Being an Ally
By being an ally or upstander, you help create a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusivity, and ensures that everyone feels welcome and valued.
The Importance of Allyship in the Workplace
Being an ally/upstander in the workplace is crucial for creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
But why is being an ally so important?
Promotes diversity, equity & inclusion
Allies actively support and advocate for individuals from underrepresented groups in the workplace. They recognize the value of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. By being an ally, you help create a workplace culture that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusivity, and ensures that everyone feels welcome and valued.
Enhances collaboration
When individuals feel supported and included, they are more likely to collaborate effectively and contribute their unique skills and perspectives. By being an ally, you contribute to building a sense of psychological safety and trust among team members. This enables better teamwork, idea-sharing, and innovation, ultimately leading to improved productivity and success for the organization.
Boosts morale & well-being
When employees feel supported by allies, their morale and overall well-being improve. Allies create an environment where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work, free from fear of discrimination or bias. This promotes a positive and inclusive workplace culture that contributes to employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
Drives innovation & creativity
Inclusive workplaces that value diverse perspectives and ideas are more likely to foster innovation and creativity. Allies create an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their unique viewpoints and challenging the status quo. By embracing different perspectives and encouraging diverse contributions, allies contribute to a culture of innovation and drive positive change within the organization.
An Ally Is...™ (Sollah's new micro video & discussion generator)
Eleven Ideas
By being an ally or upstander, you contribute to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and successful work environment for everyone. Here are 11 ideas your organization can embrace when it comes to allyship:
- Amplify voices: Give credit where credit is due. For example, in a meeting if someone builds upon an idea, acknowledge where they idea started “Jose, it’s great that you were able to build off from Yin’s idea.”
- Diversify voices: Ask who isn’t at the table and how to include them.
- Mentor: Mentor someone and share tips and ideas for how to be successful.
- Add perspective: If someone is telling a story and being negative and you have a different perspective add it “It’s interesting, in my experience people who are_____ have been very helpful/insightful/kind etc.” This doesn’t create conflict but puts another perspective into the conversation.
- Stop Jokes/Comments “I don’t think that is appropriate for the workplace.” Or in a joking tone “Hey, Mary, I don’t think you really want that being spread around the workplace with everyone saying it came from you.”
- Acknowledge Issues: “I don’t think its ok that xxx happened to you.” Or “I saw that too and that isn’t ok.”
- Listen: Provide a listening ear when needed.
Note – this may/may not involve taking any action. - Don’t step in if asked not to: Don’t take away a person’s power and choices by choosing for them (unless required by law)
- Be inclusive without being asked: state your preferred pronouns, wear a pin that shows you're an ally, call out holiday celebrations even if you don’t celebrate them to raise awareness (and it doesn’t have to name the co-worker celebrating).
- Adjust Graciously: Bring gluten free/vegetarian/Halal/Kosher food without being asked to a potluck, use appropriate greetings like Happy Holidays instead of assuming everyone celebrates what you do.
- Use metrics: Keep track of how often people are engaged in team meetings. Then, report back… “Hey, I have noticed that for the last couple of meetings, the xxx spoke more than the yyy. Let’s make space for the yyy to speak today.”
A powerful message about standing up to harassment! Could you step up and actively stop workplace harassment in progress? Being an active ally or upstander in a harassment situation doesn't mean you have to verbally engage the harasser. RESCUE™ provides three different situations that empower employees (or even third party bystanders) to take action and stop harassing workplace behavior.
Could you step up and actively stop workplace harassment in progress? Being an active ally or upstander in a harassment situation doesn't mean you have to verbally engage the harasser. This scenario features a co-worker harassing another employee.
An ally is the friend we all need sometimes. Someone who supports others…those outside of the majority. This short, yet powerful video sums up the key qualities of being an ally.
These easy-to-use cards provide a simple model (A.L.L.I.E.S.) along with thought-provoking questions on the power of being an ally in the workplace. These cards are great for a quick training reminder or conversation starter.
