Opening up the networks of support for men

Through many conversations with male leaders I’ve discovered huge amounts of suppressed grief and deep feelings of loss, rejection, abandonment —particularly after relationship breakdowns, divorce (whether as a parent of child) or bereavements— that remain hidden, stuck and unprocessed.

Many have expressed the pressure they feel '“to be successful” and live up to their potential. Or are holding regret for not knowing "how" to support friends struggling with mental health challenges, sometimes with tragic outcomes like suicide. They often describe putting on a ‘brave face’ while feeling wretched inside, with their emotional suppression manifesting as moody or temperamental behaviour, impacting their teams and productivity which only increases the pressure they feel to ‘perform’.

This disconnection can also make it difficult for some men to fully empathise with others, including the pain women and other marginalised groups experience around issues like violence, inequality, and abuse, holding them back from fully engaging in positive initiatives of inclusion and equality, that many organisations are working towards.

What the research tells us

Research by Dr. Judy Chu (When Boys Become Boys: Development, Relationships, and Masculinity) shows that boys as young as 6 or 7 begin learning to hide their emotions to conform to societal and/or familial or cultural expectations of masculinity which often continues in the workplace. Richard V. Reeves (Of Boys and Men) highlights how cultural beliefs perpetuate the idea that emotional expression is a sign of weakness, embedding these patterns over time.

Yet we have seen that when men are supported to connect with their own emotions, they unlock the capacity for greater empathy and relational leadership. This not only enhances their ability to support others but also fosters meaningful progress toward gender equality in the workplace and beyond.

Over the years, I’ve encountered many of the common myths about men and their emotions—such as the belief that men are naturally unemotional, that vulnerability makes them weak, or that anger is the only ‘acceptable’ emotion to display. These stereotypes, reinforced by societal norms, often lead men to dismiss or deny their feelings, creating barriers to their well-being, effective leadership and relational growth.

That’s why the 90-Day Male Leadership Accelerator, designed specifically for mid-level male leaders*, offers a safe coaching environment where men can:

• share their real emotions and stop hiding feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression.

• create deep connections and support with like-minded leaders and change-makers.

• let go of any feelings such as weakness or failure when they feel vulnerable or unsure.

• embody humility and curiosity rather than anger, aggression, or control.

• model a future-fit approach to leadership that inspires and influences their team.

What the programme includes :

A trusted space to tap into the collective wisdom of the group, break out and widen from fixed patterns of thinking, and access practical tools, strategies, and exercises for personal growth.

• A 45-minute 1:1 orientation call with Lisa or Daniel to set personal intentions and objectives.

• 10 hours of transformational group coaching** delivered over five sessions with Lisa and Daniel, designed to accelerate growth and learning.

• A 75-minute follow-up 1:1 coaching session with Lisa or Daniel to support individual application, embedding, and learning.

so that post participation, men should feel confident and able to:

• expand their capacity for growth, through witnessing others’ breakthroughs.

• encourage a playful and supportive team spirit during any change or challenging process.

• hold space and listen deeply to others—a critical leadership skill.

• identify unspoken, hidden barriers that are holding back their teams and impacting on connection and performance.

• spark inspiration and foster collaboration through shared accountability and real-time practice.

* Senior leaders can also participate in these programmes but may prefer bespoke, individual support. Let’s discuss your needs.

**Whether delivered online, in person, or in a hybrid format, group coaching harnesses the creative and energetic power of the collective. This proven approach activates, energizes, and expands possibilities, delivering results shown to be 6–10x more impactful than traditional methods.

What organisations can expect to see after their male leaders experience this programme

The benefits to an organisation can be numerous but the most common outcomes expected would be:

Visible modelling of a healthier, conscious, present & connected style of leadership
A coaching focus on self-awareness, self-reflection, connection and presence will help male leaders shift from the need to constantly prove themselves as perfect or "bullet-proof" to modelling an authentic, honest leadership style others will want to replicate - and feel they have permission and guidance to do so.

Increased and sustained energy and reduced sickness
A coaching focus on building capacity by connecting to new sources of energy will support male leaders to shift from feelings of overwhelm and burnout to feeling expansive, energised and resourced, which they then pass on helping their teams to do the same.

