Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

June 23, 2026

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm.

Men Don't Need More Excuses. We Need Brotherhood.

Howdy ,

A female colleague recently tried to get me more interested in Men's Health Month.

She said: "Men don't usually express themselves because they can't talk."

I understood what she meant.

But I disagreed.

Men don't usually express themselves because they can't talk.

Many times, we don't express ourselves because we have chosen not to.

Yes, there are real reasons.

Upbringing. Culture. Pride. Fear of looking weak. No obvious safe space. No close circle of men who can handle the truth.

But at some point, explanations can become excuses.

And when excuses die, continuing the same pattern becomes self-sabotage.

My colleague then said: "Men don't usually have the community around them to express themselves candidly."

Again, my response was: "Because many of us chose that."

Not always consciously. But we chose it through neglect.

We chose it by not calling. By not showing up. By keeping everything at surface level. By turning every male friendship into banter, football, politics, and silence.

But it can be different.

In late 2020, I moved from Spain to Senegal at the start of the fourth quarter.

COVID restrictions were still in force. Social distancing. Limits on gatherings. My family remained in Spain during that period.

After a few weeks of navigating a new language, a new city, and the loneliness of not having people around me who shared my life stage, I decided to do something about it.

I identified six men. Men I respected. Men at similar stages of life and career. Men I believed would be genuinely invested if asked.

Then I sent a simple WhatsApp message:

"Good morning. Hi [name],

I trust you are keeping safe. I wanted to ask you a question.

Are you open to being part of a mastermind group?

I want to start a mastermind with Christian men in professional life. The focus is growing our spiritual, personal development, marital, parental, and work life.

I am hoping we can meet once a month at a time we all agree. We will not be more than seven and not less than four.

My initial thought is that we only sign up to a six-month commitment. At the end of the six months, we decide if we want to renew for another six months.

Let me know if this is something you might be interested in." 

Out of six, five said yes.

Almost six years later, we are still together. Everyone kept renewing.

We have visited each other. Celebrated family milestones together. Worked through professional and personal transitions together. Shared struggles, family challenges, and difficult seasons.

We do not all live in the same city. But when we are in the same place, we make the effort.

We have even gone to the cinema together. A group of grown men showing up to watch a film because we have earned that kind of friendship.

This weekend, we are all going to eat at an Amala joint because we will be in the same city.

That is what deliberate brotherhood looks like.

Not perfect. Not dramatic. Not performative.

Just men choosing not to live alone.

So yes, men need safe spaces. But sometimes the safe space does not appear. Sometimes one man has to build it.

Pick up the phone. Send the message. Invite the men. Create the rhythm. Keep renewing.

Men's mental health will not improve only because the world tells men to talk.

It will improve when more men choose the kind of community where truth has somewhere to land.

Live in community.

Live with your band of brothers.

Send this to one man you should probably call this week.

Keep winning at work and in life

Tola Akinsulire
Your Strategic Workplace Mentor