Effective allyship is ‘intentional’ and requires ‘curiosity’

Allyship is about being “intentional” and consistent with actions, demonstrating “solidarity” with underrepresented or marginalised groups, and essentially being “a good person”, according to panellists at the Women in Open Banking Meetup, held on 17 June in London.

At the Meetup, which took place at host partner KPMG’s offices in Canary Wharf, Eline Blomme, chief product and strategy officer at Acquired, Matt Jackson, vice president, partner management at Token.io, and Catherine Dixon, chair of The Payment Institutions Association, took part in a discussion on allyship and why it matters.

They shared instances and examples of when they had shown up for others, both inside the workplace and externally, and what they had learned about themselves through being an ally.

A recent LinkedIn poll run by Open Banking Expo, which asked ‘What defines a great ally?’, found that 79% believe it is about ‘advocating for others’, while 21% said allyship is ‘challenging workplace bias’.

Blomme discussed calling out problem behaviours as they happen at work, to avoid a situation where individuals feel unheard or misrepresented which, long term, could build into anger and resentment.

She also talked about the importance of implementing processes and policies from the top down in the workplace to effect “structural”, rather than “performative”, change.

For Token.io’s Jackson, allyship is all about being supportive and getting out of the way of other colleagues to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

He also talked about the need for men in leadership positions to demonstrate allyship in the fight for gender parity by showing up at events like Women in Open Banking.

The panellists agreed that being a “good” or “effective” ally is a process that requires constant learning, “curiosity” and, sometimes, the need to ask questions and be allowed to make mistakes.

Dixon spoke about how allyship also requires supporting groups or individuals whose experiences are shaped by multiple intersecting identities.

She also addressed an audience question about not placing the burden on those who are marginalised, by educating yourself about the challenges they face in the workplace, rather than relying on those individuals to inform you.

Women in Open Banking is a global initiative organised by Open Banking Expo, with more than 1,000 members.

The Open Banking Expo Awards is open for entries – enter yourself or a colleague in the Women in Open Banking Rising Star and Woman of the Year categories.