20 WAYS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MALE ALLY
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In this practical mini guide you’ll get:
- An understanding of what allyship really means
- Why allyship is crucial for all genders
- 20 simple ways you can support the women in your team and workplace
A MESSAGE TO OUR MALE ALLIES, FROM WOMEN RISING FOUNDER & CEO, MEGAN DALLA-CAMINA
At Women Rising, we are on a mission to help women step into their power, become authentic leaders, and create clarity, confidence and career success. By supporting thousands of women through our signature Women Rising program, we are changing both the conversation and the landscape for women at work. Men stepping up alongside women as effective male allies are a critical piece of the puzzle to enable more equal workplaces for all. In fact, we can’t do this without you. Thank you for your leadership and partnership on this journey.
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We know that many male leaders want to go from being passive allies to active allies, to be someone that’s really trying to help drive change. I’ve learned that that step is really hard because it begins with asking yourself some honest questions. We have heard male leaders speak about the fear of saying the wrong thing. There is a lot of language about landmines and putting your foot in your mouth. The second thing holding men back is just knowing what to do and making this shift from passive empathy to proactive ally.
— Philip Goldie
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Frequently Asked Questions
+ What is a male ally in the workplace?
A male ally is someone who actively supports gender equality by recognising the challenges women may face at work and taking practical steps to create a more inclusive environment. Allyship goes beyond believing in equality—it involves using your influence, actions and leadership to help remove barriers for others. This guide shares practical ways to become a more effective ally in your everyday work.
+ Why is male allyship important?
Creating more equitable workplaces requires everyone to be involved. Because men continue to hold many leadership and decision-making roles, they have significant opportunities to influence culture, sponsorship, promotions and workplace inclusion. Research highlighted in this guide shows that organisations engaging men in gender inclusion efforts are far more likely to make meaningful progress.
+ How can men support women at work?
Supporting women at work often starts with consistent everyday actions. This might include listening with curiosity, amplifying women's ideas in meetings, mentoring or sponsoring talented colleagues, recommending women for visible opportunities and challenging bias when it occurs. Small actions, repeated consistently, can have a significant impact over time.
+ What is the difference between mentoring and sponsoring women?
A mentor offers guidance, advice and support to help someone develop professionally. A sponsor goes one step further by actively advocating for someone, recommending them for opportunities and using their influence to help advance their career. Both play an important role in supporting women's career progression.
+ What does allyship look like in everyday leadership?
Allyship isn't limited to major organisational initiatives. It can be demonstrated through everyday leadership behaviours such as ensuring everyone is heard in meetings, encouraging diverse perspectives, addressing inappropriate behaviour and creating opportunities for women to grow and lead. The guide includes 20 practical actions that leaders can begin implementing immediately.
+ How can managers create a more inclusive workplace?
Managers influence many of the everyday experiences that shape workplace culture. They can foster inclusion by making fair hiring and promotion decisions, distributing opportunities equitably, encouraging open conversations and creating psychologically safe teams where everyone feels respected. Inclusive leadership is built through consistent actions rather than one-off initiatives.
+ What is workplace sponsorship?
Workplace sponsorship is when a leader actively advocates for someone's career progression. This could include recommending them for promotions, introducing them to influential networks, nominating them for high-profile projects or speaking positively about their capabilities to decision-makers. Sponsorship is one of the most effective ways leaders can help develop future talent.
+ How can leaders reduce gender bias at work?
Reducing bias begins with recognising that it exists. Leaders can then introduce fairer processes for recruitment, performance reviews, promotions and remuneration while also reflecting on their own assumptions and decision-making.
Creating equitable workplaces is an ongoing practice of learning, listening and improving.
+ How can I become a better male ally?
Becoming an effective ally starts with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Listening to women's experiences, seeking feedback, reflecting on your own leadership and taking consistent action are all important parts of the journey. The guide introduces the allyship continuum and offers practical steps to help you move from awareness to active advocacy.
+ How can this Male Allies guide help me?
Whether you're a leader, manager or individual contributor, this guide provides practical actions you can take to support gender inclusion more effectively. Inside, you'll learn what allyship is, why it matters, how to recognise opportunities to create positive change and 20 practical ways to become a stronger advocate for women in your workplace.