Supporting Women, Shifting Conversations – One Workplace at a Time

Supporting Women, Shifting Conversations – One Workplace at a Time

By Guy Ellis, author of Conversations for Men: Leadership, Menopause and the Case for Workplace Change

Let me start with a personal confession. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d write a book about menopause, I’d have laughed and quietly changed the subject.

But then life did what life does, it changed the subject for me.

I watched two women I care deeply about, my partner and my sister, struggle through menopause. Both successful in their careers, both articulate and resilient, and both suddenly grappling with symptoms that knocked them sideways: exhaustion, brain fog, hot flushes, anxiety, disrupted sleep… you name it. What surprised me even more was the lack of support from the organisations they worked for. Not cruelty, just silence. An unspoken assumption that they’d quietly carry on, even if they were running on fumes.

That silence lit a fire in me.

As someone who’s worked in HR, leadership and organisational change for years, I started to ask questions. Why isn’t this on more workplace agendas? Why are so many women managing serious symptoms alone? And why are men, managers, colleagues, partners, so uncomfortable even saying the word “menopause”?

So, I wrote a book.

Not because I think I know everything. But because I’ve seen what happens when we avoid the topic, and what can shift when we start talking about it openly, respectfully, and with a bit of curiosity.

The book’s called Conversations for Men: Leadership, Menopause and the Case for Workplace Change. It’s a practical, honest guide for men in the workplace, particularly those in leadership roles, who want to do better but don’t know where to start.

It offers:

· Simple ways to open up conversations at work (without feeling like an imposter)

· Insights into what menopause actually is, and how it affects people differently

· Examples of organisations doing it well, and why it’s good for business, not just the right thing to do

· Suggestions for women too, including how to bring men into the conversation and make the case for change

So far, the response has been fantastic. What I didn’t expect was how many people, men and women, have told me, “This is exactly what we’ve needed.”

But here’s where you come in.

I’d love your help spreading the word. If you work for (or know of) an organisation that’s thinking about menopause awareness, or maybe has a few internal champions but isn’t sure what to do next, would you point them in my direction?

I run awareness workshops, leadership sessions, and help organisations develop realistic, meaningful menopause support strategies, ones that suit their people, budget and culture. No gimmicks. Just practical tools and honest conversations.

And if they’re not ready for all that yet? Just hand them a copy of the book. It’s a good start.

You can find Conversations for Men on Amazon, or on my website: 👉 https://www.guyellis.net/how-can-coaching-help/menopause-in-the-workplace/

I’m always up for a coffee or a chat (virtual or in person), and I genuinely want to help organisations get this right, for everyone’s sake.

Thanks for reading, and for being the kind of people who care.

Warmly, Guy

Guy Ellis Leadership Coach | Change Consultant | Author 📧 📞 +44 (0)7799 862693 https://www.guyellis.net/