---
title: "From Performance to Action: 5 Steps for True Allies"
description: Being a true ally in the workplace is an ongoing commitment that requires hard work and humility. Leaders can equip themselves with these 5 tips...
image: https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/christina-wocintechchat-com-LQ1t-8Ms5PY-unsplash.jpg
---

![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/christina-wocintechchat-com-LQ1t-8Ms5PY-unsplash.jpg)

Last week, we discussed [actions that may *look* like allyship](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/avoid-performative-allyship) on the surface, but are more performative than substantive. Your marginalized employees deserve more than a performance—more than empty promises and surface-level actions. To help make a more inclusive and equitable workplace, it is crucial for leaders to turn their promises of support into action.

Here are a few key steps to get started…

### 1. Think Big Picture

Promoting small, one-time actions (a single workshop, an afternoon of “diversity training) can be a good start, but these gestures are ultimately not enough. To truly be an ally and advocate for your underrepresented people, you’ll need to make DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) part of your brand and, ultimately, part of your company’s brand. This means thinking big-picture and looking for ways to enact systemic change. It also means involving the company’s leadership *and *calling on people of various backgrounds and perspectives to contribute to the decision-making (perhaps through special committees or task forces).

### 2. Listen Authentically

True allyship requires deep listening. Make sure to provide a safe space for your employees to share their stories and provide emotional support when needed. Take this opportunity to not only understand the situation, but to also validate it. Let your employees know that you are here to listen and support them.

 

### 3. Step Back

Part of true allyship involves recognizing that you don’t have all the answers. You may want to foster a better work environment for your marginalized employees…but you probably don’t know what, exactly, that looks like. When it comes to enacting DEI-centered changes, it’s wise to step back and let your diverse employees take the lead. Invite as many perspectives and backgrounds to the table as possible, and offer them support and resources to help bring their ideas to fruition.

Remember: It’s not enough to just talk the talk; it’s equally important to walk the walk. Once DEI-driven goals are established, it’s necessary to come up with ways to measure your progress. Hold regular check-ins to ensure the goals are being met and that your allies are following through with their promises.

 

### 4. Invest in DEI Initiatives

As I’ve discussed in past blog posts, diverse teams are often more adept problem-solvers, more creative/innovative, and [produce better results and profitability](https://www.risely.me/why-is-diversity-of-key-importance-in-teams/#Why_is_Diversity_Important_in_the_Workplace?). However, your company may have to invest in DEI initiatives to recruit, include, and nurture diverse talent.

This might mean overhauling your recruitment and hiring program, creating a company-wide DEI action plan, and/or budgeting for program funding. For many companies, hiring a [qualified DEI consultant](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/) is a great first step for establishing a roadmap of potential actions. All of these efforts can be costly, but they’re essential to creating an equitable and inclusive environment (*and *enabling future successes!).

 

### 5. Offer Meaningful Support

A true ally uses their privilege to offer meaningful support to underrepresented workers. This might mean mentoring or sponsoring someone—not only providing guidance, but also bringing them to meetings, advocating for them, and involving them in conversations and decision-making. Your support should be active, visible, and ongoing.

Meaningful support may also involve speaking up to defend employees who are victims of gaslighting, microaggressions, or discriminatory language. Send the message to your team that these behaviors are not acceptable.

--

True allyship isn’t something you can achieve overnight. It’s an ongoing commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for your underrepresented employees. If you use these steps as a starting point, you can make sure that your promises of support are followed up with concrete, meaningful action.

## Related Articles

[![](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Partners%20working%20while%20having%20a%20coffee%20together%20in%20cosy%20meeting%20room.jpeg) ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-in-the-workplace)

[Diversity](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/diversity) [Hiring](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/hiring) [Race](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/race) [Business](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/business)

### [Why Care About DEI in the Workplace?](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-in-the-workplace)

Today, the U.S. is having a moment of reckoning in terms of discrimination towards racial and ethnic groups, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. In...

![Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg?width=45&name=Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg) 

[Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh) 

[Read More](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-in-the-workplace)

[![multi-colored balloons connected by ribbons and held by a hand. ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/gaelle-marcel-vrkSVpOwchk-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-workplace-new-years-resolutions)

[Impact](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/impact) [goals](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/goals) [Inclusion](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/inclusion) [DEI Practitioner](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/tag/dei-practitioner)

### [4 DEI Resolutions for a More Inclusive Workplace in the New Year](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-workplace-new-years-resolutions)

For many businesses, the new year is more than a symbolic clean slate or a fresh start. It’s a time when meaningful planning takes plan—an opportunity to influence the...

![Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg?width=45&name=Flying%20Elephant%20Brand%20Photos-18.jpg) 

[Deanna Singh](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh) 

[Read More](https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/dei-workplace-new-years-resolutions)

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3856324&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Deanna Singh",
    "url" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/author/deanna-singh"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-04-24T17:51:17.588Z",
  "datePublished" : "2023-03-09T06:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "From Performance to Action: 5 Steps for True Allies",
  "image" : [ "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/christina-wocintechchat-com-LQ1t-8Ms5PY-unsplash.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/blog/actions-for-true-allies",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.upliftingimpact.com/hubfs/2023%20Uplifting%20Impact%20Logo%20(60%20%C3%97%2060%20px).png"
    },
    "name" : "Flying Elephant"
  }
}
```