You can use tools like our Questions to Self-Reflect to examine the way you respond to people in your everyday life. Recognizing and working to check those areas of bias is one of the most powerful ways in which you can begin to act more inclusively. You might continue to find areas of weakness, and that’s okay — as long as you’re committed to trying to live more inclusively.

Spend a little time reading or watching material that helps you understand people who might be different from you. Research materials on how to be more inclusive of different communities or individuals. Even though you might not see the impact in the moment, you’ll be more culturally competent, better equipped to support the people around you, and able to foster a more inclusive community.

Stereotypes are oversimplified images or ideas about social identity groups — for instance, older adults are sometimes assumed to be “bad at technology.” And while this may seem harmless, stereotypes are overwhelmingly inaccurate and can negatively impact decisions around employment, education, the justice system, housing and financial services. By taking time to reconsider stereotypes internally and question whether the assumptions we are making are supported by real evidence specific to an individual, we can work to ensure everyone is valued fairly.

If you don’t understand a term or an issue, even after researching it, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. Talk to friends who might have experienced the kind of bias you’re thinking about or read someone’s perspective online. If you talk to a friend, ask them respectfully if they’ll share their experience — listen, thank them for sharing, and make sure they know you support them. Doing this strengthens your relationship with the person you ask, and also equips you to better support people in future. For a list of terms and definitions related to bias, diversity, and inclusion, check out our glossary.