The Masculinity Manifesto

Leaders don’t trip over themselves. Leaders don’t get in the way and, consequently, trip others up. Leaders coach, mentor, and nurture. But above all, leaders inspire others to lead.

Forgetting that you’re here to serve others is the quickest way to undermine what you’re working so tirelessly to develop. It may seem like you’ll need to place your own needs above others’ in order to lead effectively. While it’s true that you do need to take care yourself, never make the mistake of thinking that your subordinates exist to serve y

Looking back, the people I hold in the highest regard are the ones who did everything they could—not to beat me, but to empower me on my own path of growth and progress. Leadership is selfless, not selfish. When you learn to empower others, your needs will be served—not because you’re consumed with what you’ll get, but because you’re focused on wha

Instead of measuring your level of leadership by the sophistication of your title, measure it by the human capital you have with others. That’s what really matters.

I actually wanted to address the way that we, as men, can harness the power of masculinity for productive outcomes for ourselves and those we care about.

Some of the angriest people I know are often the weakest and most incapable, and conversely, some of the deadliest men I know are the kindest and calmest. That is the softer side of violence. Embracing it is a tempering mechanism for the nature of men. Our propensity to be physical never goes away. It simply lies dormant while we uselessly attempt

You take all the information at hand and you decide what you’re going to do. Men who have learned to garner influence, credibility, and authority with others have learned to become decisive. Don’t get trapped in paralysis by analysis. Have faith that you’re capable of obtaining the information you need, evaluating it, and making good choices for yo

Is power something to be shunned? I would argue that it’s not. What good can you possibly do without the money, influence, notoriety, tools, and resources that are derived from power? What good does it do to those you care about to play small because you’re afraid to be powerful?

I often wonder why we’ll fight so hard on the basketball court with our buddies but refuse to bring the same level of intensity to our personal and professional goals. Consider how many people (your friends, family, clients, neighbors, etc.) would be served if you were more willing to exert the same level of fire toward your goals off the court or