HEC Paris has introduced an intensive elective course, "Evidence-Based Leadership Across Individual Differences: From Biases to Solutions," designed to equip future leaders with the tools to identify and address unconscious biases in the workplace. Developed by professors Ekaterina Netchaeva, Anastasia Buyalskaya, and Crystal Yanting Shi, the course integrates research from multiple disciplines to explore how individual differences—including gender, race, and socioeconomic background—influence career trajectories.
Over two and a half days, the five-session course prompts participants to re-evaluate common explanations for professional success. It aims to uncover potential biases in hiring, performance reviews, and promotion processes, even among managers who perceive their decisions as fair. The program seeks to provide students with evidence-based insights for navigating the professional world while acknowledging and managing individual differences.
Discussions delve into topics such as gender differences in competition and risk-taking, and the influence of social and cultural contexts. Case studies and simulations explore how biases can infiltrate seemingly objective decisions. For instance, recent research indicates that gender gaps in competitive preferences may diminish when competition rewards child-benefiting resources, suggesting that behavior can be shaped by circumstances and family responsibilities.
The course also highlights pay disparities, examining how individual choices, external constraints, and government policies contribute to these gaps. The professors utilize public data, including OECD statistics, to help students grasp the complexity of these issues and develop strategies for promoting equity.
Students like Vanilla Temtching (MBA ’27) found the course particularly relevant for understanding how early expectations shape perceptions and opportunities, especially for women in STEM fields. Hector Jimenez (MBA ’27) was impacted by personal anecdotes and the recognition of the extra effort women may need to assert authority. Mike Sedjro (MBA ’27) gained awareness of pay disparities and his own responsibility as a future leader to set fair salaries, while acknowledging corporate financial pressures.
The professors hope the course will inspire students to drive positive change in their professional lives and organizations. "Awareness is valuable, but it’s not enough. Ideally, we want students to feel inspired to make a difference," stated Ekaterina Netchaeva.
