Masculinity Vs. Manliness | FRIDAY FIELD NOTES
Join Ryan Michler as he explores the distinction between masculinity and manliness, a conversation that goes beyond mere semantics. Drawing insights from our social media followers, he discusses how masculinity often encompasses inherent traits like dominance and competitiveness, while manliness is about applying these traits through cultural, moral, and ethical lenses.
By sharing various perspectives and definitions, Ryan illustrates that masculinity is a birthright, but manliness must be earned through responsible and positive actions. This conversation encourages a broader discussion on how men can effectively cultivate these attributes to benefit themselves and others.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
- Introduction to Masculinity vs. Manliness Discussion
- Listener Quotes on Masculinity vs. Manliness
- Defining Masculinity and Manliness
- Masculinity as Biological Traits
- Manliness as Earned Characteristics
- Good Man vs. Good at Being a Man
- The Importance of the Distinction
- Masculinity as an Amoral Tool
- Appropriate vs. Misuse of Aggression
- Manliness: Applying Masculine Traits for Good
- Final Thoughts on Masculinity vs. Manliness
Get more information on the Iron Council brotherhood.
Battle planners are back in stock. Pick yours up today.
Order Ryan’s new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.
Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready
Download the NEW Order of Man Twelve-Week Battle Planner App and maximize your week.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Connect with Ryan on Instagram and Twitter
Join the Order of Man Facebook group
Please leave us a rating and review
Support the Order of Man mission by picking up merchandise in our store
Do You Have What it Takes to Lead Well? | FRIDAY FIELD NOTES
Unlock the secret to powerful leadership by harnessing the strength of emotional intelligence. Society may often cast aside traditional masculine traits, but we're here to reclaim them by understanding what it truly means to embody stability and reliability. This episode highlights the critical role emotional intelligence plays in being a grounding presence for our loved ones and colleagues. We explore how mastering our emotions allows us to remain composed during life's toughest moments, transforming us into the unwavering "rock" that others can lean on.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
- Restoring Masculinity Through Emotional Intelligence
- Developing Emotional Intelligence Through Competence
- Building Trust Through Honest Communication
- Emotional Stability and Leadership in Men
Get more information on the Iron Council brotherhood.
Battle planners are back in stock. Pick yours up today.
Order Ryan’s new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.
Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready
Download the NEW Order of Man Twelve-Week Battle Planner App and maximize your week.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Connect with Ryan on Instagram and Twitter
Join the Order of Man Facebook group
Please leave us a rating and review
Support the Order of Man mission by picking up merchandise in our store
What It Is to Truly Be a Man
"IF"
by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
You’re Not Who You Think You Are
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man."
- Heraclitus
Life never stands still. Every day, every challenge, every victory, and every failure changes you. You’re not who you were yesterday, and tomorrow’s river will be different.
You can’t control the flow, but you can control how you step into it.
Embrace the change. Don’t cling to who you were or what you’ve done. The past is gone. What matters is who you’re becoming. Keep moving, keep learning, keep pushing. The river changes, and so do you—be the man who adapts, evolves, and dominates whatever comes next.
Change is inevitable. Progress is a choice.
The mark of a dangerous man...
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." - Sun Tzu
True danger comes from mastering the ‘soft skills’—self-confidence, assertiveness, clear communication, and relentless learning. These are the skills that sharpen your mind, solidify your resolve, and make you truly formidable.
Build unshakeable confidence by facing your fears head-on.
Be assertive—stand your ground, speak your mind, and make your presence felt. Communicate clearly and effectively; the ability to influence, negotiate, and lead is a powerful weapon. Constantly educate yourself—knowledge isn’t just power; it’s the backbone of capability.
Dangerous men aren’t just ready for physical confrontation; they’re mentally and emotionally prepared for any challenge.
Harden yourself with these skills, control your power, and become the man others can count on when it matters most. That’s the true mark of a dangerous man.
This Will Breed Rebellion Amongst Your Ranks
“Rules without relationship lead to rebellion."
- Josh McDowell
Is your leadership ever met with minimal compliance, eye rolls or other passive aggressive behaviors?
Yes, their attitude sucks, but that's not the real issue. Sure, "leading harder" might achieve temporary compliance, but that’s not what you’re after. Blame and tyranny will quickly degrade your influence; the solution lies in the heart and mind of you, the leader.
A caring and trustworthy leader won’t face the same resistance.
How strong is your relationship with them? Have you earned their trust? Do they know you care?
Elevate your empathy — learn their loves, their dreams, and their struggles. Compliment strengths, champion achievements, and acknowledge challenges. Do this earnestly and consistently, and they will follow you.
Are You Effective or Affected?
“A thermometer reflects the temperature of the room; a thermostat sets it." - Stephen Covey
For those committed to sovereignty, being a thermometer is clearly not an option — yet, adopting the role of a thermostat without emotional intelligence can be even worse.
