Increase your awareness of your own unconscious biases by paying real attention to your thoughts, examining your beliefs and identifying the assumptions you currently hold.

Self-awareness is the key when it come to challenging biases and opening yourself up to a new perspective. Identify the reasons why you might hold these biases. Sometimes we hold onto our ideas because our experience tells us that there is safety in the practice of holding on to the familiar.

Set aside time to understand your biases and become educated on the impact they can have not only on yourself but on others can be the catalyst for true change. Develop strategies to place a circuit breaker between your truth and the truth of others. Pause and let people speak without judgement, remain curious and empathic to a reality that exists outside you own.

You'll be surprised at what you learn. Spending time with people who are different from you can help undermine the subconscious stereotypes you hold. Call out bias in yourself and others.

Now that you can identify internal and external biases be courageous and start helping others to be aware their potential bias. Being productive in actively creating more inclusive space for everyone to feel a sense of belonging.

Empower yourself to empower others.  Ask hard questions. Inquire with your co-workers about their own experiences of bias and listen deeply.

Become comfortable with being uncomfortable, because true progress comes with varying levels of discomfort. True progress is possible and it must start with you and the conversations you're willing to step into with others.