Unconscious Bias Training

by Julien Oomen & Fares Al Qadi

Abstract collage of a human head with a skull, various textured and patterned shapes, and a question mark on the face, set against a green background.

We are all biased.

How can we grow from it?

We are here to bring a new action perspective to your team

In this training

Experience unconscious bias through games, video content, exercises and subgroup exchange.

Reflect on these experiences to formulate together what unconscious bias is and how it works.

Break down widely used terms like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to reveal what they really mean in active leadership.

Get connected on tough issues. Learn to recognise biases, allowing to choose the more inclusive approach from one decision to the next.

Get a new action perspective in moving forward, including the tools to do so. Become aware of what your own contribution can be in creating a safe working environment for everybody including yourself.

Key Topics

A simplified illustration of a yellow leaf with a rounded shape and pointed tip.

Creating Team Satisfaction and Cohesiveness

Our training communicates the importance of psychological safety and addresses strategies to incorporate that safety. It explains how it can be okay to take risks and bring up tough issues without negative consequences. The training itself is an example of how more personal interaction will lead to more team satisfaction and cohesiveness, which will also result in higher team performance.

From a personal experience, trainer Fares Al Qadi will also shed light on the thin line between inclusive hiring and tokenism.

Two abstract figures shaking hands, with a glowing oval shape between them, set against a colorful background with textured patterns.

90% of Unconscious Bias trainings don't work

Most of Unconscious Bias trainings don’t work because they focus only on awareness. We need awareness to acknowledge our biases but we also need practical tools to change our individual and collective behaviour. In this training we provide these tools.

Unconscious bias is not inherently good or bad. Our brain simply doesn’t take 'blank' for an answer. This means it needs to be filled with information as soon as a decision has to be made. It's how we actually survive. This very same mechanism triggers our brain to make quick judgments on things or people who are unfamiliar, which usually leads to stereotyping.

In this training we will work with exercises that bring out the beauty of diversity and the humanity that pervades it, whilst not shying away from what may be painful.

Abstract collage of various textured and patterned paper shapes surrounding a white speech bubble with a black question mark

Who this training is for

A cartoon illustration of a yellow fruit, possibly a lemon.

Corporate Leaders and HR Professionals

For those looking to foster an inclusive culture from the top down, starting from the moment of hiring.

Community and Public Service providers

Ideal for diversity and inclusion officers, educational administrators, teachers, consultants, customer service representatives, public sector employees, and healthcare professionals who engage with diverse populations and aim to provide equitable and respectful services.

Employees ready to pick up the glove

Suitable for every member of the organisation to understand their own role in creating a welcoming workspace.

Illustration of a human head with an eye inside it, surrounded by speech bubbles and glowing elements, representing consciousness. The background includes trees, documents, and the labels 'consciousness,' 'individual influence,' and 'organisational culture'.

A white abstract shape resembling a fish with a pointed tail on a black background.

We welcome your curious mind and aim to surprise it!

Smiling man with curly hair and beard, wearing a dark sweater, standing in front of a colorful geometric background.

About us

A yellow teardrop-shaped object against a black background.

Fares Al Qadi

Fares has been delivering training sessions since the age of 20. After moving to the Netherlands in 2015, he has used his personal experiences to address topics such as Integration, Diversity, Inclusion, and Unconscious Bias.

He recently graduated for his Master’s degree in Leadership and Management, where he gained extensive knowledge of effective organisational practices.

Through this training, he aims to foster a more inclusive and understanding professional environment, leveraging both his academic background and practical experience.

A man with a shaved head and beard wearing a pink shirt, standing against an orange background.

Julien Oomen

Julien has sixteen years of experience in facilitating trainings and workshops on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and inclusive leadership.

He has also worked extensively with newcomers; for Stichting de Vrolijkheid with music as a connecting tool; and for Refugee Company with trainings on Unconscious Bias and social events.

A big passion is his crew of thirty youngsters with a refugee background who coach managers in Dutch companies on personal leadership and change. While the managers profit from the often unexpected wisdom that the young coaches gathered in their eventful lives, the youngsters tap deeper into their talents, skills, and self-confidence. It's a win-win.

Testimonials

I don’t know if it’s a difference between how trainings are done here in the Netherlands or back home in the US but I feel like this was done very holistically. A lot of trainings I’ve taken previously call out “you have biases and you’re bad for that”, as opposed to this training where the message is: Everyone has biases, how can you grow from it?
Everyone left feeling warm and fuzzy instead of feeling like you’re bad and you can’t do anything about it.
Lauren Esposito, Booking Holdings (US)
Recently, I had the honor of participating in the diversity & inclusion training of Julien and Fares. I have had some personal experience considering exclusion as well as a theoretical interest in the topic. However, this training provided me with much more insight into the difference between the two concepts. Moreover, due to their personal approach, sincere interest, and great facilitation, I was able to learn through experience and from others. Additionally, they were able to link the exercises to relevant philosophical, sociological, and physiological themes. All in all, I learned more about D&I, my colleagues, and even myself. Many thanks and keep on helping people understand the importance of this topic!
Omar Mostafa, management consultant, Frisse Blikken
Bijzonder hoe ik tijdens de training Unconscious Bias tot nadenken werd gestemd. Door op een respectvolle manier in de trainingsgroep met elkaar te spreken over definities van diversiteit en inclusie en over omgaan met elkaar in de maatschappij of binnen een bedrijf, ben ik me nog meer bewust geworden van mijn eigen gedachten en handelen. Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat ik daardoor beter in staat ben met een andere blik naar mensen en situaties te kijken, dat ik hierin meer eigen verantwoordelijkheid zal kunnen nemen en dat ik wellicht ook een voorbeeld voor anderen zal kunnen zijn.
Linda Hendrix logopedist, Rijnstate
As trainers, Julien and Fares are able to quickly create a pleasant and confidential atmosphere for following the Unconscious Bias training. It soon becomes clear that it is not about right or wrong, but about triggering or further developing awareness. In addition, beautiful personal working methods are used and it is also a good way to get to know each other better as a team. Recommended!
Ires Manuel
HR manager, Mondmaskerfabriek
Ik was niet alleen geraakt door de zorg en aandacht die uit de aanpak in deze training sprak, maar ook door de hele persoonlijke benadering – iedereen op een speelse manier rechtstreeks aansprekend op een ieders intuïtieve reactie. En de oproep om de ander altijd met oprechte ‘inter-esse’ te benaderen.
Jan van den Brink (film programmeur, Verkadefabriek)
Het was een hele fijne training en de begeleiding maakte voor een veilige sfeer waar iedereen zich comfortabel voelde om hun ervaringen te delen. Naast het opdoen van kennis rondom diversiteit en inclusie hebben we ook oefeningen gedaan waarbij de groep meer over elkaar leerde en tegelijkertijd ook een kijkje kreeg in het 'mens' zijn.
Aimée H. (organisatieadviseur, Frisse Blikken)