So You ink You’re An Ally...

by Youssef Skalli

The word “Allyship” gets applied to a variety of causes advocatng for stronger equality and equity. But the word itself deserves to be defned.

For me, being an ally is not a label, a ttle, or an identty. It is defnitely not an award. It means standing next to and behind the supported individual or group of people. Allyship is not a one-tme acton. Instead, it is a life-long process that consists of asking, learning, unlearning, listening, and speaking up.

Whatever the cause and whoever the individuals are you stand for, they and only they, have the right and the full understanding of what an ally means to them and represents. You may want to positon yourself as an ally, but if it is not validated by the person, your actons will have less impact.

To be an efectve ally, I believe it starts with a selfrefecton on your beliefs,s, self-awareness of your own biases, and is then followed by engaging in a contnuous process of inquiry, listening and learning before actng.

If I want to be your ally, I frst need your help to understand how I can help. I also need to understand clearly what are my advantages, gifs, and privileges that can support both of us in your journey – a journey in which you are the pilot leading the way and I am using my span of infuence to be your co-pilot.

It is important to understand that an ally is not a savior or a fxer. Sometmes just listening actvely and carefully is an act of allyship. Empowering others to take acton or simply to speak up and share their lived experiences is an act of allyship.

When it comes to women’s empowerment, having male allyship is essental for all. What’s more, men also need women as allies. When everyone joins forces for the greater good, we can drive the change needed for now and for generatons to come.

Youssef Skalli is an enthusiastc professional empowerment coach and workshops facilitator with 20+ years of progressive experience in a multnatonal corporate environment.

Afer a successful career in corporate Finance and Human Resources, holding leadership roles in diferent countries and multcultural contexts across the three contnents of Africa, Asia, and Europe, he moved to North America and setled in Otawa – Ontario, Canada where he funded his professional empowerment coaching practce. Connect: htps://www.linkedin.com/in/myskalli/