As leaders in our homes, communities, and workplaces, it’s vital to manage our emotions and not let inner struggles affect those around us. True leadership means consistently setting a positive tone and influencing the environment constructively.
The role of a thermostat is not about control; it’s another opportunity to serve.
By mastering self-regulation and embodying the thermostat mindset, leaders can elevate their surroundings and drive positive change, rather than simply reflecting what’s already there.
“Tell the truth, or at least don't lie." - Jordan Peterson
Your lies are likely rooted in a fear of the truth – and truth is a virtue we should all strive to protect — it brings order, clarity, and wisdom. Lies, in contrast, throw us into darkness, chaos, and confusion.
When others believe your lies, they’re left frustrated, confused, or worse. When exposed, you suffer a loss of credibility and influence. In time, both outcomes are likely.
Here's a universal truth: there are no “white lies.”
This term is a convenient excuse to justify weakness, avoid conflict, and lower our standard of integrity.
The truth may be uncomfortable, but it’s the foundation of trust and respect, and it’s every man’s responsibility to stand for what he knows to be true — work that begins in the hearts and minds of each of us individually.
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." - Booker T. Washington
Every man has the power to amplify — how does this look in your life? Are you showing off, boosting your own ego? Playing the victim, magnifying your own weakness? Or are you turning that power outward, using it to serve those around you?
Where is your focus when you talk to others?
Think about the kind of influence you'd wield if you made it a habit to notice and highlight the good in those around you. Imagine people walking away from you feeling stronger, more capable, more valued.
This isn’t just feel-good talk — there's real power here.
Are you helping others see the best in themselves, or are you letting moments for growth pass by? Be the source of that energy. Amplify the victories, the progress, the strengths you see in others, and watch as it transforms not just them, but you as well.
The Power of a Coach's Voice
“The most important conversations you'll ever have are the ones you'll have with yourself"
- David Goggins
We've all seen the surge in “life coaches” hitting the scene recently – a 2023 report shows a 54% increase in life coaches since 2019.
While good coaching is something we should all seek out and advocate for, true sovereignty requires taking control of your own self-talk, and in a way, becoming your own life coach.
Speak to yourself the way you’d coach another man.
Acknowledge reality, embrace possibility, and cultivate positivity.
What kind of coach would ignore your weaknesses and over-inflate your ego? Or spend 10 minutes recounting your mistakes and telling you how worthless you are?
Is your self-talk an asset or a liability? The reality is, it’s probably somewhere in the middle. The key is to recognize the power of your inner voice, and commit to guiding it with the same care and respect you would offer to someone you are coaching.
Improve Your Self-Image – Improve Your Reality
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill
You are the architect of your own self-image. It’s crafted through a combination of consistent actions and thought patterns. This self-image is the primary driver of your perceived reality, which, in turn, significantly influences your actual reality.
Improve your self-image – Improve your reality.
To put it another way, your reality is shaped by what you believe you deserve, and these beliefs stem from your most consistent actions. When you change your habits and elevate your actions, you earn a new level of self-respect and see yourself deserving of a greater life.
It's that simple and that challenging.
Take control of your actions. Change the man you are. Watch your world transform.
They want you weak, sick, addicted and reliant.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The challenges we face today are unprecedented, and the call for principled and resilient men is louder than ever. Like it or not, you have powerful enemies — corporations, governments, organizations, and individuals — who want you weak, sick, addicted, and reliant. Understanding and countering these forces is essential for every man seeking sovereignty.
Strategies for Resistance
- Financial Freedom - Achieving financial independence is critical. Not only does it free you from the shackles of debt, but it also positions you to provide gifts or loans to those in your community. Debt prevents us from accessing numerous possibilities and opportunities life has to offer and keeps us trapped in a system designed to benefit the lenders.
- Health & Fitness - Maintaining a high level of health and fitness is paramount. Chronic illness not only drains your finances but also limits your sovereignty and options. Prioritize your health to ensure you remain strong and capable.
- Critical Thinking - Be well-informed, open-minded, and discerning about where you get your information. Cultivate the ability to think critically and independently. This will shield you from manipulation and allow you to make decisions that are in your best interest.
- Strong Community - Foster a robust community you can rely on for anything from childcare and assistance with two-man jobs to expertise and good old-fashioned camaraderie. A strong network provides support and reinforces your resilience.
- Guard Your Mind - What programming do you tune into? What values have you adopted or compromised? Society often pushes norms and expectations that do not serve your best interests. Learn to identify and reject these detrimental influences.
These powerful entities have one primary goal: to control you. Whether for profits, power – whatever – their motive doesn’t matter. They exist and they aim to keep you subdued and dependent. Stay sharp, be honest, identify these threats for what they are, and resist their effects in your personal life at all costs. Through our growth and leadership, we can improve our culture and society, one strong, moral, and confident man at a time.