3 ways to be a better ally in the workplace | Melinda Epler

TL;DR

The content discusses the importance of allyship in the workplace and the impact it can have on diversity, inclusion, and innovation.

Transcript

In 2013, I was an executive at an international engineering firm in San Francisco. It was my dream job. A culmination of all the skills that I've acquired over the years: storytelling, social impact, behavior change. I was the head of marketing and culture and I worked with the nation's largest health care systems, using technology and culture chan... Read More

Key Insights

• 💼 The glass ceiling and toxic workplace culture can severely hinder one's professional experience and ability to innovate.
• 💪 Microaggressions, both intentional and unintentional, can impede individuals' ability to do their work well and should be recognized and addressed.
• 🌍 Behaviors and patterns negatively affecting underrepresented people have a real impact on colleagues, companies, and the collective capacity to innovate.
• 🤝 Allyship is important in correcting the imbalance in opportunity and fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• 💡 Change towards diversity and inclusion happens one person, one act, and one word at a time.
• 🙌 Success and opportunity are not equally accessible to everyone due to barriers imposed by society, such as gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, class, and geography.
• 👥 All individuals can be allies for each other, regardless of their own privileges and experiences.
• 🔧 Allyship involves understanding and supporting others, advocating for underrepresented voices, and actively working towards creating change in oneself, teams, and companies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the speaker's role at the international engineering firm in San Francisco?

The speaker was the head of marketing and culture and worked with healthcare systems to reduce energy and water use and improve social impact.

Q: How did the speaker describe their professional experience at the company?

The speaker described it as the worst professional experience of their life, as they faced a glass ceiling and experienced behaviors and patterns that impeded their ability to do their work effectively.

Q: What are microaggressions?

Microaggressions are everyday slights, insults, and negative verbal and nonverbal communication that impede an individual's ability to do their work well, whether intentional or not.

Q: Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of allyship?

The speaker emphasizes allyship because behaviors and patterns like microaggressions in the workplace affect underrepresented individuals of all backgrounds. Allyship is about understanding the imbalance in opportunity and working to correct it.

Q: Who can be an ally?

According to the speaker, all of us can be allies for each other. Regardless of our background, privilege, or position, we have the power to support and uplift those who face barriers and discrimination in their professional lives.

Q: What are some actions allies can take?

Allies can start by doing no harm, listening, learning, and unlearning behaviors that contribute to microaggressions. They can also advocate for underrepresented individuals, refer them for job opportunities, mentor and sponsor them, and work towards creating more diverse and inclusive teams and workplaces.

Q: How does allyship benefit companies?

When companies promote allyship and create more diverse and inclusive teams, data shows that they become more innovative, productive, and profitable. Allyship is not just beneficial for individuals; it also contributes to the success and growth of businesses.

Q: What is the overall message of the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes the power of allyship in creating positive change in the workplace and beyond. By being there for one another, supporting underrepresented individuals, and working towards diversity and inclusion, we can thrive together and build better teams, products, and companies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, an executive at an engineering firm, shares her experience of facing discrimination and microaggressions in the workplace, highlighting the negative impact it had on her confidence and ability to innovate.

• She emphasizes the importance of allyship in creating a more diverse and inclusive environment, and how it can lead to increased innovation, productivity, and profitability.

• The speaker provides practical ways to be an ally, such as listening, learning, advocating for underrepresented individuals, and actively working to change company culture.