Women’s conferences and employee resource groups (ERGs) are increasingly inviting men to attend. By creating events aimed at men, they hope to include men in discussions around gender equity in the workplace, and make organizational diversity efforts more successful.
How Men Can Become Better Allies to Women
Focus on listening, support, and respect.
October 12, 2018
Summary.
When men are deliberately engaged in gender inclusion programs, 96% of organizations see progress —compared to only 30% of organizations where men are not engaged. But many organizations still focus their diversity and inclusion efforts on women, or at best, invite men to attend events designed for women. Men can face penalties for supporting women’s advancement and for failing to conform to masculine norms. To create more and better male allies, organizations and women’s advocates should recognize that allyship can take many forms and varieties. And men who want to be allies can focus on listening, support, and respect.
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New!
HBR Learning
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.