We're told in Gn. His relationship to the earth is a balance of dependence and dominion. Here we see his headship already functioning in relation to the earth over which he has dominion. His distinctive masculinity is seen in that labor which is focused upon the environment by which the provisions for life are obtained. Work is not inflicted as a result of the fall, it is not a 'curse'.
Work is inherent in what is good and is essential to Biblical manhood.
Creation is word-conditioned. Man, as image of God, is distinctively the 'word-creature'. By God's in-breathing, he is distinguished from the animals as a communicating being. It is in his capacity and responsibility to communicate that we also find an essential distinction between the sexes and the crux of male headship. The man uniquely, is constituted as the steward of words.