Program Schedule: October 3rd – December 12th, 2023
Part One: Masculinities, Power, and the Workplace
Why do many men report feeling disconnected, dissatisfied, and unfulfilled with their work, career, or the overall direction and quality of their lives? How does this affect the workplace?
October 3rd, 1-3:00 ET: Conversations about masculinity today pay less attention to masculinities, plural, but research finds varying conceptions of masculinity among groups and cultures along with differing associations with power. This two-hour module introduces the program, with topics including contemporary views of masculinities along with cross-cultural and historical examples, conversations about power, emotional intelligence, and self-knowing as well as male socialization pressures that may keep some men from recognizing or speaking up about destructive behaviors at work. This session includes a guest discussion by Dr. Riane Eisler, who will describe her research of many cultures through history, the overall success of partnership versus dominator systems, and associated challenges and potentials for business and society today, along with a short panel discussion with Dr. Riane Eisler and Dr. Jed Diamond. A few suggested articles will be available beforehand.
Oct 9th-13th: This week each person will engage in a 1:1 executive coaching conversation to reflect on and apply the materials for personal, leadership, and/or organizational development.
Oct 17th, 12:30-1:30pm, 1:45-2:45pm, 3-4pm, and 4:15-5:15 pm ET: Small group peer discussions on “masculinities in the workplace” materials. Each group is limited to five participants and meets for an hour-long discussion.
Week of Oct 23rd: During this week, participants may read/watch suggested articles or videos on the next month's topic. They may also weigh in on discussion board threads and others' responses in anticipation of the next month's topic.
Part Two: Roots of Destructive & Productive Power Dynamics and the Role of Difference
Oct 31st, 1-3:00 ET: This two-hour module explores the roots of power patterns, self- and relational integrity, and connections to healthy, productive, enjoyable group relationships. This module introduces the tools of life alignment, culture assessments, and culture alignment, offering an investigative process of pressures on integrity and desired outcomes. While the alignment process examines intersectional pressures associated with social stories of different life experience categories, including childrearing, gender, sexuality, race, class, and religion, particular attention is paid here to male gender socialization and the experience of being male in society and at work, including alpha power patterns, marginalization of value within organizations, and associated impacts on turnover, productivity, and profitability.
Nov 6th- 10th: This week each person will engage in a 1:1 executive coaching conversation to reflect on and apply the materials for personal, leadership, and/or organizational development.
Nov 14th: 12:30-1:30pm, 1:45-2:45pm, 3-4pm, and 4:15-5:15 pm ET: Small group peer discussions of this month’s topics. Each group is limited to five participants and meets for an hour-long discussion, facilitated by Drs. Betty Woodman and Theophus Smith.
Week of Nov 20th: During this week, participants may read/watch suggested articles or videos on the next month's topic. They may also weigh in on discussion board threads and others' responses in anticipation of the next month's topic.
Part Three: New Directions, Development, & Transition Tools
Nov 28th, 1-3:00 ET: This two-hour module examines tools for alignment and responses, including ways to identify early signs of destructive or distracting power patterns, strengthen emotional intelligence, respond with integrity to alpha power dynamics, and develop strategic longer-term approaches to strengthen positive interpersonal relations, maximizing productivity.
Dec 4th- 8th: This week each person engages in a 1:1 executive coaching conversation to reflect on and apply the materials for personal, leadership, and/or organizational development.
Dec 12th: 1-3:00 pm: Think-tank dialogue. This session begins with a panel discussion with guest speakers, Dr. Riane Eisler of the Center for Partnership Systems and Dr. Jed Diamond of Men Alive and Moonshot for Mankind. Following this session, groups discuss challenges and opportunities, split into breakout groups to brainstorm personal, employee, leadership, and/or organizational development possibilities, and reconvene as a complete cohort for final dialogue, wrap-up, and next steps.