Disclaimer. This is a work of non-fiction. Although this publication is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered, the publisher and the author assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein. This publication is meant as a source of valuable information for the reader, however it is not meant as a replacement for direct expert assistance. If such level of assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Published by Neem Tree Press Limited 2021
95A Ridgmount Gardens London, UK WC1E 7AZ
Copyright Text Hira Ali 2021
Cover Design by Helen Braid 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address above.
ISBN 978-1-911107-47-7 Paperback
ISBN 978-1-911107-48-4 Ebook
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Biddles Limited
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The years 2020 to 2021 have been very challenging for all of us. I couldnt have survived it without my familys support, especially my mother who keeps me grounded, grateful and resilient, even in the most trying times. I am also grateful to my friends, whose humour and generous listening pulled me through difficult times; my followers whose encouraging reviews kept me going; my team members who helped me create incredible projects; our clients who trusted us to deliver engagements; and my mentors for championing my work and providing referrals. A big, heartfelt thank you to all those who published my articles; featured my interviews; supported my initiatives; gave me shout-outs and brilliant reviews; invited me to talk on TV and radio shows, conferences and panel discussions; nominated me for awards and showcased my work throughout the year.
And finally, special thanks to Archna Sharma, Helen Lewis and especially Liz Buckley for their valuable support in turning this book into a reality. I am also very grateful to Barry Boffy, Marie Sola and Jiten Patel for their valuable insights that helped me in polishing the content of this book.
EARLY PRAISE FOR HER ALLIES
With Her Allies, Hira Ali has delivered the much-anticipated sequel to her ground-breaking book, Her Way To The Top. This new toolkit is a concise and practical guide for any man who wants to truly show up as a co-conspirator and collaborator with women to foster genuine gender equity in the workplace. Men who are ready to embark on the journey toward better allyship will find this guide jam-packed with gender intelligence and actionable strategies for transforming their good intentions into meaningful action. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
W. Brad Johnson PhD
Professor of Psychology, US Naval Academy and
David G. Smith PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology, U.S. Naval War College.
Authors of Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women and Good Guys: How Men Can Become Better Allies for Women in the Workplace
Many of us have good intentions about wanting to challenge inequalities. We often want to do the right thing and to make a real difference, but when the task at hand seems that little bit too overwhelming for just one person to achieve, where do we find the tools to even start?
In Her Allies, Hira Ali has created a practical, step-by-step guide that not only explains the benefits of gender advocacy, but clearly outlines some of the practical ways that this can be achieved. This is a guide for men of all ages, backgrounds and industries, but remains an equally important reminder to women that they are as valuable an advocate for gender equality as their male allies. As an inclusion and diversity professional, Im often looking for new and innovative ways to encourage others to challenge the status quo and in this book, I have found a clear and practical tool to assist me.
Barry Boffy
Head of Inclusion and Diversity, British Transport Police
So many books identify the problems of gender inequality, but this book actually lets you know how to address those problems in a practical and meaningful way. Ditch your excuses of worrying that youll say the wrong thing, not being clear on the issues, or not knowing how. The pragmatic step-by-step approaches that Hira Ali shares are all you need to take action as an ally to women inside and outside of the workplace. This book has the potential to halve the time it will take us to get to gender parity globally. Its compulsory reading for every man who wants a fairer world, where we can all thrive.
Jenny Garrett OBE
Founder, Executive Coach and Leadership Trainer
I am a big fan of Hira and her writing. From her myriad articles supporting womens issues, leadership, diversity and inclusion, to her books; I always come away appreciating her writing style and the information she imparts. Her Allies is especially impactful, in my opinion, as it addresses men directly in a straightforward and informative manner. The first step in addressing an issue is to realise there is an issue and then become informed about it. Her Allies does just that. There is no judgment or blaming. Rather, it is full of well-documented information meant to educate and inform men about gender stereotypes in the workplace. Much of which can easily be disregarded and overlooked if everything remains status quo. There are also useful tips and suggestions for creating a more inclusive environment. This is not only good for employee morale, it is also good for a companys bottom line. My hope is that men in positions, and in the right mindset to become our allies, will take time to read this book and put some thought into how it may apply to them and/or their businesses.
Marie Sola
President and Founder, Daughters of Change
On your journey into allyship, Alis book is an essential primer. It makes no assumptions about what you know or dont know. It provides indispensable background context and then takes you into the how of allyship. While the author speaks primarily to men being allies for women, many of the principles are just as valid to other forms of allyship. I would recommend it whether you are a woman, a man or a gender diverse leader.
