Leaning In Together? Men as Allies in Promoting Gender Equality in Organizations from an Ambivalence Perspective 

Abstract:

Sheryl Sandberg (2013) has called for women to ‘Lean In’ in organizations. Yet, it is clear from research that to achieve change both men and women need to ‘Lean In’. Men must take an active role, as the promotion of gender equality by women alone is limited in effectiveness. In the presentation I draw on ambivalence theory, to offer a comprehensive and systematic review of the diverse findings in earlier studies on men as allies in organizations, accounting for the complexities and nuances of becoming an ally. I trace ambivalence in all components of the allyship process (attitudes, motivations, behaviors, and outcomes) among women and men and chart directions for future research. I will also present findings from recent qualitative experimental and quantitative studies and discuss the theoretical and practical implications.

Speaker:

Ronit Kark is a Full Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Bar-Ilan University and was the founder and former Director of the 'Gender in the Field Graduate Program' at the Gender Studies Program, Bar-Ilan University, Israel. She is also a Distinguished Research Professor at the Exeter School of Business, UK, and an Anna Boyksen Awardee and Fellowship for the Study of Gender and Diversity at the School of Advance Studies of the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Her research interests include leadership and followership, positive relationships and relatedness in organizations, identity and identification processes, gender dynamics in organizations and the role of play in creativity at work. Her work has been published in various leading journals, including The Academy of Management Review, The Academy of Management Annals the AOM Discovery, The Leadership Quarterly, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, Organization, Human Relations and the Journal of Applied Psychology.  She served and serves on multiple editorial boards: an Assoiciate Editor of the The Leadership Quarterly, The International Journal of Management Review and in many other boards, such as: The Academy of Management Review, The Academy of Management Journal, The AOM Discoveries, etc..

Prof. Kark also has extensive experience as a senior management consultant and an organizational psychologist. She has acquired a sound training as an organizational psychologist and consultant. Over the years she has focused on projects that are related to leadership development and diversity and inclusion and has worked internationally with many different types of organizations in the public, private and third sector (NGOs) on diverse types of projects. She has worked with senior managers and top managements (including the UN) and has gained extensive international experience in advancing diversity and developing women’s leadership. Last, she serves voluntarily on the advisory committees and boards of different NGOs in Israel that aim to enhance social change and equity.