Through the challenges of family responsibility and fatherhood, Group Manager Max Hampton has had reason to ponder resilience, loss and leadership more than most. On the eve of International Men’s Day, and as a new father, he’s pausing to reflect on the values that have shaped him and the importance of showing up authentically, both at work and in life.

I was just 20 when I landed my first gig as a store manager. Life was looking up, and I had good people around me, giving me an important leg up. But things took a hard turn in 2015 when my father took his own life. That kind of loss leaves a mark on you. He was my idol, the strongest guy I knew – but he had his demons, and he hid them well.

My little brother was just ten then, and suddenly, I was more than a big brother; I was his guardian. I took some time off and did some labouring work with mates, just trying to keep things steady for him. Then, in 2016, I joined Woolies – the “Green Brigade”. It’s funny, you know, how life lines these things up.

Here I am now, managing nine stores across Victoria, from Bendigo to Sunbury, with my brother still by my side, even working his own role as a manager at Woolies.
 

Leadership, to me, is more than ticking boxes. I look after about 1300 people, and every one of them comes to work with their own story. Not everyone’s having a good day, even if they’re smiling.

I try to keep my door open and make it known that they can bring their whole selves to work, struggles and all. And a lot of people would normally believe that an individual needs to be away from work when life is giving them a hard time, but work can actually be a safe haven for many people.

As a leader – and as a bloke – I think it’s important to show up honestly. I was raised with that “tough it out” mentality, but I’ve learned it’s okay to let people see the real you. When my son Dustin was born, that hit home for me.

Suddenly, the little things mattered: his first smile, his first meal. I've really worked on my emotional intelligence, my emotional awareness, but also my patience and perspective – that’s what he’s taught me.
 

For International Men’s Day, I’d say this: it’s okay not to be okay. Life’s rough sometimes, but opening up isn’t weakness – it’s strength. I hope that by being real, I can show my son, my brother, and the young men on my team that there’s more to being a man than just pushing through. It’s about being there, fully, for the people who need you. And Woolies? They’ve given me the space to do just that.

If you or anyone you know is needing mental health support or urgent care, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. You can also contact Mensline on 1300 78 99 78 or visit mensline.org.au.