Celebrating Men & Boys: Why International Men's

November 19 marks International Men’s Day, a day to recognise the positive impact men have on their families, workplaces and society. This year’s theme, Celebrating Men & Boys, resonates deeply with me. Not just as a leader, but as a proud father of two boys.

As parents, mentors, and colleagues, we have a responsibility to teach the next generation values that matter: empathy, respect, and integrity. When both men and women lead by example and work together, we create fair and supportive environments where everyone can thrive.

Why Awareness Is Important

International Men’s Day isn’t just about celebration; it’s also about raising awareness of challenges men face that often go unnoticed. According to the International Men’s Day official site:

· Men have a suicide rate three times higher than women.

· Nearly half of men with mental health problems do not receive treatment.

· For youth aged 10–24, suicide is the second leading cause of death in many countries.

· Men are nearly twice as likely to suffer from lung cancer and heart disease.

Addressing these issues is essential for healthier societies and workplaces.

Mental Health: Breaking the Silence

Many men struggle in silence due to stigma, fear of judgment, or the belief that vulnerability equals weakness. This reluctance to speak up can lead to isolation and, in severe cases, tragic outcomes.

Workplaces have a unique opportunity to change this narrative by creating environments where men feel safe to say, “I’m not okay”. That means offering support without judgement and recognizing the signs when someone might need help.

The Role of Positive Role Models

One of the most powerful ways to make a difference is by being a role model. As a father of two young boys, I often think about the world they will grow up in.

High-speed internet, social media, and smartphones have completely transformed childhood - shrinking attention spans and contributing to rising anxiety and depression among teenagers. Social media often promotes the wrong kind of role models, which makes it even more important for fathers and leaders to lead by example.

At home, I do my best to look after myself, stay active and healthy, and carve out quality family time. I teach my boys that making mistakes is part of growing up and that a growth mindset matters more than perfection. I want them to understand that being a role model isn’t about always winning - it’s about continuous learning, approaching change with curiosity, and showing empathy, fairness, and a willingness to lift others up.

One book I highly recommend is The Resilience Project, which focuses on GEM: gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. Every night at dinner (when I remember), I ask my boys, “Who has helped you today?” and “Who have you helped?” followed by “How did that make you feel?”. I’m a big believer that practicing gratitude and acts of kindness can help us feel better about ourselves, become better leaders, and have a lasting positive impact on mental health.

Creating a Culture of Support

Here are some ways organisations can make a difference beyond policies:

1. Normalise Mental Health Check-ins: Start meetings with “How are you really doing?”

2. Train Leaders in Empathetic Leadership: Go beyond performance management to recognize stress and respond with empathy.

3. Peer Support Networks: Create informal groups or buddy systems for open sharing.

4. Celebrate Vulnerability: When leaders share challenges, it signals strength, not weakness.

5. Anonymous Feedback Channels: Offer confidential ways to seek help or share concerns.

Building Better Futures, Together

At Ambition, our purpose of Building Better Futures is about creating opportunities where everyone can thrive. We believe that when men and women work together to foster fairness, inclusion, and respect, we build stronger businesses and healthier workplaces.

I strive to lead with humility and authenticity, creating a fun and trusting work environment where people feel safe to be themselves. I also always encourage our teams to push beyond their comfort zones and embrace lifelong learning.

Through initiatives like our Allyship, Belonging, and Inclusivity (ABI) committee, we’re able to keep these conversations alive and create meaningful actions throughout the year.

What We Can Do Today

This International Men’s Day, I encourage everyone of us to:

· Check in on the men in your life as mental health matters.

· Mentor a boy or young man and help instill values that will shape a better future.

· Thank a positive male role model who has made a difference.

For me, it has to be my dad. He taught me the importance of always being there for your kids, the value of a strong work ethic, and that you get much further with people through kindness and empathy than through pressure or fear. He also showed me the importance of focusing on personal growth and improvement rather than just winning. Most of all, he taught me to prioritize doing what you love and to strive to become better every day.

Small actions like these make a big difference in breaking stigma and shaping a culture of respect. That’s a future worth building, together.

#InternationalMensDay #Leadership #Inclusion #MentalHealth #RoleModels #Ambition #BuildingBetterFutures

Author Chris Aukland is Group Managing Director at Ambition, an international recruitment firm with offices across Australia, Asia, the UK, and the US. With over two decades of experience, Chris is passionate about helping organisations grow by securing the right talent and supporting professionals in achieving their career goals. A strong advocate for lifelong learning and innovation, he’s committed to leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance recruitment solutions and build better futures for clients, candidates, and teams alike.

Edited by Nadiah Affendi, Senior Marketing Manager, Ambition.