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:

Anonymous said...

accountant, shy, granola

Roger said...

conservative = mean

introvert = me

nature lover = young woman

Anonymous said...

cautious ,alone, hiker

Allan

The Broards said...

conservative=nutjob

introvert=shy

nature lover= me

The Broards said...

"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?

schell said...

conservative - tie
introvert - greasy hair
nature lover - mountain biker

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

conservative-judgmental

introvert-shy

nature lover- hippie

Anonymous said...

What came to mind:

Conservative- Bad
Introvert- Thoughtful
Nature Lover- Me

Beanns

Anonymous said...

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.

UrbanStarGazer said...

Conservative = Suit
Introvert = Shy
Nature Lover = Granola

Anonymous said...

Urban, I read that as
Conservative=slut

haha

--emma

CatBoy said...

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

Waltzing Matilda said...

Conservative - Republican
Introvert - Thoughtful
Nature Lover - Hippie