Men at Work

Work isn’t working—for women or for men. Despite decades of progress, women are still facing persistent gaps in pay, representation, and opportunity. But here’s what’s often overlooked: men are struggling, too. Pressured to conform to outdated stereotypes—stoic, aggressive, competitive—many men feel boxed in, disconnected, and unable to show up as their full selves. In Men at Work, Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO of Catalyst, reveals a bold truth that the key to building inclusive, high-performing workplaces isn’t only about helping women—it’s about unlocking the full potential of men as well. Through powerful personal stories and Catalyst’s groundbreaking research, McCollum shows how inviting men into the inclusion conversation as gender partners—not just sponsors or allies—creates workplaces where everyone thrives. Drawing on interviews with men and women at leading companies around the globe, she proves that when men and women operate as mutually accountable partners, fairness expands, innovation flourishes, and belonging becomes the norm, not the exception. This book is a wake-up call and a roadmap for leaders ready to move beyond performative inclusion and toward real, lasting change. Because when we free men from the “man box,” we help men lead with authenticity, connection, and purpose—and we also help women rise. Men at Work is for anyone who believes that inclusion should feel like a win, not a sacrifice.