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Male Leadership Accelerator

taking men from disconnection to connection.

Because leadership isn't just about what you achieve - it’s about the legacy you leave behind. We’re here to help male leaders build a legacy rooted in deep connection, integrity, and real impact.

“Too many people are afraid to show real vulnerability, to let their guard down and be honest about their fears or struggles. But connection and trust are built when leaders show that they’re human too. It’s not a weakness to care, to be open, and to acknowledge what we don’t know - it’s a strength that inspires others to grow.”
— Sir Richard Branson

Opening up the networks of support for men

In 2025, adaptability, collaboration, and authentic leadership have been named as key skills for leadership success with a growing need for leaders to become inclusive visionaries.

Learning agility and curiosity are the top priorities for the 2025 World's Most Admired Companies (WMAC) when hiring for leadership roles - with leaders who commit to ongoing personal and professional development seen as setting a positive example for their teams.

Yet with nearly half of senior executives and CEOs admitting to imposter syndrome or quietly questioning their behaviour, how well are male leaders really doing behind the performance?

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

Many speak of the relentless pressure to be seen as “successful” - while inwardly doubting their ability to meet expectations. Beneath the surface, anxiety simmers, fuelled by a constant fear of failure. They put on a ‘brave face’ while feeling wretched inside. Suppressed emotions often show up as moodiness or unpredictable behaviour, quietly impacting team dynamics, draining productivity, and leaving little space for meaningful, healthy relationships - both at work and at home.

They hold regret for not knowing "how" to support friends struggling with mental health challenges, sometimes with tragic outcomes like suicide. Or how to show up for their teams, partners or children who want them to open up “more”.

This disconnection and inability to name their emotions (it might be guilt, shame, envy, jealousy, resentment, bitterness, disappointment, anguish, hopelessness or despair) 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, which holds them back from fully engaging in positive initiatives of inclusion and equality, that many organisations are actively working towards.

Because holding their own pain feels “enough”.

What the research tells us - it’s not men’s fault

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. They enhance their ability to support others more “organically”, often fostering 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 shut down, and dismiss or deny their feelings, creating barriers to their well-being, effective leadership and relational growth.

That’s why our 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, overwhelm, 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 insecure.

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

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

What the programme includes :

An intimate 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 and leadership development.

** Join our 5 week programme starting Wednesday 25 June until Wednesday 23 July at 10.30am - 12pm BST **

  • 1 x discovery call (15-minutes ) to see if this programme is the right fit. No cost. No obligation.

  • 1 x one-to-one orientation call (45-minutes)with Lisa or Daniel to set personal intentions and objectives.

  • 5 × 90 minute transformational group coaching sessions (7.5 hours) ** delivered over five sessions with Lisa and Daniel, designed to accelerate growth and learning.

  • 1 x follow-up one-to-one coaching session (75-minutes)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 so 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.

“There is no shame in recognizing that we need support, and there is no shame in admitting that we are not perfect. By connecting to ourselves, by being open about our struggles, we give others permission to do the same—and that’s when real leadership begins.”
— Prince William

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

Join us in June 2025 for a new 5-week focused version.

Let’s discuss you or your organisations needs.

“Boys need ‘role models’. Too many young men are isolated. Too many feel uncomfortable opening up to friends or family. Many don’t have mentors - who understand how best to push them to grow. ”
— Sir Gareth Southgate

Who is leading this programme - and WHY?

This Male Leadership Accelerator is a collaboration between Leadership Redesigned and Inclusion Partners, led by two practitioners who deeply understand the human, organisational and societal cost when leadership systems don’t evolve. Between us, we bring decades of experience in transformational coaching, leadership development, and effective systemic change.

But our work isn’t just professional - it’s deeply personal.

“As auntie to a young man, previous partner to a male leader whose unhealed wounds had profound consequences, confidant to many men navigating dating after divorce, and coach/facilitator holding space for critical conversations with male leaders, I see the patterns and evidence. We urgently need new models of leadership - and new ways of being for men - that dismantle the outdated roles of provider, protector and suffering in silence and instead make space for emotional honesty, shared responsibility, and deeper human connection and support. ”
— Lisa Barnwell, Founder: Leadership Redesigned
“As a husband, father to a son and daughter, and leadership coach who has seen and experienced firsthand the strain outdated leadership norms place on men, I am committed to building a healthier, more compassionate and courageous leadership culture that better serves this generation and the next.”
— Daniel Stane, Founder: Inclusion Partners

Together, we are addressing:

🔹 Men’s Mental Health Crisis – Leadership pressures, emotional suppression, and rising rates of depression and suicide among men, especially those navigating divorce, relationship breakdowns and life thereafter.

🔹 Toxic Narratives Targeting Young Men – The urgent need for male leaders to model depth, integrity, emotional expression, and true strength, countering the rise of manipulative influencers.

🔹 The Confidence Gap in Allyship – Although 86% of men want to tackle sexism and inequality, only 31% feel confident doing so. Emotional intelligence training changes that.

🔹 The Organisational ‘Brain Drain’ – Outdated gender expectations exhausting men, driving women out of senior roles, stifling innovation, and costing businesses billions in lost productivity and potential.

This programme is about real leadership evolution—personal and collective.

“Literally life changing. Lisa gave me tools and helped me find ways to deal with some major issues, which in turn has improved my personal and professional life.”
— M.B Senior Leader in the Property Industry
“Daniel is brilliant at listening from the heart to others’ needs and then identifying actions and strategies to move forwards. ”
“This was absolutely paramount for someone like me who works in such a complex, stressful and high pace environment. Space for reflections, guidance and feedback should be an essential part of our job. It helps me to gain perspective, get new tools to help me solve problems, and to create a culture that thrives. ”
— Male Leader Coachee

More data-based evidence.

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.