Men-in-the-Middle: Conversations to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity’s Silent Majority

by Kori Reed

Nicholas said a conversation about gender equity without men did not meet the criteria for inclusion. Blake said equity is essential and will happen when we acknowledge that men face challenges too.

In Men-in-the-Middle, author Kori Reed interviews men across corporate America about gender equity in the workplace. This is a topic men can influence, as they hold nearly 75 percent of C-suite positions, but they don't talk about it at the office. As it turns out, men have a lot to say! They are aware of the issues and the impacts and, at the same time, unsure of what to do. This uncertainty renders Men-in-the-Middle, even though they may be supporters, on the silent sidelines of gender equity.

Combining interviews with insights from secondary research, Reed seeks to provide a framework to understand this "silent majority" and shine the light on new perspectives and topics that often go undiscussed.

Conversations to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity's Silent Majority invites men and women to cultivate conversations by providing an orientation on perspective-taking and laying a foundation to move gender equity forward in a new inclusive way.
 
Awards and Accolades
- Kirkus "Recommended" Review
- 2023 NYC Big Book Distinguished Author Award
- 2023 Finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards
- 2023 Booklife Prize Nonfiction Finalist

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2023

About the author

With an undergrad in journalism, a master’s in communication, and extensive corporate experience, Kori Reed has spent years inspiring conversations that fuel connection and ignite change. She delights in pursuing the unspoken undercurrents of a topic to get to the root cause and address the crux of the matter.

For more than two decades, she worked for large, complex Fortune 500 companies, including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Quaker Oats, PepsiCo, and Conagra Brands. These experiences instilled the value of authentic dialog and finding clarity amid conflict and chaos. As a working professional, wife, and mom of four—two women and two men—she is fervent about gender equity and creating a world where a rising tide lifts all boats for the world’s daughters and sons.

She writes about unconventional views on gender-role stereotypes, turning curiosity into conversations that change the narrative. Her first book, ZagZig Parenting: (Mis)Adventures of a Career Driven Mom and a Stay-At-Home Dad, is an anthology, a collection of stories that share a different perspective on parenting and work-life balance. Her latest book, Men-in-the-Middle: Conversations to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity’s Silent Majority, is a nonfiction book based on interviews with men about gender equity, backed by secondary research. With each book, her goal is to create a conversation that leads to a better way for all.

Reviews

[Forever Booked With A.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

''Men-in-the-Middle: Conversations to Gain Momentum with Gender Equity's Silent Majority'' is a very bold, thought-provoking, and insightful book written by the author- Kori Reed. She broaches a topic that most people in the corporate world might otherwise shy away from--gender equity (and inequality) in the workplace. This book offers ways to create real gender-related justice in our modern day work environments, and it does this by promoting a much needed dialogue in an open atmosphere, free from passing judgment and blame shifting. The central theme of the book is how working men view, and address, the growing concern of gender equity in the workspace, especially in light of our current post #MeToo era. Through her conversations with working males, it is revealed that misunderstandings and miscommunications surrounding specific work-related experiences of their females coworkers (for example pregnancy), can further perpetuate gender disparities in the workplace.

One solution is that men play an active role in trying to understand, or at least foster discussions, on the issues/challenges that their female coworkers may encounter in the workplace, as a means of bridging these gaps. All in all, men who are concerned about gender equality, may even wonder, "How can I treat the women I work with better as colleagues?". The good news is, this book can serve as a comprehensive guide that offers actionable insights regarding this concern. This book will assist you, if you wish to contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace..Overall, Reed provides a 5-star book, packed with invaluable guidance on the role and contribution of men in addressing contemporary gender equality issues in our workforce today. In conclusion, the book has a compelling writing style that uses the experiences of the participants to bolster a thoroughly researched and provocative topic. I strongly recommend this book to anybody looking to further increase their knowledge and awareness on the topic.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 2 out of 5]

🖋️ I deleted this book because of the vulgar language and the current fad of the equity stunt. ♦️ I received a Kindle eBook copy via the Goodreads Giveaway Program. Thank you to the author. 😀 🗑 Conversely, other readers may like this type of writing.

📖 Book version.

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