Belonging
Crack the Cliques
Workplace Belonging in Just 3 Steps
Andrew unpacks the science and practice of community-building at work – helping organisations tackle loneliness, break down cliques, and create cultures where every person genuinely belongs.
Why this talk
It's been a turbulent few years for most people around the globe and given that the next 10 years are not likely to be any less challenging than the last 10 years (in terms of geo-political issues, climate change, the pace of modern life and technological change etc) the question of building thriving communities, is urgent and important for all organisations.
Without active communities, issues such as absenteeism, presenteeism, burnout, low morale, working in silos, communication issues, misunderstanding and a high turnover of staff are likely to characterise our organisations. If social connection is in our human DNA, then two hugely important questions need to be answered:
- How do you create communities where people belong and can reach out for support?
- How do you break down cliques and reduce levels of loneliness within your organisations?
In plain words
Clique
A small, closed group within a wider team or organisation. A clique is easy to spot from the outside, but not from the inside: the people in one are often unaware of it. Breaking cliques down is part of building a workplace where every person genuinely belongs.
The Loneliness Crisis
- Nearly one quarter of the world population feels lonely, with the highest levels of loneliness being reported by those between the age of 19–29.
- 15% of men say they have no close friends at all.
- The number of Kodokushi deaths, where the deceased person is not found for months after their death, is quickly rising (according to data from Japan and the UK).
What this session covers
The agenda, point by point
Everything your audience will move through – so you can judge the fit before you book.
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Why community safeguards human wellbeing, fosters peak performance and supports ongoing innovation (drawing on global research)
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Why community spirit is under pressure today and what that means for our organisations.
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Cliques? What are they? How do they form? Why are they so difficult to spot?
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How do you start meaningful conversations with someone you might be worried about and/or those who don't easily interact with others?
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Why loneliness is a vicious cycle and how to reconnect if you've become isolated.
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How to improve your own community building skills, from the small every-day habits, to the longer term shifts in your thinking?
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Lessons from the best: drawing on the wisdom of some of the best community builders to have been on my podcast, how do you build thriving communities within the workplace? Hear them on the podcast: Matt Grisedale, Patrick Nyarumbu, Richard Loftus, Ben Mason, Scott Johnson, Matt Hudson, Christian Chalfont, Jack Woodhams.
Go deeper
From the podcast and Insights
- Episode 52 How to build dynamic communities for men and why they matter Matt Grisedale is a community builder driven by one simple belief: people are better together.
- Episode 16 Men and the Men in Sheds Movement. Charlie Bethel is the Chief Executive Officer of the UK Men’s Sheds Association and has been with the organisation for over five years.
- Episode 58 The Power of Menfulness and how to spot the signs your mate is struggling. Jack Woodhams is a passionate mental health advocate and co-founder of Menfulness, a UK-based charity dedicated to encouraging men to talk openly about life, wellbeing, and emotional challenges.
- Episode 27 Men, and the Power of Mens' Retreats A company that creates spaces for men to explore who and where they are in life right now, and where they want to be moving forward.
- Article Men's networks: it's a no-brainer, right? Five lessons from men who built men's communities: it takes time, ask directly, prove community matters, allow variety and be ready to let go.
What your people leave with
Concrete outcomes, not vague good feelings
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Understand why community directly safeguards wellbeing, performance and innovation
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Recognise how cliques form and why they are difficult to spot
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Learn how to start meaningful conversations with isolated or vulnerable colleagues
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Break the loneliness cycle and reconnect people who have become isolated
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Build practical, everyday community-building habits at individual and organisational level
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Apply lessons from world-class community builders featured on Andrew's podcast
Who it's for
Leadership teams, HR and people professionals, employee wellbeing leads, and any organisation concerned about loneliness, isolation, or low psychological safety at work.
Mental Health & Resilience Keynote Speaker
Andrew speaks from lived experience – warm, honest and human, with the experience to back it up.
Andrew Pain is a TEDx speaker with 25 years’ HR experience, and his credentials include CPD-accredited keynote programmes; Member, International Coaching Federation; and Campaigner of the Year 2023, Men and Boys Coalition.
- TEDx speaker .
- Host of the Men on Show podcast (60 episodes) .
- Author of the book Honestly, Man .
- Member, International Coaching Federation .
Formats & logistics
Shaped to fit your event.
Andrew tailors every talk to your audience, theme and time slot. Here's how the practical side usually works – tell him the room and he'll shape the rest.
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Talk length
Keynotes usually run 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes 90. Around two hours it becomes a workshop; longer than that is rare.
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Audience size
From an intimate group of 8–12 to a main-stage audience of 200–250. Interactive workshops usually sit around 40–70.
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AV & tech
Andrew works with whatever setup you have. And if the tech fails, the show still goes on – he'll present without slides.
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In-person or virtual
Delivered on-site or online, on the platform you already use – most often Teams or Zoom.
“Your talk was brilliant. Everyone took a lot from it and it really set the tone for the rest of the conference with lots of engagement and discussion from the attendees.”
Laura Daubney
Events Organiser, Women's Network Conference, Magnox Ltd
The podcast
Men on Show
- Episode 53 The Men's Therapy Hub Launch and why more male therapists helps men .
- Episode 44 Can Football Really Save a Man’s Life? These Guys Say Yes .
- Episode 23 Men and the Grieving Pint .
- Episode 10 Men, Food Waste and Changing the World!
- Episode 9 Men, Depression and Walking Communities.
- Episode 1 Men, Nursing and the Jabali Network .
Before you book
Frequently asked
What is Crack the Cliques about?
The science and practice of community-building at work – helping organisations tackle loneliness, break down cliques and create cultures where every person genuinely belongs.
Why does community matter at work?
Drawing on global research, the talk explores why community safeguards wellbeing, fosters peak performance and supports ongoing innovation. Without active communities, absenteeism, presenteeism, burnout, low morale, silo working and high staff turnover are likely to characterise an organisation.
Who is Crack the Cliques for?
Leadership teams, HR and people professionals, employee wellbeing leads, and any organisation concerned about loneliness, isolation or low psychological safety at work.
Is this talk medical or therapeutic advice?
No. The talk draws on lived experience and is educational – it is not medical or therapeutic advice. If you or someone you know needs support now, the helplines are on this page.
Bring this to your organisation
Ready to talk it through?
Tell us about your event and audience – we'll come back with availability and how Crack the Cliques could land for your people.