In this episode we talk to Matthew Barnes-Smith, a ‘Construction Leaver’.
Matthew graduated university in 2009 with a Construction Project Management Degree and on paper was the ideal candidate for our industry.
He joined for the problem solving, challenges, creativity, innovation, working in teams, amazing travel opportunities that come within the industry
What he didn’t sign up for was the macho and oppressive environment he found himself in.
After a few years, he burnt out physically and mentally and needed to get out, so he left.
Matthew shares his story on what led him to leave, how coaching helped him to confront his feelings and how that led him to coaching and mentoring young men around gender stereotyping and the masks of masculinity.
We talk about how fear is driving a lot of the negative behaviours we are seeing in our industry and how that is linking to the challenges we have around mental health and the high rates of suicide.
The key takeaway was that it’s not about health and safety, it’s the safety to be yourself, safety that your mental health is safe, that you feel secure and your needs are being met.
Links
https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/topics/fairness-inclusion-respect/fir-toolkit/
https://www.goodladinitiative.com
