Technology has always been a double-edged sword. As the workplace and culture shift, we as humans are seeing more collaboration, access, and the ability to communicate across borders. But, it's also leading us to more stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Those dopamine hits are no joke!

This all impacts how we need leaders to show up and lead. We have to upskill our leaders for more connection, conversation, and collaboration. AI will be taking over a lot of the drudgery, so leadership now looks different from what it did 20 or 30 years ago. And for some leaders, there is a big skill gap between intent and impact. Something my guest today calls the Awkward Zone as she helps leaders to Own the Awkward.

Today, Jen Marr shares the three forces behind our fundamental workplace shifts and how this has changed the role of leaders. She talks about that Awkward Zone and how to navigate through it. She shares the Barbell concept, necessary to build up healthy, productive employees. We have an interesting discussion about time - how leaders track it, spend it, and can find more ways to spend it on their people rather than on useless tasks. And Jen shares what may finally shake us up from the unhealthy ways tech has taken over our lives at the cost of real connection, and what that flashpoint might be for us.

To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.

Listen in for…

The three major trends that are fundamentally shifting the workplace.
How to foster a healthy workplace with operational empathy and actionable steps.
Why actions, not nouns, frame lasting change so we can better handle our emotions.
How time tracking can help you be a more supportive leader.

"The awkward zone is that gap between our intent and our impact. Within that is a whole series of different habits, mindsets, and behaviors that get in our way." — Jen Marr

About Jen Marr, Founder & CEO, Showing Up LLC

Jen Marr helps leaders Own the Awkward - the high-stakes moments that decide whether people stay or stray. As founder of Showing Up LLC, she built the first research-driven framework that turns relational skills into repeatable business practice. More than 150 certified facilitators now deploy her process across Fortune 50 tech, major-league sports, healthcare systems, and even the White House Leadership Program.

Her programs replace awkward and nuanced relational issues with clear, confident skills and conversation frameworks. Freeing managers’ time, boosting collaboration, and anchoring cultures where people want to stay and do their best work.

A former healthcare and business development executive, she blends three decades of frontline experience with partnered research. Her books—Showing Up and the new Lifting Up package, the playbook.

Jen’s message is timely and actionable: relationships run results. When leaders lift people, performance follows, and every metric that matters moves with it.

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Connect with Jen:

Showing Up LLC: showing-up.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenmarr

Book: Lifting Up showing-up.com/lifting-up

Connect with Maria:

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Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader

LinkedIn: Maria Ross

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