Leadership Performance: 6 Key Concerns for Up-and-Coming Male Leaders and Boys Adrift

Leadership Performance: 6 Key Concerns for Up-and-Coming Male Leaders and Boys Adrift

As part of my Leadership Development work, I recently started reading Boys Adrift: The 5 Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men by Leonard Sax, MD, PHD. In the first 4 chapters, he’s talking primarily to those involved in educating and training today’s K-12 students about these trends:

• Changes at School
• Video Games
• Medications for ADHD
• Endocrine Disruptors
• Lack of Male Role Models

As I considered these inputs, I’m wondering how these conditions might impact up-and-coming male leaders who are dealing not only with these issues, but also the challenges of digital disruption and AI algorithms.

 As my Millennial friend asked – Will we lead AI? Or will it enslave us?

When I asked ChatGPT about 6 key concerns of young men growing up in today’s world, this is what it said (see section below.)

What do you see?  What are you hearing?  Is ChatGPT on track?  Off track?

I look forward to hearing from you. Email me at Danita@DanitaBye.com

ChatGPT said:

Young men in their 20s today are launching their careers in a landscape that’s radically different from past generations. They face a unique mix of internal and external challenges that affect their confidence, decision-making, relationships, and long-term growth.

Here are 6 key issues that stand out for 20-something men starting their careers:

1. Identity and Purpose Confusion

Many young men are asking: Who am I? What am I here to do? In a culture filled with mixed messages about masculinity, success, and achievement, they often lack a clear, values-based vision for their lives. Without a strong inner compass, it’s easy to drift or chase shallow goals.

2. Fear of Failure and Risk Aversion

With social media amplifying success stories and comparisons, many young men fear taking risks or making mistakes. They want to succeed, but often avoid challenges that could stretch or grow them—leading to passivity or indecision.

3. Lack of Mentorship and Role Models

Many are navigating career and life transitions without strong male role models. Whether due to fatherlessness, distant leadership, or cultural shifts, they lack older men who model integrity, discipline, and relational leadership.

4. Emotional Isolation and Mental Health Struggles

There’s a growing awareness of mental health, yet many young men still feel pressure to appear strong and independent. They may suppress emotions, avoid vulnerability, and lack the tools to process anxiety, disappointment, or self-doubt.

5. Overwhelm from Infinite Options

With countless career paths, online influencers, and societal pressures, many feel decision fatigue. They don’t know what path to choose—or they start but second-guess themselves constantly.

6. Struggling to Define Manhood in a Changing Culture

There’s confusion about what it means to “be a man” today. Some feel ashamed of traditional masculinity; others feel defensive. Few have a healthy, virtue-based definition that includes both strength and service, courage and compassion.

What do you see?  What are you hearing?  Is ChatGPT on track?  Off track?

I look forward to hearing from you. Email me at Danita@DanitaBye.com

© Copyright, Danita Bye 2025, with AI-generated input from ChatGPT.