I think the expression simply means that no matter how complex your situation is, a real man will always make a plan and find a way out. They shouldn't give up easily.

In one of our native languages in Zimbabwe (Shona) they say 'kufa kwemurume kubuda ura' which when translated means; a real man only dies when gutted and disemboweled

When you make a plan to get out of your situation, there's no need anymore to cry, so 'real men dot cry'