As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, it's the perfect time to reflect not only on the remarkable achievements of women throughout history but also on how we can create more supportive workplace environments today. While women supporting women is crucial, male allies play an equally important role in building truly inclusive workplaces.
Why Male Allyship Matters
Research consistently shows that diverse teams perform better, and organizations with gender-balanced leadership outperform their competitors. Yet women still face unique challenges in the workplace, from unconscious bias to unequal opportunities for advancement. As male colleagues and leaders, your active support can help level the playing field and create environments where everyone can thrive.
Effective Ways Men Can Support Women at Work
1. Amplify Women's Voices
When a woman's voice isn't being heard in meetings or her ideas are overlooked, be intentional about creating space. As the Forbes Human Resources Council notes, "Draw attention to other women's ideas." You might say, "I'd like to circle back to Sarah's suggestion from earlier" or "That builds on the point Jennifer made earlier."
2. Be a Sponsor, Not Just a Mentor
While mentorship provides guidance and support, sponsorship is a more active and strategic relationship where a senior leader uses their influence to advocate for and create opportunities for a protégé. As one Forbes expert explains, "Sponsorship is powerful because it connects opportunity with advocacy that can lead to access, growth or even career advancement." As a male colleague, actively recommend women for projects, promotions, and opportunities - especially when they're not in the room. Unlike mentors who offer advice, sponsors actively open doors, helping individuals gain visibility and advance in their careers.
3. Ensure Equal Access to Opportunities
Be mindful of who gets assigned high-visibility projects or speaking opportunities. If you notice imbalances, take action to ensure women have equal access to career-advancing opportunities.
4. Use Respectful Language
Language shapes culture. The Forbes Council emphasizes: "Always use respectful language when speaking to or about women... not calling women 'the girls in the office' or allowing for terms of endearment, like 'sweetie' or 'honey' when referring to co-workers." These seemingly small language choices can significantly impact how women's contributions are valued. For example, referring to women in leadership as "bossy" instead of "assertive" or calling a male colleague "a go-getter" while labeling a woman with the same traits as "aggressive" can subtly undermine workplace equity. Using inclusive and respectful language fosters a culture of professionalism and mutual respect.
5. Listen and Learn
One of the most powerful things male allies can do is simply listen. Take time to understand the challenges women face in your specific workplace. Ask questions, accept feedback graciously, and be willing to learn from experiences different from your own.
6. Advocate for Fair Policies
Support family-friendly policies that benefit everyone, regardless of gender. Advocate for equitable parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and transparent promotion processes. These systemic changes create environments where all employees can succeed.
7. Model Work-Life Balance
Demonstrate healthy boundaries around work hours and encourage team members to do the same. This helps create a culture where family responsibilities are respected and valued.
8. Speak Up Against Bias
When you witness bias or inappropriate behavior, don't stay silent. As one Forbes expert puts it, we need to "actively promote a culture of collaboration and open communication." This includes respectfully addressing problematic comments or actions, even when uncomfortable.
9. Share Access to Your Networks
As the Forbes Council notes, "Having an expansive network creates a circle of support." Intentionally include women in your professional networks and make introductions that can help advance their careers.
10. Provide Constructive Feedback
Offer the same quality and quantity of constructive feedback to all team members. As one Forbes expert states, "If you have relevant experience or perspectives, it's your duty to share—in a constructive manner—and to support that person's continued growth."
Taking Action This Women's History Month
This March, challenge yourself to implement at least one new practice from this list. Small, consistent actions from male allies can create significant positive change over time.
Remember that being an ally isn't about grand gestures—it's about everyday actions that demonstrate respect, create opportunity, and build genuinely inclusive workplaces where everyone can contribute fully and advance fairly.
By working together across gender lines, we can create workplaces that benefit from diverse perspectives and talents, ultimately building stronger, more innovative organizations for everyone.
How are you supporting women in your workplace?
This blog post was adapted from Forbes.com.