Allyship: A Verb Requiring Action

Actions for Allies and Advocates

As I emphasize in my presentations, “Allyship is not a noun. It’s a verb that requires visible and vocal action.” This definition of allyship comes from my colleague Kim Graham Lee, Chief Allyship Officer, at Integrating Women Leaders Foundation (IWL). With her permission, I’ve adopted it into my work as a call to action that challenges us to go beyond awareness and toward advocacy and action.

YWomen | Source: Integrating Women Leaders (IWL) Foundation

So how do You practice active allyship?

Six months into 2024, we’ve had dedicated months recognizing Black history, women’s accomplishments, the Asian American experience, mental health and more. These observances provide valuable opportunities to learn, ask questions, and deepen our understanding of experiences different from our own. But have you actively leveraged these months to increase your allyship?

And just as important, are you being an ally to groups of which you are NOT a member? While the focus of my work is to engage men to be better allies, so too can women become better allies for People of Color. People of Color can be better allies to the LGBTQ+ Community. Allyship is intersectional and simply put, we all need to be better allies to each other.

Take a moment to reflect – have you attended any events, read articles, or had direct conversations to expand your knowledge? More importantly, have you taken any actions based on that increased awareness to drive positive change in your workplace or community?

If not, Pride Month offers a great chance to start honing those allyship skills through educational resources like those offered by Transformation Journeys Worldwide.

If you’ve been actively learning and advocating, keep up the momentum! For ideas on how to leverage your influence, check out the “Be A Better Ally” article by Tsedale Melaku, Angie Beeman, David Smith and Brad Johnson, including:

  • Becoming a confidant and safe space for marginalized colleagues
  • Speaking up when you witness biased or discriminatory behavior
  • Sponsoring and championing underrepresented employees
  • Building and growing communities of allies

Your actions make allyship a verb.

The key to real progress is moving allyship from just a concept to an action verb that each of us lives out daily. I’m often asked, “Where do I start?”

In my client work, I outline 10 key actions built around four themes; Listen, Learn, Lead and Have the Will. These actions are also outlined in the YWomen Actions for Advocates, which you’ll find on the website as a standalone pledge for you to print out and display in your workplace as a visible reminder to take action.

Become an ally for workplace equality

In June 2015, I launched the Father of a Daughter Initiative as a voluntary opt-in program for fathers who, like me, realize we have a responsibility to advocate for women in the workplace. By opting in, you are committing to do at least one of the suggested activities to demonstrate your commitment to advancing women and by default, advocating for your daughter’s future.

Once again, this Father’s Day, join me in taking action or renewing your commitment to advocating for the recruitment, advancement, retention and equitable treatment of women in the workplace.

Ongoing allyship

Driving equality requires using our voices and privileges as tools for change. Take the next step from awareness to active, visible allyship today – and beyond.

 

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