outcome to be? Sounds like a Michael Scott Diversity Day project--are you going to make people wear labels on their foreheads and try to guess what nationality they are?

    ReplyDelete
  6. conservative - tie
    introvert - greasy hair
    nature lover - mountain biker

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:17 AM

    1) cold
    2) calm
    3) sneeze

    jilly
    p.s. i don't believe in "safe rooms" people hold stuff over the heads of others later without even thinking about it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:40 AM

    since other people are adding comments here I'm curious , why would you give such silly tests to people who have been hired to manage bookstores ? It makes no sense at all . I would expect this type of testing in college psych classes , not in a place of business . allan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous11:20 AM

    conservative-judgmental

    introvert-shy

    nature lover- hippie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous11:55 AM

    What came to mind:

    Conservative- Bad
    Introvert- Thoughtful
    Nature Lover- Me

    Beanns

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:48 PM

    Conservative = Republican
    Introvert = Scared
    Nature Lover = Tree Hugger

    I suppose the point of this is that if a bookstore employee is faced with a conservative introverted nature lover, they won't have a negative knee-jerk reaction.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Conservative = Suit
    Introvert = Shy
    Nature Lover = Granola

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous2:41 PM

    Urban, I read that as
    Conservative=slut

    haha

    --emma

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey. I haven't talked to you in a few days. Hope you are having a pleasant weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Conservative - Republican
    Introvert - Thoughtful
    Nature Lover - Hippie

    ReplyDelete