The Masculinity Reckoning—Redefining Strength, Connection, and Leadership
Masculinity is in flux. Across the world, men are navigating shifting expectations, economic pressures, and growing disconnection from meaningful relationships and purpose. The traditional models of masculinity—rooted in dominance, emotional suppression, and individualism—are proving unsustainable in today’s complex world.
While some men are embracing a more balanced and conscious approach, others are retreating into reactionary versions of masculinity, fuelled by frustration, alienation, and disillusionment.
Leading in a New Reality - Cathartic Leadership
We live in contradictions.
We hold paradoxes in our hearts—yearning for certainty while knowing that true growth requires uncertainty. We seek truth while navigating a world where right and wrong blur.
Self-leadership does not mean having all the answers—it means cultivating the ability to stay connected to your inner truth amidst uncertainty. It means embracing contradiction, rather than seeking to resolve it into black and white.
It requires learning to trust not just the mind but the body, heart, and soul—to move beyond the fixation on being “right” and instead feel the truth.
In an era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), this will be key. AI may process information, but it will never feel. It will never experience the depth of human connection, the wisdom of intuition, or the profound knowing that emerges from within.
Ode to My Mother
My mother passed away this Wednesday morning. A quiet, peaceful passing.
I never thought I’d write about my mother in a newsletter—certainly not in a business setting. But I’ve come to realise that our relationships with our parents shape us far more than we acknowledge—even in business. Reconnecting to what I had forgotten has brought me to a different place in my life, personally and professionally.
Mum had been fading for years—Alzheimer’s stripping away her short-term memory, her body following close behind. But in her forgetting, something surprising happened. She softened. She laughed more. She remembered love.
I find solace in knowing that she is finally reunited with my father, who passed away eight years ago.
Unconditional Masculinity
Unconditional Masculinity offers a transformative way forward by integrating the mental, somatic, and emotional dimensions of leadership.
This holistic approach enables leaders to reconnect with their purpose, embody presence, and cultivate resilience—not by working harder but by aligning with their deeper intelligence, emotional truth, and physical wisdom.
By shifting from force to flow, control to connection, and burnout to regeneration, leaders can step into a more sustainable, fulfilling, and impactful way of being.
The Unresolved Shadow of the Wounded Masculine
What we are witnessing in the world right now is the unfolding shadow of unresolved wounded masculine energy, accumulated over decades. The dominance of control, aggression, suppression of emotions, and an overemphasis on power and competition has created systemic imbalances in leadership, relationships, and society as a whole.
Rather than facing vulnerability and embracing the deeper, more integrated aspects of masculinity, much of the world has been operating from a place of fear, scarcity, and domination. This shadow manifests in political conflicts, environmental destruction, corporate burnout, and disconnection from emotional intelligence and collective well-being.
However, as these wounds become more visible, they also present an opportunity for healing—an invitation for men and leaders to step into a more conscious, balanced, and regenerative way of being. By acknowledging and working through these patterns, we can collectively shift from a paradigm of control to connection, from isolation to collaboration, and from force to presence, redefining leadership for a new era.
How to Cultivate Resilience in Times of Chaos
We live in a time of unprecedented change; it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and powerless. Many leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers are experiencing fatigue, burnout, and a sense of disconnection—yet the world needs strong, resilient leaders now more than ever.
But resilience is not just about pushing through challenges. True resilience is about staying connected with your essence—your inner wisdom, clarity, and strength—so that no matter how chaotic things become, you remain centred, adaptable, and in flow.
The Future of Leadership: Embracing Complexity and Transcending Polarities
In the chaotic swirl of navigating the tensions and complexities of contemporary society, a profound truth often goes unnoticed: the space in between. It is the silent connection to our humanity, the unspoken emotions we feel but have never learned to fully articulate. To me, this space holds the essence of what truly matters—far more than any technological advancement or AI ever could. In the years to come, this connection will be essential for preserving our humanity and safeguarding the magical planet we call home.
Connecting to Our Truth Within
Connecting to your truth isn’t about picking sides or rejecting dualities. It’s about moving beyond these stories and aligning with the deeper clarity and unity within yourself. At this level, there is no division—only presence.
When you connect to your truth, you can feel it in your heart, your body, and your soul. It transcends the narratives of the ego, which often seeks to protect through defence mechanisms built over the years. Instead, it involves stripping away these defences and aligning the ego with the wisdom of the heart. This creates a healthy, grounded sense of self—a balance between mind, body, and soul.
You know when you are standing in your truth. It feels authentic, certain, and whole. It’s a gentle yet profound alignment that dissolves fear and resonates deeply within.
How do we lead when our systems are falling apart?
After a lifetime of global learning and transformative experiences, I’ve come to realise that the key to navigating the next paradigm shift lies in inner transformation. To create the world we aspire to see, we must first cultivate a clear and authentic vision within ourselves. This calls for a new kind of leadership—one that is deeply aligned, purpose-driven, and free from the constraints of ego or outdated power dynamics.
