Real Talk on Allyship in Engineering: Using Your Position to Support Others

"I don't think about being an ally as a badge or a thing... I start from the point of view of wanting to be a better person and be good to the people around me."While many discussions about allyship in tech focus on company-wide initiatives, what concrete steps can individual contributors and technical leaders take to create more equitable environments? How can you use your influence, expertise, and social capital to support colleagues from underrepresented groups?In this episode, Lena speaks with Leo, an experienced staff engineer who shares practical, behind-the-scenes ally actions that senior technical contributors can implement, regardless of their management status.This conversation explores:Understanding the socio-technical systems that shape workplace dynamicsSimple meeting tactics that create space for more voices to be heardHow documentation can serve as a powerful tool for influence and recognitionBuilding relationships and trust that enable you to advocate effectivelyLearning from missed opportunities and growing as an allyUsing established credibility to challenge unfair practicesWhether you're a senior engineer, tech lead, or individual contributor with influence through tenure, expertise, or connections, this episode offers actionable approaches to supporting colleagues and creating more inclusive environments.Full episode transcript link.ResourcesPeople of Color in Tech: Empowering DiversityWhy this podcast existsLeadership Confidential provides a space for honest conversations about the hard parts of leadership that most people only discuss behind closed doors. From my close work with dozens of leaders every week, I know that many struggle with topics like creating inclusive environments, navigating power dynamics, and supporting team members effectively. This podcast is where we talk about it.About your hostI'm Lena Reinhard (she/they), a fractional VP Engineering, leadership coach, mentor, and facilitator. Having served as an engineering executive with companies like CircleCI and Travis CI, and as a SaaS startup co-founder & CEO, I have dedicated my career to helping fast-paced organizations across the globe succeed in times of high change and challenging markets. You can regularly find me speaking at tech conferences and read my practical guides for leaders in the technology space on my website.