European Managers Reveal 20 Proven Ways to Overcome Bias in Leadership

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  • Leaders and managers across Europe have turned groundbreaking research into 20 Practical Steps for Leadership Change.
  • The campaign #BeyondBias features the importance of diversity and inclusion for competitiveness and to achieve a consistent Union of Skills.
  • The Confédération Européenne des Cadres (CEC European Managers) represents 1M leaders in Europe and is one of the six cross-industry social partners recognised by the European Commission (together with BusinessEurope, SMEUnited, SGI Europe, ETUC and Eurocadres).

Currently, in the European Union, words that resonate everywhere are “competitiveness” and “Union of Skills.” CEC European Managers believes the EU social model is essential for the EU to be more competitive.

The evidence shows that competition is impossible without promoting diverse and inclusive teams, as equity and diversity foster innovation and creativity, which are crucial to reaching better outcomes. Likewise, leaders think the solution to the skills shortage is to single out European talent, upskill, and reskill the available workforce.

“Inclusiveness is not just about doing good—it’s about competitiveness and leveraging the full potential of our shrinking workforce,” says Torkild Justesen, CEC European Managers Secretary General. There are several – and very intuitive – reasons why this is undeniable.

As leaders and managers of Europe we are calling for more inclusivity and diversity because it’s the right thing to do and because we care about European competitiveness.

For that, managers are launching the #BeyondBias campaign after two years of research through the EU-Funded project Beyunbi, and propose practical advice in a useful format.

Cover Position Paper: 20 Recommendations to Managers - CEC European Managers #BeyondBias

Download position paper here [+]

Key Resources Available in the #BeyondBias Campaign:

  • 20 impactful business cards – Concise, practical leadership insights
  • 6 eye-catching posters – Designed to inspire awareness and action
  • Engaging social media materials – Ready-to-use content for broad outreach

The initiative stems from a comprehensive European study conducted by the University of Southern Denmark under the EU-funded Beyond Unconscious Bias (Beyunbi) Project. The findings include 20 actionable recommendations to address biases in leadership and workplace practices.

The recommendations provide concrete strategies to tackle biases related to gender, race, age, and LGBTQ+ identities, focusing on improving recruitment, evaluations, and promotions across European organisations.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

  • Conduct practical unconscious bias training
  • Build inclusive leadership practices
  • Implement transparent and fair promotion policies
  • Use data-driven approaches to diversity and inclusion

What is CEC European Managers

CEC European Managers is the only recognised social partner of the European Commission representing only leaders and managers, has launched the #BeyondBias campaign, offering practical tools to help European leaders foster inclusive leadership and effective management.

Why This Matters

The #BeyondBias campaign is backed by two years of research and insights from over 1,000 European managers. The study highlights the impact of unconscious bias in leadership and proposes data-driven diversity initiatives that organizations can implement immediately.

For more information, visit this site.