By connecting to our inner core, we gain the discernment to make decisions that are not only rational but deeply aligned with our hearts and values.
In A New Kind of Leadership, we bring together leaders from diverse backgrounds—CXOs, entrepreneurs, coaches, and more—to redefine leadership for this new era.
A New Kind of Leadership
The world isn’t slowing down, and the need for a new kind of leadership has never been greater. The longer we cling to outdated methods, the harder it becomes to keep up with the demands of modern organisations and teams. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your ability to lead with impact, authenticity, and vision.
Are You Ready?
If you’re ready to break free from outdated models and step into a new kind of leadership, we invite you to join us with some incredible leaders and entrepreneurs. Enrolment is open for just two more weeks, and spaces are limited to ensure an intimate, impactful experience.
A Personal Journey and Mission
Unconditional Men is more than a program; it is a mission. Through retreats, workshops, and online programs, I will continue exploring how we can grow together and create a world our children and grandchildren will want to live in.
This mission is grounded in a positive and inspiring vision for the future—and actionable steps to co-create a more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
If this resonates with you, stay tuned for updates, insights, reflections, and opportunities to engage in this work. Together, we can heal, grow, and build the future we envision.
The Inner Work of Leadership
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, leadership is no longer just about making bold decisions or driving business outcomes. The most impactful leaders are those who have cultivated self-awareness—a deep understanding of their inner world and how it influences their actions, relationships, and decisions.
Self-awareness is more than a buzzword; it’s the foundation for authentic and effective leadership. It allows you to see the bigger picture, lead with clarity, and build trust with your team and stakeholders. But achieving this level of introspection isn’t automatic. It requires intentional effort—inner work—to become aware of the unconscious patterns, beliefs, and emotions that shape your leadership.
How the mother wound shows up in business
In the realm of leadership and business, much attention has been given to external factors like strategy, innovation, and performance metrics. But beneath the surface, unseen emotional patterns often influence our decisions, relationships, and overall effectiveness. One of these deep-rooted patterns is the mother wound—an emotional imprint formed through our early relationship with our mother or maternal figures.
While the father wound often relates to achievement, discipline, and validation, the mother wound speaks to our capacity for connection, care, and self-worth. It shapes how we nurture ourselves and others, how we balance giving and receiving, and how we build relationships in both personal and professional contexts.
Love-Based Decision-Making in Leadership – A New Paradigm
In today’s fast-changing and complex business landscape, leaders are constantly faced with decisions that have far-reaching consequences—not just for their organisations but for society and the planet. Yet, how often do we stop to examine the why behind our decisions? Are we acting out of fear or love?
How the father wound shows up in business
Many businesses and organisations carry unseen legacies that profoundly impact their culture, decision-making, and leadership styles. Known as the "father wound," this dynamic often stems from unresolved emotional issues or unmet needs experienced by key leaders. These wounds manifest in various ways, influencing workplace behaviours, relationships, and organisational health—often without anyone fully realising it.
A New Kind of Leadership: Embracing the Future of Leadership
In today’s fast-changing world, traditional models of leadership and masculinity are becoming obsolete. For decades, business ‘men’ were taught to lead with dominance, power, and control, believing that success is defined by wealth, status, and competitive advantage.
But with global challenges like environmental crises, social injustice, and mental health issues, this model of leadership is no longer sustainable. The future demands leadership that blends strength with empathy and compassion, vision with purpose, and masculine action with feminine intuition and creativity.
This evolution in leadership isn’t just about business success; it’s about shaping a future where humanity and the planet can thrive. To navigate this complexity, leaders must go beyond knowledge, cultivating personal adaptability and self-awareness to lead effectively in the NewNow.
The Need for a New Kind of Masculine Leadership
The old masculine leadership, which often relied on power, control, and the pursuit of wealth and status, is becoming redundant. These outdated models have left many leaders feeling empty, burnt out, and disconnected from their true purpose.
We need a new narrative that integrates core energies, honours relationships with all living beings, and creates a culture of service, compassion, and responsibility. This new form of leadership is less about ego and self-serving goals, and more about contributing to a greater good—shifting from a survive to a thrive mentality.
Why men's work is important to create new leadership culture
When HBR starts writing about Men’s Mental Health at Work we better start paying attention. For too long, traditional ideas of masculinity have focused on power, competitiveness, and aggression. This has led to a culture where men are often afraid to show vulnerability and emotion, and where they are discouraged from seeking help or support. This outdated notion of masculinity is harmful not only to men, but to business and society as a whole.
Louie Valotti on self-inquiry, trauma, and the authentic self
Very interesting episode on self-inquiry, trauma, and the authentic self, with our Unconditional Men friends, Louie Valloti and Giancarlo Canavesio on the Mangu.tv podcast.
Why I started Unconditional Men? (Part II)
When looking around at what’s happening in the world today, IMHO we are seeing the last outbursts of a limited patriarchal belief system and related fear-based controlling power and resource-driven wars.