If this sounds like an odd question, it's time to ask yourself why there are so many leadership programs for women, but no modesty programs for men.

Q. But aren't all men perfect just the way they are?

A. You might think this, given how much time organisations spend trying to 'help' women, without ever addressing men's behaviour, attitudes and structural advantages as a class. But, as it turns out, no. Not all men are perfect.

Q. Oh, I see what you've done here. Is this some kind of joke?

A. Well, sort of. It's a joke in that people tend to find the idea of men's modesty seminars amusing.

We hope that, one day, the idea of women's leadership seminars will look just as silly.

Q. So what's this really about?

A. Every time an organisation offers a leadership program for women to 'get empowered' or 'boost confidence' it reinforces the notion that the ideal employee is male and that women need targeted 'improvement' in order to meet this implicit male standard.

Some organisations offer programs like this in good faith, but they distract and detract from real issues of structural inequality.

Progressive organisations, that truly value equality and diversity at work, need to recognise institutional barriers, improve polices and practices, and attribute responsibility for change.

But don't just take our word for it, check out the resources page for more information.