COURAGE AND SPARK: DISCOVERING NEW MEANINGS AND EXPRESSIONS OF LEADERSHIP BY MEN

Men are faced with major new challenges in both their work environments and their personal lives. As such, more and more men are looking for places to explore the prominent issues in their lives. This article speaks to the experience of four Men's Groups and examines how the groups operated and what came out of them. It reflects on the process of personal change for these men and its implications for leadership development. Certain key ingredients for creating a change environment are identified: support, good listening, challenge, taking risks and making close, genuine connections with each other. It suggests that men can and do change, particularly if they make a strong commitment to their own development and learning. The importance of personal counselling and therapy work to this change process is outlined in some detail.