As a man in a leadership role, I’ve felt the weight of expectations—always needing to be strong, structured, and resilient. The pressure to “keep it together” for the team, no matter what, is intense, and has been strongly pushed on me through my upbringing as well. But mental health doesn’t care about job titles or societal expectations, and I’ve come to realise that the more I try to push through, the heavier the burden becomes.
For me, the signs creep in gradually. Waking up on Monday and already feeling like it’s Thursday, or finding that even the simplest tasks feel like they drain more energy than I have, and everything feels the same - grey and without interest. In those moments, it’s easy to tell myself, “This is just part of the job,” or to brush it off as stress. But deep down, I know these are signs that something’s off.
Society often expects men to handle depression in silence, as if admitting we’re struggling somehow undermines our ability to lead. We’re conditioned to stay composed, to prioritise work over well-being, and to show as little vulnerability as possible. But these pressures don’t make us stronger; they isolate us and reinforce a stigma that shouldn’t exist.
The Cultural Weight of Masculinity in Leadership
There’s an added layer for men in leadership. We carry this idea that we need to be the rock for our teams, that showing weakness would somehow let others down. I’ve felt this myself—fighting to maintain an image of strength even when I know it’s costing me. It’s exhausting. The truth is, leaders are human too, and acknowledging our challenges doesn’t make us less capable. In fact, it can make us more approachable, building trust and connection with those around us.
Thankfully, the culture is slowly shifting. More companies are starting to see the importance of mental health, but there’s still a long way to go, especially when it comes to men’s mental health. Recognising that struggling doesn’t mean failing is a huge step. It’s about understanding that it’s okay to lead and still need support.
Looking Ahead
In part two, I’ll explore some of the strategies I’ve found helpful in integrating mental health awareness into leadership. From setting boundaries to being open with my team, there are ways to balance strength with vulnerability. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real—for ourselves and for those we lead.