How to Be an Ally
Develop allyship in the workplace by equipping employees with the knowledge and skills they need to become good allies to their colleagues.
- An ally is someone who uses their power and privilege in society to advocate for marginalized people to empower themselves. In the workplace, allies play an important role in creating an inclusive work environment. However, becoming an ally can be scary and challenging.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Cultivate inclusion across the organization by training employees to practice key allyship behaviors in the workplace.
Impact and Result
- Equip employees with the knowledge and tools they need to be allies to create an inclusive work environment.
How to Be an Ally
Equip employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be allies to their colleagues.
Training Overview 
Target Audience: General employees
Target Length: Three hours
Training Materials
- Speaker’s notes are included in the notes pane section of each slide. Use these to plan and practice the training session. Note: Text in italics are written to the facilitator and are not meant to be read aloud.
- Activity slides are scattered throughout this training deck and are clearly marked “Activity” in a bar on the left side of the slide. Instructions for activity facilitation can be found in the notes section of each slide.
Recommended Customizations
- Review all slides and adjust the language or content as needed to suit your organizational context and culture.
- The pencil icon above denotes slides requiring customization of the slide and/or the speaker’s notes, e.g. adding in an organization-specific process.
- Customization instructions are found in the notes pane.
- Prepare for this training by reviewing the speaker’s notes and instructions well in advance of delivery.
- Conducting training over two sessions:
- If you wish to conduct this training over two sessions, present Module 1 on the first day and Module 2 on the second. The Handbook will be the same for both modules.
- Customize the agenda on slide 4 accordingly.
Training Session Materials
- How to Be an Ally Handbook (same Handbook for both modules)
- Training session feedback form
Tips:
- Adjust the speaker’s notes on the slides before (or after) any slides you modify or delete to ensure logical transitions between slides.
- Update the agenda to reflect new timings if major modifications are made.
- Even seasoned leaders and employees need to be reminded of the basics now and again. Rather than delete more basic slides, cut back on the amount of time spent covering them and frame the content as a refresher.
- If you wish to connect this training to your 360-degree program or individual development plans, modify the speaker’s notes accordingly.
- There is an optional video on slide 36. If you wish to play this video, you will need audio functionality.
About McLean & Company
McLean & Company is an HR research and advisory firm providing practical solutions to human resources challenges via executable research, tools, diagnostics, and advisory services that have a clear and measurable impact on your business.
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- Call 1: Equip employees with the knowledge and skills they need to be allies to their colleagues.
Create a People-First Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy
Embed Inclusion Into the Organization's Culture
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Primer
Create a Pathway for Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to Connect to Organizational Support
How to Be an Ally
Equip Managers to Adopt Inclusive Leadership Behaviors
Nudges: A Paradigm for HR to Influence Employee Behavior
Anti-Racism Guide