Lessons from Dwinita Mosby-Tyler on how to be an ally at work: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Speak when it matters, even when you do not have to.”
Creating a more inclusive world has never depended only on those who experience injustice. Meaningful progress happens when people who do not personally need change choose to take action. This is the core of allyship. In conversations about how to be an ally, what is an ally, and how workplace allyship drives inclusion, one idea consistently stands out: sometimes the most powerful voices for equity come from the people we least expect.
This idea is highlighted in Dwinita Mosby-Tyler’s TED Talk Want a More Just World? Be an Unlikely Ally, which challenges us to reconsider who holds influence and who has the power to disrupt harmful norms. Her message positions allyship as a form of leadership. It is not about identity, but about responsibility, courage and choosing to act.
A Childhood Moment That Reveals Why Allyship Matters
In her talk, Mosby-Tyler shares a story from the segregated American South. At age five, she arrived at a ballet class only to hear, “We do not accept Negroes.” Beyond the pain of the moment, she grew up wondering why those who had the power to speak up did not. This question became central to her life’s work and to her understanding of why allyship matters: silence from bystanders can deepen harm as much as the act of exclusion itself.
What Is an Ally? The Power of Becoming an Unlikely Ally
At its core, being an ally is the active use of one’s voice, access and influence to advance equity. Mosby-Tyler expands this with the idea of the “unlikely ally,” someone who:
- Is not personally affected by the injustice
- Does not need the change for themselves
- Chooses to act anyway
- Uses their influence to lead, not just support
This concept is especially relevant in workplaces. People with the most institutional power are often the least affected by inequity. When they interrupt bias or push for fairer processes, the impact is magnified. Becoming an ally is not an identity someone claims. It is a behaviour that shows up through everyday decisions, especially when speaking up would be easier to avoid.
Why Allyship Requires More Voices
Real progress needs more than the voices of those experiencing harm. It requires people with privilege or influence to take responsibility for creating fair environments. When individuals who are not directly affected choose to speak up, they share the weight of advocacy and help move systems forward.
Allyship also gains power when unexpected voices challenge old patterns. As Mosby-Tyler notes, if the same people speak up in the same ways, the results will not change. New voices create new possibilities.
How to Be an Ally in the Workplace: Practical Lessons
These five practices, inspired by Mosby-Tyler’s, offer a simple starting point for anyone looking to practise allyship at work:
- See allyship as an action, not an identity. Small, consistent actions often matter more than statements or labels.
- Build skills that support intervention. Training in bystander intervention or inclusive leadership helps people step in when it counts.
- Encourage people with influence to lead change. Those with power can challenge norms that others may not feel safe questioning.
- Foster psychological safety so support can be accepted. Teams thrive when people feel safe asking for help and trusting its intent.
- Shift not only what is said, but who is saying it. Unexpected voices challenging old habits signal shared responsibility for inclusion.
Real Change Needs Unlikely Allies
Lasting change happens when ordinary people choose to act in moments that matter. Mosby-Tyler’s call is simple and practical: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Speak when it matters, even when you do not have to.” These words remind us that allyship is not reserved for certain identities or roles. It is a choice that each of us can make.
For anyone wondering how to be an ally or what allyship looks like at work, the invitation is clear. Allyship belongs to everyone. And often, the most meaningful change comes from the allies no one saw coming.
To explore these ideas further, watch Dwinita Mosby-Tyler’s full TED Talk below.
How to Be an Ally at Work: Training and Resources
If you or your team want to build real allyship skills and understand how to be an ally at work, Inclusivity offers training that strengthens confidence and everyday action.
Learn more about our programs on topics such as Allyship, Power and Privilege, Unconscious Bias and Bystander Intervention: https://inclusivityinsight.com/inclusivity-training/
