In this episode, Geoffrey Smith sits down with Jen Marr, author, speaker, and relationship leadership pioneer, to explore how leaders can navigate uncertainty, disruption, and human challenges in the modern workplace. Drawing from over a decade of research into human behavior during crisis and upheaval, Jen shares how our instinctive responses to distress are often misaligned with what people truly need, and how leaders can develop practical skills to better support others. 
They discuss the impact of generational shifts, the rise of digital communication, and why face-to-face human connection remains essential for building trust, engagement, and belonging in teams. Jen also shares powerful insights from her work in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, revealing how well-intentioned actions can sometimes miss the mark when people fail to ask what support is truly needed. The conversation challenges the common understanding of empathy and compassion, highlighting why emotions alone are not enough and why the right actions must come first. This episode offers a practical and deeply human perspective on leadership, showing how intentional connection, clear conversations, and consistent check-ins can transform both workplaces and lives.
Additional Resources:
Follow Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmarr/
Visit Jen's website: https://jenmarr.com/home
Check out Jen's books: https://www.showing-up.com/books
Visit Mo-Ments of Experience's website: www.mo-mentsofexperience.com
Subscribe to Mo-Ments of Experience on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@mo-mentsofexperience?si=IZAB036xX1mmrn2C\
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/
Key Takeaways:
- Humans often respond incorrectly to distress or uncertainty, making practical care skills essential for effective leadership.
- Empathy and compassion are emotions, but meaningful support requires the right actions, not just good intentions.
- Face-to-face connection and frequent check-ins help employees feel seen, valued, and supported.
- Generational differences and digital communication are reshaping how people connect and collaborate at work.
- Leaders can strengthen culture by building clear communication frameworks and focusing on human relationships first.
