b'speaker spotlighttreatment centres, schools. And fromthat mask and putting our heads downthat vulnerability breeds vulnerability. the get-go, the moment that I was ableand going to work. My goal is to helpIts [about] understanding that when to share some of my pain, I felt better.people remove that proverbial mask,a body comes into the workplace, But more importantly, other peoplegive themselves permission to gotheres all these emotions tied to it, started to connect with my story, andwithin, connect to themselves andand I think that, sadly, most people they started to say those two powerfulultimately connect to others. listen to respond. They dont listen to words: me too. And as soon as thatlisten. I think that theres still this hang-started to happen, that connectionCM&E:up that we have to be counsellors in was where I knew that there had to beWhat has been yourorder to help people. And I just think a way to do this a lot more. favourite or most memorablethat in our workplaces, or even in our speaking engagement so far? communities, if we can just simplify CM&E:ALLAN:things, slow down and listen for the Which keynote I walk in this space withsake of listening, it will allow peopletopics are your favourite or a lot of gratitude and humility becauseto be free from whatevers goingmost requested?were dealing with peoples lives, right?on inside.And there have been a lot of events ALLAN:lately where really the feedback [has Mens mental health, hands down. Over the last threebeen], You saved my life. Its hard forCM&E: Over the past few years, years, ever since I wrote that book onme to articulate that.have you seen an improvement in men and mental health and did theI took a screenshot of a message thathow we address or discuss mental TEDx talk, that has become a definiteI got [from an event planner]. This washealth issues? Are there areas that passion of mine. I would say [its]at a mining event. She said she got thisyou think we can improve on?probably the most in-demand [topic] within mining, construction.anyfrom one of the guys who attended. HeALLAN: wrote, My group had the most honestFor me, 100 per cent industry dominated by men. and open conversation that wevewe are [moving in the right direction]. Suicide prevention is another oneever had over dinner. We all sharedI look back and initially, even five years that Im passionate about becauseexperiences that we would haveago, when I would do keynotes, whod Ive been there. I lost my best friendnever talked about before. And it wasalways approach me? Its the women, to suicide. Theres a relatability andrefreshing knowing that there wasnt aright? And the men are kind of off in an authenticity and Im very, verysingle person at the table who hadntthe background and theyre lurking. If passionate about that. Im still thegone through something, or thatone approached me, more often than guy whos often called to go to highwasnt dealing with something alone.not, they would start to talk and maybe schools after a student has diedAnd I mean, it goes on, but I thought,a single tear would roll down and they by suicide, or to the workplace. Isee, thats just it. Because vulnerabilitywould say something like, Im sorry, I have talking circles with leadersbreeds vulnerability, and I think thatjust cant right now. And then theyre on how they feel, and thats whatwhen we let our walls down, it givesgone. Lately, its been so cool to see Im passionate about as well. Justother people permission to let theirhow many men have embraced [the topics around emotional wellness,walls down. idea] that vulnerability equals strength, regulation, grief, trauma, healing.itsand how many more men are showing up. More importantly, I think that as all kind of this big pot. CM&E:adults, regardless of any gender, its What are some things that workers or employers can dothis understanding that if we do not CM&E:to create a safer workplaceonemodel some vulnerability, if we dont What do you hope event delegates take away fromthat prioritizes mental well-being asreach out for help or maybe shed a your keynotes? much as physical well-being? tear, why would the next generation? The next generation is always watching. ALLAN:ALLAN:Or if you get a new employee in the I know what it feelsSo I actually branded like to have lost my voice, and I knowthe trademark be seen, heard andcompany, theyre always watching. And what it feels like to have found it. Thesupported, because for me, those areso sometimes I think where we lack is one thing I hope that people can walkthe three [biggest things]. Nobodywere having these conversations, but away with is an understanding of howwants to be fixed. Ideally, I want tothe actions arent quite there. Were powerful their voice is. When we dontcreate that place where people feelstarting to get the buy-in. But to rewrite use our voice, we get sick. And I havecomfortable enough to remove thata lot of those scripts or to change learned that when we find our voice,proverbial mask and just authenticallyculture in some companies.that we will find our power. I think that weshare what theyre going through.doesnt happen overnight, and I think do a really good job of wearing thatNot with the intention of being fixed,its gradual, but the needle is moving proverbial mask, of hiding behindbut its kind of what I said before,the right way.38 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'