Men oh! Pause

Men oh! Pause – Stopping and thinking

In Leadership, there is a need to take regular moments to stop and think. Understanding what is affecting your people gives you the power to figure out what can be done to make the world of work a better place to be.

World menopause day on the 18th of October is a day designed to promote some stopping and thinking. To look at a previously taboo subject that is often swept under the carpet, and where the main coping mechanism is often dismissive humour from all parties.

The attraction, retention and development of talented people has, quite rightly, a very high priority in almost every business plan. All businesses need people with skills, knowledge, experience, ambition and most importantly energy. The leadership challenge is to create working environments where talented people want to stay, perform, and give all they have.

Loss of talent

In 2019 it was reported 370,000 women between the ages of 50 and 64 left or were considering leaving the UK workplace because they were struggling to deal with the symptoms of the menopause. So, we seriously need to do this stopping and thinking thing. We need diversity of thought in the workplace because we need different perspectives to make rationale and competent decisions. Therefore, we need to work out how to shape working environments to develop and support the needs of a diverse work population.

I have observed my wife, friend, and business partner cope with the challenges of menopause while managing and leading people herself. (Yes, it’s a bloke writing this article about a “woman’s” subject). I wish I had known what I know now at many points in the past as a business leader. I could have been so much more helpful to woman in my work teams that were, as it turns out, coping with the challenges of menopause. What’s required, we have learnt over time, is flexibility and understanding. We are very thankful that we had the skills gained from our work in the leadership and personal development world to rescue us when required. However, the first step is simple: stop, listen and think. Then make the right plan to support the individual because the answer might be really simple.

In our series of interviews and discussions on the subject Berrison explores the simple actions and changes in thinking needed to accommodate menopause in the workplace. Changes that will help to retain the experience and talent that supports business and economic growth.

By Colin Dulson – Managing Director at Berrison Ltd