Men's Group Leadership A Resource Manual For Excellence

This compendium on men's group leadership is the first comprehensive work of its type. The growing global interest in men’s groups with this first-class training material can create effective outcomes for men, their families and society. Experienced men in this work around the world have reviewed and commented on it to make sure of its high standards.

All of the skills contained here are transferable and add value to the rest of life, in relationships and at work. All the time spent in mastering these skills is a great investment in the whole of life

Paddy has brought his diverse skills in counselling psychology, social research and many years working with men in all works of life to creating this manual. His work as a Buddhist Prison chaplain in a maximum-security centre for many years helped to refine his vision.

He is excited to introduce what he calls PHASE 2, men's group work. Phase 1 he says focusses on the important work of emotional support for men and increasing emotional intelligence. Phase 2 adds the concepts of ethics, values and the compelling new concept of the Mature Masculine. The development of these skills and values are essential for men to stand up to the leadership challenges demanded by the changes we are facing. As commentator and Pulitzer prize winner Thomas Friedman said ‘In a time of crisis, like we are in now, with people feeling frightened and uncertain, leadership doesn't just matter more. It matters exponentially more.’

Experienced reviewers had this to say:

Narayan Van De Graaf, Corporate Consultant: ‘This manual fills a very important need. It will be highly beneficial for men stepping into a group leadership role for the first time as well as benefiting more experienced men wishing to hone their skills’

Gordon Roberts Social Worker: ‘I have been waiting for someone to can write about the Ethical and compassionate values for leaders of men's groups. His concept of Mature Masculinity introduces a much-needed discussion of contemporary issues and values for men.

I have used Paddy’s material in this manual to form the basis of training that I am running. Its helped me distil my thoughts and focus my ideas of what I needed to present. It saved me lots of time and provided a clear direction for my training preparation.’

Cathy Baker, School Counsellor: ‘an almanac for all men who care to look beyond their everyday behaviour and grow their understanding of what it takes to support the human experience for the better’.

James Ryan, Wellbeing Educator:  ‘I feel a sense of fear when I think about running my first Men’s Group solo, so I loved reading the Men’s Group Leadership manual. Paddy covered every angle I could imagine, and many, many more I never considered - the Elephant in the Room question and Clearing Circles stand out as examples. I have a much stronger belief in my capability to facilitate a Men’s Group’

Doug Stark Counsellor: ‘The manual, as the author explains, is his contribution to distilling 'the wisdom of the last 50 years of 'men's group work', very much grounded in his own practical experience of being in and facilitating a variety of men's groups over this period. He describes it as, hopefully, a valuable tool in demystifying 'secret men's business'.

Avi Franks - Psychologist, Leadership Consultant and Coach: ‘Paddy has condensed his hard-won experience of working with men into a comprehensive yet pragmatic resource for the development of effective men's group leaders. He knows the territory and shares it from his heart.’

Paul Henley Chair and Director of the Pathways Foundation: ‘I have been working with men and boys for 30 thirty years now. We have had to develop all our guidelines and practices as we grow. So, at last, all of those experiences, scratching’s and realizations have finally landed in Paddy’s manual. I am in awe of his creativity and tenacity in putting this together. It allows us as men to stand on the shoulders of those men who have gone before and take another step in this life-changing work. I highly recommend this manual to all of us out there that realize the importance of the mature man and how that will have a profound positive effect upon our culture as humans.’