Happy International Men’s Day! Every November 19th is the chance to celebrate the positive value men bring to the world. As a woman, wife, mother of a son, and friend of many awesome men, International Men’s Day is highly significant to me. It’s about supporting the men, or men-to-be, in my life to reach their potential in every setting.
This post will examine how inclusive leadership, mental health, and work-life balance are essential for men’s well-being and impact every area of their lives. Getting this combo right means that a positive effect ripples out, enhancing the lives of families, workplaces, and communities.
Table of Contents:
How Men Can Lead and Benefit from Inclusive Leadership
Let’s start with inclusive leadership, an essential tool for understanding the whole spectrum of experiences.
What Is Inclusive Leadership and Why It Matters
Inclusive leadership seeks out diverse perspectives and supports an environment where everyone feels valued. Inclusive leadership for Black men is a vital tool to foster equitable workplaces and cultural intelligence for their own benefit and that of the wider community. Both as inclusive leaders themselves, being able to deeply understand the variety of perspectives and experiences in the room, and on the receiving end as team members, experiencing the difference in workplace culture with a boss who exemplifies inclusive leadership.
Research shows that inclusive leadership empowers people to work innovatively, benefiting everyone at work. However, the unique challenges for Black leaders, which include conforming to stereotypes, can make practicing inclusive leadership difficult. Understanding and supporting Black men and multicultural leaders in these spaces is essential to increase diverse perspectives that lead to more harmonious and productive workplaces.
Steps to Practice Inclusive Leadership
Here are a few ways you can practice inclusive leadership:
1. Expose yourself to diverse cultural groups. As a first step, be proactive in engaging with people from different backgrounds.
2. Build deep connections. Cultivate a genuine interest in diverse perspectives. Engage in meaningful discussions with colleagues from different communities.
3. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Advocate for diverse hiring practices, mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, and inclusive workplace policies.
This article in the Harvard Business Review sets out some key examples of conscious leadership practices, including showing an authentic commitment to diversity and listening without judgement. These are skills that need to be practiced in order to become second nature, especially considering that how a leader behaves makes up to a 70% difference in whether people feel included and valued.
Mental Health
Men’s mental health is one of the key themes of International Men’s Day. Let’s find out why.
Why Mental Health Is a Priority, Especially for Black Men
Men face unique mental health challenges. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of suicide for men is almost four times higher than for women. Traditionally, society has expected men to be strong by not expressing their emotions. Additionally, Black men may face additional pressures relating to stigma and discrimination.
This makes mental health support for Black men in the workplace vital. It starts at the top, with inclusive leaders recognizing the essential role of mental health support in the workplace to enhance the well-being of all.
Mental Health in the Workplace: Creating a Supportive Environment
There are many strategies workplaces can use to support men and their mental health:
Mental health days: Adopt a policy of encouraging employees to take time off for mental health issues.
Open conversations: Nurture a workplace where men can share their thoughts and feelings without repercussions.
Physical activity: Set up a program of workplace activities to include team sports and individual fitness.
Men can take ownership of their overall well-being by:
Establishing an exercise regime they actually enjoy
Carving regular time out with their family and friends
Practicing a hobby they love that enhances their vitality
Enjoying outdoor activities and connecting with nature
For more inspiration, check out the Movember website, which offers real stories and practical guidance around men’s mental health.
Work-Life Balance, is there such a thing?
Finding a work-life balance positively affects men’s daily lives. Here’s how.
Why Work-Life Balance Matters for Men
Work-life balance brings harmony to many areas of a man’s life. Research tells us that a good work-life balance enhances physical and mental health, as well as personal relationships. We're not talking about utopian ideas of never working late or leaving at 5pm on the dot with a bunch of deadlines hanging. No, we're simply talking about putting a system in place where you don't suffer physically and emotionally by overworking.
However, many men face challenges in maintaining work-life balance. They may feel pressured to provide for their families or work extra hard when employment is precarious. When the balance goes too far in favour of work, men can experience conflict within their families and poor psychological and physical health. Instead, men should prioritize a fulfilling life, and partake in activities that fill them up and make work more creative and easy to do.
How to Improve Work-Life Balance: Tips for Success
Discover some work-life balance tips for men that can help maintain harmony:
1. Set clear boundaries. Define specific times and places for your work and personal lives. Switch your work phone off when you get home.
2. Manage your workload. Use an organizational tool to manage and prioritize your workload. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re struggling.
3. Prioritize self-care. Practice regular exercise, hobbies, and relaxation activities to recharge your energy.
Employers can also promote a balanced work culture for men and all employees by:
Promoting flexible working hours
Offering remote work options
Adopting family-friendly policies
Let's love up our men on International Men’s Day
International Men’s Day is the perfect opportunity to bring men’s mental and physical well-being into the open. It’s also about understanding how inclusive leadership is the conduit to a healthy, thriving workplace that benefits everyone.
Reach out to that special guy in your life right now, and find out what you can do to help him take better care of himself. Maybe it's a night out together, organizing a boy's night to a game, a father-son day playing around, or that dreaded doctor's visit he's been avoiding. Whatever it is, have that conversation about men’s well-being this International Men’s Day and make sure your team leader is including men's health issues in their team culture building. Reach out if you'd like to discuss better strategies or effective programs for developing the inclusive culture you've always wanted.
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