How to be Good Guys with Brad Johnson and David Smith

Love in Action

Brad Johnson is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the United States Naval Academy, a Faculty Associate in the Graduate School of Education at Johns Hopkins University, and an author. David Smith is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the US Naval War College, a gender, work and family researcher, a speaker and an author. Their book, titled Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace, is a practical, research-based guide on male allyship for gender equality at work. They join Marcel Schwantes to discuss how men can become gender equality allies at home and at work.Evidence reveals that the #MeToo movement has increased the likelihood of men avoiding women entirely at work. [1:48]If men are not involved in the process of creating gender equality in the workplace, David argues, it becomes difficult for women to make a difference by themselves because men are usually the majority. [5:50]Marcel, Brad and David talk about obstacles in the way of male allyship. Statistics say that 60% of men in corporate America now feel less comfortable about having a mentoring relationship or coffee meeting with women at the workplace since the advent of the #MeToo movement. “There are a lot of false narratives around [the #MeToo movement], mostly perpetuated by men, that women are now dangerous writers, but there’s no evidence to support that,” Brad says. [9:55]“Guys, you can’t throw on your ally cape at work when you’re not showing up as an ally at home,” Brad advises. Step up as an ally at home, before you step up at work. Women are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic; on average, women have twice as many domestic responsibilities and do twice as much child care as men do. [15:42]David and Brad share important strategies with Marcel and listeners about how allies should interact with women at work. [23:11]Gender equality and gender inclusion affect the bottom line. Companies that have gender balance all the way up to the executive boards, make more money, are more creative, and achieve more mission success. [31:40]ResourcesBrad Johnson on LinkedIn WBradJohnson.comDavid Smith on LinkedIn | TwitterWorkplaceAllies.comGood Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace