Allyship in action: Small Gestures, Big Impact.

If there’s a gift from the heavens I could pluck

It’d be the attitude to always thank my good luck

If life ever feels swell, it boils down to this attitude

To always feel thankful and filled with gratitude.

Most of us inhabit a world that feels like we live in the best of times and the worst of times - much like Charles Dickens felt, when he wrote the immortal opening lines of “A Tale of Two Cities”. Interested in a hack to feel it’s always the best of times? Read on (warning - you may not be able to write dramatic opening lines to any novels if you learn this hack)

Gratitude is the under-appreciated foundation of so much joy and greatness in the world. Take a quick moment and think about something you ought to feel grateful for today - felt good, didn't it? I’m grateful right now to be sitting in Google’s gorgeous new office in Bangalore. I feel outrageously lucky to be here and the opportunity reminds me of all the people on whose shoulders I’ve been privileged to stand, to get here.

I’ve had the privilege of working with many people who are not only talented, but also genuinely grateful for the work they do. At Google, this has long been a driving force behind the innovative, inclusive environment that makes us such a coveted place to work. Closely aligned with my personal values, it’s also one of the key reasons why I joined the Android team in India in early-2023.

In previous roles, I had the honor of serving as the global executive sponsor for employee groups, such as Unity (PayPal’s Women’s affinity group) and Pride. Those experiences meant a lot to me. My life and career have been shaped and aided immeasurably by the privilege of a stable supportive family, a good education that didn’t burden me with debt, and countless other opportunities that many people don’t usually have. That’s why I’m passionate about advocating for others—both inside and outside of the workplace.

Over the years, I’ve learned that being an ally and strong advocate doesn’t require a big time commitment or grand gestures. Empowering others is simply about showing up consistently in ways that make a positive difference in people’s lives and making mindful choices to uplift those whose voices should be amplified.

Allyship is about being a good person

Through my experiences and reflection, I've come to the conclusion that allyship is not a whole lot more than simply being a good person. It means using one's power, whether through words or actions, to support others and offer validation when it matters most. To be a good ally, you need to be aware of your privileges and sensitive to the challenges others face when they don’t have the privileges you take for granted. We all come from different backgrounds, and understanding what others go through is the first step in advocating for them. You don’t need to wait for formal training to make a difference—just exercise your empathy by genuinely trying to understand someone else’s perspective. I’ve learned a ton from the women in my life - my mom, wife and two gen-Z daughters. They have taught me to listen carefully, never make assumptions and to always ask questions. Through a few trials and many errors I’ve realized that my assumptions—no matter how good my intentions—might miss the mark substantially, and that it’s better to ask someone what they need than to assume what their life is like and what helps them best.

The latency between observation and judgement about people needs to be as high as possible. The latency between observation, objective questioning and decisive helpful action based on the information, needs to be as low as possible.

The power of small actions

One of the easiest ways to practice allyship is through everyday actions—the small moments where you intentionally choose to lift someone up, advocate for them, or make space for their voice. For example, by offering feedback or praise about someone when they’re not in the room. It’s about being mindful of the choices you make, even in situations that may not be convenient for you.?

A few years ago, I played host to the CFO and several members of his staff at my previous company for a few days during his visit to India. During the entire visit, one of my colleagues from the facilities team was incredibly engaged and attentive to the needs of the entire cohort, anticipating and attending to their needs proactively without once being asked. During dinner on the final day of the visit, the CFO asked that this individual be invited and specifically asked to be seated next to him. And throughout the dinner, the CFO made sure my colleague knew how his work was not only noticed and appreciated, but that he (the CFO) had learnt many valuable lessons by watching my colleague in action. While this may not have been a grand gesture, it sent a signal to the rest of the organization on how everybody can be an exemplar in their own context if they work with passion and be recognized for it. And it certainly made my colleague feel valued and celebrated for all the right reasons - an act he would very likely be motivated to pay forward and build a culture of allyship. In my career and my life, I know that I’ve been the privileged recipient of much generosity from advocates and sponsors when I am not in the room.

Allyship and advocacy inspire a powerful and positive ripple effect, as people pay goodwill and encouragement forward.

Don’t let anyone be invisible

Allyship isn’t just about advocating for the people you work with directly, it’s about creating a culture of care for everyone. Most human beings derive confidence about their place in the world from how others see them in the world and acknowledge their importance in their world. Even the simplest of gestures that make a colleague feel seen and like they matter, can have a huge impact in how they feel about their work and their lives. From the cleaning staff at the office to teammates and cross-functional partners, many people contribute positively to our daily lives in ways we might not always notice, much less take the time to acknowledge and recognize. A happy smile of recognition, greeting/thanking someone by name, a handshake delivered with warmth - these simple everyday gestures can make a huge difference in how people feel respected, valued, and included.

Advocacy opens the door, but it should never take the spotlight

Strong allyship creates space for others to shine. When you advocate for someone, you open doors for them. You can offer opportunities, but it’s their hard work and journey that will carry them forward.

I think about this every time I have the chance to support someone, whether it’s by offering a recommendation, encouraging a promotion, or doing something else to help. My role is to open the door, offer the validation they might not have received otherwise, and then let them walk through it on their own.

Being an ally and advocate isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being present, being mindful, and showing up consistently and using your words and actions to support others in meaningful ways.

We all have the ability to make a difference. And often, it’s the smallest actions - a few words of kindness, a nod of understanding and commiseration, a gentle shoulder lent in support at the right time - that make the biggest impact.

#LifeAtGoogle #ThriveAtGoogle