What does ally mean in the workplace?

What does “ally” mean? To some, it may just be a buzzword you see used at work, in tv shows, interviews or written throughout documents. But, to the team at Intuit, it means something much more. 

Being an ally means continually working to champion an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect in the workplace. Most of all, it takes understanding—understanding others and most importantly, taking action. 

What does ally mean?

A quick online search shows us that the term ally means “a person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity.” But what does an ally mean in terms of workplace diversity and inclusion? 

When we look at the term through the lens of diversity, it means something a little different. Allies are people who actively choose to align themselves with those who are marginalized or disadvantaged with the aim of improving their circumstances in the workplace and world. 

How can you be a better ally at work?

You can be a better ally in the workplace by practicing empathy and communication. When communicating with people from different backgrounds, there may be more opportunities for misunderstanding because of language barriers, lack of shared experiences, or other differences. Part of being an ally is doing your best to see the world through the eyes of those you’re communicating with.  

Fortunately, there is a framework you can follow to help you embody what it means to be an ally in the workplace. 

1. Speak up in your own social circles. As a person of privilege, you have access to social circles that Intuit does not. Perhaps you have heard racist or derogatory language used by family members or friends? Take some time at your next social setting to shape peoples’ beliefs, and speak up for those who are not there.
2. Learn from your mistakes. Being an ally is an ongoing process, and you are bound to say or do the wrong thing at certain points. Sometimes, the best way to learn is through trial and error. The important thing is to acknowledge when you’re wrong, and to not make those same mistakes again.
3. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. As humans, we are averse to change. If your life has been one of comfort, it is difficult to voluntarily give up that comfort. However, to work towards being a good ally, you need to forfeit it, as your comfort comes at the expense of others.

Benefits of being an ally

So, what does ally mean for you? Here are some unintended benefits you’ll experience while supporting your coworkers: 

• You’ll start to experience more profound, accepting relationships with peers of all backgrounds. 

• You can make a positive impact on someone’s life. 
• You’ll learn from, impact, and teach a population of people you may not normally interact with. 

At Intuit, we’re proud to do our part to make the corporate world more diverse and inclusive. Our team is continually assessing to see how we can best impact the world around us. We support our employees joining Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to stand with their coworkers and support other initiatives to foster allyship.  

Whether it’s teaching others why it’s meaningful to use pronouns in the workplace, best practices for making content more accessible, or ways to actively support veterans in the workplace, each of us can make an impact as an ally.

Now it’s your turn. See what you can do within your company or local community to champion a world of diversity and inclusion. Chances are, initiatives are already happening, but there is always room for improvement. And you may be the one to inspire change.