We’ve got some work to do if we want to level the playing field for women in the workplace, especially in male-dominated industries like tech. Recently a trusted colleague brought up the idea of applying change management principles to creating this shift. Brilliant! This model comes in handy, giving us a framework to create male allies and promote gender equity.
First off, we need to raise AWARENESS about the importance of gender equity and the need for male allies. We need to provide education and training on issues like gender bias, diversity, and inclusion, so everyone’s on the same page.
Next up, we need to create a DESIRE among male employees to become allies. We can do this by highlighting the positive impact male allies can have on the workplace and encouraging them to become advocates for gender equity.
Then, we need to give our allies the KNOWLEDGE they need to be effective allies. We’re talking about training and education on unconscious bias, communication, and leadership skills. We need to make sure our male allies have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by their female colleagues and are equipped with the tools to support them.
After that, it’s all about practice, practice, practice. To create the ABILITY, we need to provide opportunities for male allies to flex their new skills and knowledge. We’re talking about mentoring programs, networking events, and other initiatives that bring male and female employees together. We want to create a safe and inclusive environment where male allies can learn from their female colleagues and vice versa.
Last but not least, we need to give our male allies REINFORCEMENT to keep ’em going. We’re talking about recognition programs, feedback mechanisms, and other initiatives that celebrate and reinforce positive behavior. We want to recognize and reward male allies for their efforts and provide ongoing support and encouragement.
So there you have it. With the ADKAR model, we have a blueprint to create male allies in the workplace and promote gender equity. Let’s do this thing!