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.

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 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

[Tom Henricksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kori Reed spurs our interest in gender equity in the workplace. She has numerous interviews and insights packed into this book. Reed breaks it down into three parts. Starting with the business case for change in “Collaborators for Change”. The second part weaves into her interviews with numerous leaders in the “Undiscussed Perspective”. Finally, she shifts the narrative to include men in “A Lens to Move Forward”. Reed shows us how to lead change that includes everyone.