The 5 Levels of Male Allyship

A Guide to Building Better Teams Through Real Inclusion

What does it really mean for men to support gender equity—and where do they start?

Male allyship is critical in attaining gender parity in today’s organizations. And data shows that many men want to be better allies but just don’t know what to do, don’t know where to look, or don’t have the support they need.

In The 5 Levels of Male Allyship, inclusion experts Dr. Shawn Andrews and Michael O’Brien deliver a groundbreaking framework that charts the path from passive awareness to courageous advocacy. From the resistant Traditionalist to the fully engaged Champion, this book addresses the fears, pressures, and cultural forces that hold men back from meaningful support and offers tools to overcome them.

Drawing on hundreds of interviews with men and women across industries, this practical and eye-opening guide helps men understand where they are on the allyship spectrum—and how to move forward with intention and impact.

In an era when diversity efforts face backlash and burnout, The 5 Levels of Male Allyship makes the case that gender inclusion isn’t a zero-sum game: it’s a win for men, women, and entire organizations. Packed with real-world examples, self-assessments, and more than 60 strategies for personal and professional growth, this book empowers men to become stronger teammates while also guiding women and HR leaders in identifying and developing more male allies.

If you want to build a better workplace, this is your blueprint. The future of allyship begins here.

$28.00
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ISBN: 979-8-89138-506-1
Imprint: Amplify Publishing
SKU: 18-1376-01
Categories:Amplify Publishing, Business and Finance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“In an era when diversity efforts face backlash and burnout, The 5 Levels of Male Allyship is more than timely—it’s essential. This book is a straight-up game plan for creating real change. Clear, honest, and long overdue. If you care about building workplaces where everyone thrives, you need to read this.”

—Mel Robbins, #1 New York Times–bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast

“Shawn Andrews and Michael O’Brien have written the kind of book we need now more than ever—moving the conversation of allyship beyond performative gestures and into the kind of inclusive leadership that actually makes a difference. This book doesn’t point fingers or shame; it invites reflection, growth, and responsibility. Every team, every leader, and every organization serious about equality should read this book.”

—Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times–bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“The 5 Levels of Male Allyship is for men who care about being great colleagues and leaders—and are ready to move beyond good intentions into meaningful action. It’s a powerful guide for men, women, and anyone who wants to create better organizations.”

—Dorie Clark, executive education faculty at Columbia Business School and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game

“Andrews and O’Brien not only provide an empowering and optimistic vision of the future for both men and women—they present dozens of practical strategies that men can use to be better allies to make that vision a reality. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in building better teams through real inclusion.”

—Josh Linkner, New York Times bestselling author, five-time tech entrepreneur, venture capital investor, and professional jazz guitarist 

“As a global workforce expert and leadership coach, I know that meaningful workplace change doesn’t happen without intentional allyship, and that’s why The 5 Levels of Male Allyship is such a powerful and timely resource. This book doesn’t just talk about allyship; it maps out a practical journey for men who want to do more than just say the right things. What I appreciate most is the authors’ honest, compassionate approach. They combine research, personal stories, and voices of both men and women to paint a full picture of what real allyship looks like. While this guide speaks directly to men, it also empowers women and HR leaders to recognize and cultivate stronger allies in the workplace. I encourage everyone to not just read it, but to live it.”

—Dr. Shirley Davis, global workforce expert, inclusive leadership thought leader, and author of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Dummies

Dr. Shawn Andrews

DEI leadership expert

DrShawnAndrews.com

Dr. Shawn Andrews is an international keynote speaker, organizational consultant, professor, and author of the bestselling book The Power of Perception: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and the Gender Divide. She has worked with more than 100 organizations—including the United Nations, Johnson & Johnson, the US Forest Service, the National Diversity Council, and the Society for Human Resource Management—to eliminate the emotional and economic costs of exclusion. You can find out more about her and download a free twenty-five-page self-assessment, The 5 Levels of Male Allyship Workbook, at DrShawnAndrews.com.

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