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 This outdated notion of masculinity is harmful not only to men, but to business and society as a whole.
The traditional male stereotype in several cultures includes ideas that men are expected to be assertive, ambitious, independent, self-reliant, in control, strong, and successful earners who have stable jobs and high-income security. These socialised ideals of masculinity motivate men to strive and live up to societal expectations to be strong (vs. weak), self-sufficient (vs. needing help), action-oriented (vs. emotional) and in control of their life (vs. lacking influence on their own life). This can reduce their capacity to acknowledge and recognise their own sadness and articulate those feelings to themselves. As a result, taking the time to think deeply about their feelings often causes anxiety in men, as it makes them realise that their current state doesn’t match their own, or larger society’s, definition of masculinity. In fact, doing so may lead to feelings of shame and embarrassment.
Men's work challenges these traditional ideas and is an important aspect of creating a new leadership culture because it encourages men to step up and take on leadership roles in their personal and professional lives. This work is crucial because it challenges the traditional notions of masculinity and encourages men to be more emotionally intelligent, inclusive, compassionate and authentic leaders.
A third (33%) of men aged 16-34 admit that feelings of embarrassment could prevent them from seeking help with their mental health.
By engaging in activities like self-reflection, emotional expression, and vulnerability, men can learn to better understand and manage their emotions. This, in turn, allows them to be more authentic and effective leaders.
Read Charles Eisenstein’s beautiful essay on men’s work visiting a Sacred Sons men’s gathering.
“What I witnessed confirmed my hope for the future of earth. I thought, “Without the kind of healing I am seeing here, this world has no chance. The world can heal only if men heal. And it is happening. We are ready.”
We have been hearing and reading a lot lately about toxic masculinity as well as toxic femininity and the toxic culture we are living in. So, then what are healthy masculine and feminine energy?
“Men aren’t toxic, they’re traumatised.”
I invite you all to listen to Dr. Gabor Maté on The Man Enough Podcast podcast on our misconceptions about the traumas and “toxicity” within us. He talks about internalised rage, our toxic world culture, childhood trauma and reframing our approach to mental illness.
“To be man enough means to be a human being in connection with his authentic self in the present moment” - Dr. Gabor Maté
Furthermore, men's work encourages men to take on leadership roles and to be proactive in creating positive change in their communities. By stepping up and taking on leadership roles, men can become role models for other men and inspire them to do the same. This can create a ripple effect, leading to a new generation of men who are more authentic and compassionate leaders. Men's work can pave the way for a new generation of leaders who are better equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.
Hence, Unconditional Men was created 😊
Check out our online Circles and Journeys below 🙌🏼
Unconditional Men Circles
The Unconditional Men Circles, a 12-week immersive online experience and journey to integrity will take you on a profound exploration of your inner values, ethics, and principles. This course has been specifically designed to empower men from all walks of life to navigate the complexities of their personal and professional spheres with unwavering integrity.
Unconditional Men Journeys
The Unconditional Men Journeys are holistic online leadership courses, specially designed for formal and informal leaders, (social) entrepreneurs and change-makers to bring regenerative and impactful change to their organisations, and the communities and interpersonal relations around them, in a new and foundational way.
If you are a (potential) leader with a growth mindset, an open heart and a hunger for completeness and innovation embracing personal growth, these courses are the perfect fit for your personal and professional growth.
As leaders, fathers, life partners, friends and brothers, our Unconditional Men Journeys will give you the possibility to evolve by fully acknowledging your creativity, courage, ingenuity, vulnerability, and love for life in sync with nature.
All our courses include activities and rituals to experience and learn methods & tools that will help you to do your inner work, wherever you are in your life.
Deeper Purpose - Living your Longing
Courage - Stepping out of Fear
Breaking Habits - Creating Rituals for Change
Power - Owning your Shadows
Integrity - The Balanced and Integrated Masculine
Each Journey can be followed as a participant separately or as a complete cycle of five journeys. We have as well extended courses for Facilitators and Mentors to join our community and start practicing men’s circles on their own.
Book an interview to learn more
Unconditional Men Newsletter
If you’re interested to learn more about how we empower the authentic transformation of men in service to the regeneration of our communities and the world, you can now sign up to our Unconditional Men Substack newsletter.
“Every man, when he gets quiet, when he becomes desperately honest with himself, is capable of uttering profound truths. We all derive from the same source. There is no mystery about the origin of things. We are all part of creation, all kings, all poets, all musicians; we have only to open up, to discover what is already there.” ~Henry Miller
