NGM Thoughts 11: Listen Here

The other day it struck me as I was talking to a woman who had recently retired from 29 years in a male-dominated industry—what is the one thing that I would ask men to do to advance gender equity?

Listen.

Now I don’t pretend to think that there are any silver bullets, but if there was a single thing that I believe would move the needle, this is it. Why? Well, if you just shut up and listen to stories of women’s lived experiences, you’d have no choice but to believe them over time.

This is the beauty of the #MeToo movement. The sheer propensity of posts and disclosures made folks believe.

This applies to other issues from racism, ableism, homophobia, etc., but as good a place to start as any is with our mothers, partners, daughters, and female friends.

Now, what did I just say?

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Written by Next Gen Men Co-Founder Jake Stika as part of a personal challenge to share some of our reflections around what it means to be a better man in today’s day and age. Join us every Friday for NGM Thoughts.