Allyship and solidarity: what it is and requires of you as a leader in the workplace
While they may seem like terms meant for a protest and other forms of activism, allyship and solidarity have a place in the workplace. The reality is that the workplace is no different from the places we might find activism happening; while the workplace has its own protocol and culture, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum and many of the disenfranchising dynamics that occur outside the workplace also occur within it. By engaging in allyship and showing solidarity in the workplace towards those who need it, we take steps forward towards making a more equitable workplace and even a more equitable world.
Being a person from an underrepresented group in the workplace can feel uncomfortable, to say the least. It’s difficult to get your voice heard when it’s the only voice stemming from your position. It can feel like your needs and place in the workplace often gets steamrolled by the majority. Not only is this detrimental to the workplace itself in the way it ends up discounting valuable perspectives and feedback, but it’s always an uncomfortable position to place others in and can result in an unnecessarily negative experience for them.
Situations like these are where the concept of solidarity and allyship take center stage. While they may seem like terms meant for a protest and other forms of activism, allyship and solidarity have a vital role right at home in the workplace. The reality is that the workplace is no different from the places we might find activism happening; while the workplace has its own protocol and culture, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum and many of the disenfranchising dynamics that occur outside the workplace also occur within it. By engaging in allyship and showing solidarity in the workplace towards those who need it, we take steps forward towards making a more equitable workplace and even a more equitable world.