Expanded vision & clarity of purpose that inspires others
A coaching focus on clearer alignment and openhearted connection to something greater will help male leaders move themselves and their teams from feeling disconnected or disenfranchised, to being anchored in both their own highest values and the values and culture of the business.

Renewed drive and empathy for efforts around equity and inclusion
Men who feel more emotionally connected and whole find it easier to speak up and step forward for others, improving gender relations and adding persuasive voices to culture change initiatives.

How to enroll

This programme is available in-house for groups of 6-15 men over a period of 90 days but can also be delivered in a shorter, more intense in-person or online workshop format. Let’s discuss you or your organisations needs.

Who is leading this programme and WHY?

As long time experts in leadership development and deep transformative coaching we know that the systems and ways of working that have shaped our world today were largely built by men, for men. But they’re no longer fit for purpose. The cracks are showing—in business, in society, and in the inner lives of many.

The specific challenges we see and want to address include:

🔹 Men’s Mental Health Crisis
Evidence shows that depression affects over 5% of the global population, yet men are far less likely to seek support. The statistics are stark: men aged 45-49 have the highest suicide rate (25.3 per 100,000), and men account for 75% of all suicide deaths.

🔹 The Backlash Against DEI and Gender Relations
Many men feel caught in the middle of changing workplace dynamics. Some feel blamed; others are unsure how to engage. Meanwhile, outdated gender expectations are holding everyone back. Women still carry the mental and emotional load at work and home, while men are boxed into rigid roles. With only 8 out of 100 FTSE CEOs being women (a number that’s barely shifted in 20 years) and the mass exodus of women from senior roles at 50 (‘Queenager brain drain’), we see a system that’s failing both men and women. Businesses are paying the price through stifled innovation, poor leadership cultures and non-inclusive “group think” at the top, high turnover and low morale.

🔹 Violence Against Women & Girls—A Leadership Issue
A 2023 Catalyst study found that while 86% of men want to address sexism, only 31% feel confident doing so. Leadership isn’t just about strategy and performance; it’s about shaping culture. Male socialisation often discourages emotional expression, leading to stress, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and unconscious biases that reinforce inequality. When male leaders develop emotional intelligence and confidence in ally-ship, real change happens.

🔹 The Rise of Toxic Influencers and the Need for Real Role Models for Young Men and Boys
Young men and boys are being pulled into narratives that equate power with dominance, success with money and strength. In an era where manipulative influencers have been thriving, leadership must offer an alternative. We need more male leaders to role model depth, integrity, and connection—not just performance, profit.

As the parent of a teenage boy (and two girls) who has witnessed and continually experiences the challenges of being a male leader first hand, and as the auntie of a young man and two teenagers and the partner of a male leader who died having faced mental health challenges and the pressure to perform, this work for us, is deeply personal. We have skin in the game.

We’ve co-created a collaborative programme combining my tried and tested transformational coaching model and executive coaching experience with long time associate and friend Daniel Stane’s wealth of experience working with mid and senior level male leaders.

More data-based evidence.

• 2024 Global Human Capital Trends: Deloitte Insights

• The Masculinity in the Workplace Study 2023 Token Man, The Hobbs Consultancy

• The State of UK Boys Report: Global Boyhood Initiative

• Engaging Men in Inclusion and Diversity: Token Man, Potentia, We Are The City

• Status, Fear and Solitude, Men and Gender Equality at the Top: Deloitte Insights

• The Leadership Report: Fortune

• The CEO moment: Leadership for a new era: McKinsey & Company

• Responding to Uncertainty in 2020: PwC CEO Survey

• Mental Health Issues Can Break Lives: Lloyds Banking Group

• The Global Mental Health Crisis Requires a Worldwide Investment: 2020 TIME Davos Panel

Important Note:

This group programme is not designed for men currently experiencing severe mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts.

Please reach out to Campaign Against Men Living Miserably (CALM). WhatsApp or LiveChat between 5pm and midnight every day or call their suicide prevention helpline on 0800 58 58 58 for support.

Call the Samaritans on 116 123.

If you don’t feel safe to wait, please call emergency services on 999 or 111 and ask for the crisis team.