Amplify July is BACK!

Welcome to Inclusion Is Leadership, a biweekly infusion of insights, research, and guidance to create inclusive workplaces. Created by Ruchika Tulshyan, inclusive leadership advisor, founder of Candour, author of Inclusion On Purpose , and creator of the LinkedIn Learning course: Moving DEI from Intention to Impact .

Author’s note: Before I dive into this week’s newsletter, I want to make space to acknowledge that many of us are not okay right now. We are a global society, and the violence and devastation in Gaza, Ukraine, and around the world affects us all. We are right to experience grief. It is important to stay informed and to take action, and it is also important to refill our cups when we need to. Please, during this difficult and heartbreaking time, remember to keep caring for yourself. Rest when you need to so you can keep on in our advocacy for peace.

“How can I be a good ally?”?

I’ve been asked this question more times than I can count. It’s meant well, but the wording isn’t quite right. You see, an ally isn’t something you are, it’s something you do . Allyship is continuous action, practiced consistently and meaningfully.?

Practicing allyship doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, one of the simplest ways to do it is also one of the most powerful: amplify the voices of others who don’t have the same influence, platform and privilege as you.

In this context, amplification means to use your platform and influence to help uplift others, especially those from underestimated groups. By doing this, we not only ensure that more voices are heard, but we create a culture of success. People feel safer and more confident speaking up and sharing ideas. We establish an environment where we can learn more about each other and the world, particularly when it comes to experiences that are different from our own. Most of all, it helps us build a world where we uncompete—where we practice collaboration, abundance and generosity over competition, scarcity and zero-sum thinking.

We all have an opportunity to amplify others, even if we think we don't.

It could look like giving credit to the woman of color who often gets talked over in meetings or selecting someone who is fully qualified, but often overlooked, to lead a client presentation. It could mean seeking, frequenting, and praising and buying from marginalized entrepreneurs and business owners. And it absolutely could look like using your social media platform to shout out people whose ideas and stories and products should be elevated.

Turning over the mic to others is essential to building an inclusive, equitable society. Not to speak for others, but to create opportunities for them to speak for themselves.

I am fortunate enough to have a combined follower count of nearly 60,000 people across all of my social media platforms.? So this July, I’m using that privilege to highlight you!

Every weekday in July, I’ll be highlighting a different person. If you have something to say that needs to be amplified, please submit to be featured here! ?

I can’t wait to see your submissions!

Thank you for joining me for another edition of Inclusion is Leadership! Want to learn more? Check out my website , and please consider joining nearly 300,000 people who have taken my LinkedIn Learning course: Moving DEI from Intention to Impact .