REDEFINING LEADERSHIP
A bold, emotional and original SESSION that challenges outdated ideas of strength and offers a new blueprint for modern leadership grounded in emotional fluency, identity and courage.
Hard As Nails is a national social experiment that asked a simple question: what happens when men step into that space and paint their nails? What followed surprised everyone. Men reported feeling more confident, more connected, and more emotionally open. Not just in the salon, but in their relationships, workplaces, and lives. A small aesthetic act triggered a big psychological shift.
Based on Sam’s award-winning national social experiment, Hard As Nails, this talk explores how redefining masculinity isn’t just a social issue—it’s a leadership advantage. Drawing from hundreds of anonymous male diaries, this session is raw, funny, and deeply human. It’s designed to open up honest conversations in places that need them most.
Features:
Real stories from frontline workers, fathers, creatives, and CEOs
Anonymous data collected from the campaign’s 300+ participants
A brave, unusual and disarming format (nail painting optional)
Takeaways:
A framework for emotional leadership in high-pressure roles
New language for identity, values and integrity at work
How to build teams where strength looks different—but performs better
Perfect for:
Leadership offsites and internal culture days
Organisations seeking to modernise their view of strength
Environments where emotional honesty is undervalued but needed
Sam Makes An Incredible Contribution To Progressing Talent And Developing Leaders. He’s A Role Model And An Inspiring Social Entrepreneur.
Alexandra Mahon, CEO Channel 4