Men's Work: Supporting men at work
Men on the Hill
Thirty years ago, whilst training to be a counsellor, I set up and ran a men’s group called ‘Men on the Hill’. The eleven members met fortnightly, and by creating a safe, confidential space were able to share from the heart, experience being listened to, and learn how to listen to others. It ran for four years, and changed all our lives for the better.
That’s me in the back row, second from the right.
Redefining success at work
I now want to explore how men's groups can transfer to the workplace, and benefit both individual men and the organisations they work for.
The stereotype of the successful man in business is often someone who is relentlessly ambitious, self-reliant, and who suppresses their emotions. While this can appear to drive achievement, it can also lead to a lack of authenticity, disconnection, and burnout. Men can feel trapped by societal expectations, and unable to express vulnerability or seek support.
This can lead to health problems, both mental or physical, which mean the organisation suffers as well, from reduced productivity, and increased absenteeism.
How I can help
I’ve seen so many men in business struggle in silence — leaders, managers, and employees alike — that I feel compelled to take action.
That’s why I’ve launched Men Listening – a project that organises online men’s groups. These are safe and supportive spaces where groups of eight men meet regularly to share their thoughts and feelings about work, and explore the tensions between who they are as people, and who they are in their organisational roles.
Challenging the narrative of the ‘successful' man
I want to help men find healthier and more satisfying ways of fulfilling their roles. This won't just help the men involved – it will have a ripple effect, positively impacting all their relationships within their work settings and beyond.
Organisations will benefit from having male employees who are more resilient, and – through being able to bring their whole selves to work – are more able to contribute to the success of the business.
The 'Men Listening' project
Traditionally, ‘successful’ men in business tend to be good at talking, with listening seen as a secondary skill. However, in any transformation – corporate or personal – listening is critical to enable a full awareness of self and others.
Listening in this sense is more than the use of our ears. Instead it is about paying close attention to what is going on inside us and around us, and experiencing each situation as it is, rather than how we would like it to be.
I have set up the Men Listening project to help men experience a new way of connecting with other men that will support them to bring more of themselves into the workplace.
Men Listening is an online group of eight men that meets fortnightly for 90 minutes. We have a set of seven ground rules that all members must agree to before joining, which allow us to create a safe space for sharing and listening.
Traditionally, ‘successful’ men in business tend to be good at talking, with listening seen as a secondary skill. However, in any transformation – corporate or personal – listening is critical to enable a full awareness of self and others.
Listening in this sense is more than the use of our ears. Instead it is about paying close attention to what is going on inside us and around us, and experiencing each situation as it is, rather than how we would like it to be.
I have set up the Men Listening project to help men experience a new way of connecting with other men that will support them to bring more of themselves into the workplace.
Men Listening is an online group of eight men that meets fortnightly for 90 minutes. We have a set of seven ground rules that all members must agree to before joining, which allow us to create a safe space for sharing and listening.
FAQ - Men Listening
