How Man-Hug Monday Changes Everything

July 13, 2009 · 11 comments

: Image by riviera 2005 via Flickr

In case you haven’t been following along at home, I’m really getting into the Man-Hug. (Sidebar question: hyphen or no?) So we piloted Man-Hug Monday last Friday and got enough of a response to give it the green light during a strenuous go/no-go decision making meeting.

That meant that I officially kicked off Man-Hug Monday today at work.

That’s right, today was the first official Man-Hug Monday in Humana Innovation Center history. And I must say that it brought back a lot of memories of those first few High Five Fridays from nearly a year ago…

- The “get out of my space” glares
- The “there’s no way I’m doing that” facial expressions
- The “WTFs?”

I cherished every minute of it.

Why Man-Hugs?

Why not man-hugs? I think that there are a lot of reasons to promote man hugging in the work place, not the least of which being that it totally freaks people out. You have to lower your defense mechanisms as a dude, when you’re hugging a man. And that’s uncomfortable for most people who choose to live a life of safety and convention.

When you’re man dancing, chest to chest, in front of people that you spend most of the day sitting with in meetings, you’re vulnerable. You’re out there. And I think that vulnerability is nothing short of great.

Another solid reason to man-hug co-workers is that it releases endorphins.

A Manifesto if you will

Man-hugs in the work place are not only OK, I think that they’re downright awesome. They serve as a welcome addition to the camaraderie building tool box that we all carry with us from 9 to 5. If you have an opportunity to give one, you need to take it. Its just that simple. Especially if you work with a bunch of Buzz Killingtons in other areas of your organization. Seek out some like-minded people and perform your secret handshake, the man-hug, in front of everybody.

You’ll be able to watch the look on people’s faces as they visibly wish that they were as cool as you… then help them be. You are the change that you want to see in your work place.

Take that to heart.

BikeMover

You go, Chris! I think it an excellent idea to get folks (read, men) out of their comfort zone in this engagement activity. It’s one of those, “that looks gay”, yet out of the same breath, “I, wish I could do that”.

Can this type of activity lead to some barriers dropping from those Buzz Killingtons that you mentioned? How do our female counterparts respond, and what impact does it have on them? In the end for me it seems to create a more ‘inviting’ work environment.

However, I don’t know if I’m ready for the kiss on opposing cheeks just yet
BikeMover

You go, Chris! I think it an excellent idea to get folks (read, men) out of their comfort zone in this engagement activity. It’s one of those, “that looks gay”, yet out of the same breath, “I, wish I could do that”.

Can this type of activity lead to some barriers dropping from those Buzz Killingtons that you mentioned? How do our female counterparts respond, and what impact does it have on them? In the end for me it seems to create a more ‘inviting’ work environment.

However, I don’t know if I’m ready for the kiss on opposing cheeks just yet
Chris Hall

Glad you you’re on board, Bikemover. I gave a cross gender hug to a co-worker at work today, to answer your question about the ladies. I’ve also heard talk of them kicking off Woman Hug Wednesdays and I’m all for it.
Chris Hall

Glad you you’re on board, Bikemover. I gave a cross gender hug to a co-worker at work today, to answer your question about the ladies. I’ve also heard talk of them kicking off Woman Hug Wednesdays and I’m all for it.
Tricia

I’ve cross gender hugged and woman to woman hugged people I worked with for years. Usually it is after a period of time when I’ve not seen them in awhile. Also, the friends I hang out with are a huggy bunch and we hug all the time upon greeting. Both cross gender and single gender.
Just fyi. Go you on the man hug thing.
Tricia

I’ve cross gender hugged and woman to woman hugged people I worked with for years. Usually it is after a period of time when I’ve not seen them in awhile. Also, the friends I hang out with are a huggy bunch and we hug all the time upon greeting. Both cross gender and single gender.
Just fyi. Go you on the man hug thing.
Chris Hall

Nice one, Tricia. I owe you a big hug for the lame birthday message I left you on Sunday. Hope it was a good one.
Chris Hall

Nice one, Tricia. I owe you a big hug for the lame birthday message I left you on Sunday. Hope it was a good one.
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