Allyship Case Study 6

I only realised that I have only worked in predominantly female workplaces, hospitals, schools and libraries, when I was directly asked whether it has ever bothered me? I can honestly say that it hasn’t. 

For men working in an all-female environment, seeking to build successful working relationships, I would say empathy is a key skill, but not just showing empathy, acquiring it too. Talk to the women at work, try and get a grasp of the obstacles they face in their lives and at work. They have challenges that we will never have, whilst we might not fully understand them, at least let us acknowledge them and be compassionate.  

I have never worked anywhere where women have seen me as the enemy and looked to pounce on my every mistake. That is lucky for me as, like most men I don’t always get things right, fortunately the women I have worked with have deduced that I don’t act maliciously or purposefully seek to cause offence. But I have been challenged and changed everywhere I have worked. For example, I am quite introverted but the women at work have influenced me to share more of my emotions. I am a different person now.  

I’ll finish with an abiding memory from my first professional post. The whole team had to complete a personality test. I had done one before so thought I knew what my results would be. After 6 months working with my mentor I was shocked that I didn’t get the same results as before. Spending just 6 months with my new mentor had changed my outlook and the way I learn and think! The lesson for me was that the way we behave at work impacts our colleagues. Everyone has something to offer in the workplace, and if we all treat each other with mutual respect the office becomes a welcoming thriving environment.