Category Archives: Communication
March 18, 2026 The Power of Community
It’s a different world from 2013, when I published my book, The Ten-Minute Leadership Challenge. The workplace has changed substantially in some ways, but in other ways it has remained relatively unchanged. Amazingly, the core messages of many of my chapters have remained the same (having clarity, no excuses, being present). This signals to me that they will remain relevant, even if our world—and the work landscape—shifts dramatically again. One of those key concepts is building community.
Community is essential, both within and outside of the workplace. It’s about supporting others, cheering them on, and making sure their needs are met on multiple levels (from the base of Maslow’s pyramid to the top). An article by Psychology Today says that community is “especially important for people who’ve experienced trauma or loss, or who are feeling isolated, marginalized, bullied, or alone.” That’s true, but it’s also worth noting that community is important for all people, no matter what they are going through. Research supports the fact that community helps us to be physically healthier, mentally sharper, more productive, and more confident. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that, “Social connection can protect health across the lifespan. It can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of serious health problems, foster mental health, and prevent early death. It can also strengthen the social fabric, contributing to making communities healthier, safer and more prosperous.”
Because of the absolutely vital nature of community, it is important to actively foster it. In your personal life, you might make an effort to get to know your neighbors, join a community club, or participate in an online community group or chat. In the workplace, you could take the time to reach out, ask thoughtful questions, and get to know your team members on a deeper level. This should all come from a place of genuine caring—a desire to lift others up and be part of a positive ecosystem.
I fully acknowledge that reaching out and intentionally attempting to build community can be uncomfortable or boundary-pushing. If you’re accustomed to breezing through your day without much focus on those around you, this people-centric approach can feel unnatural at first. I suggest starting small and continuing to build at a sustainable pace. Check in with others, pledge to get to know one person a little better this week, or make a list of community-oriented groups to potentially join. You could even start smaller by simply greeting the cashier in the checkout line or waving hello to a neighbor.
Even tiny actions can help make your community a more welcoming, warm place. What one thing (or two!) can you do today to build a stronger community, either in your professional or personal life?
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
Tags: benefits of community, Building Community, Margaret Smith licensed Insights practitioner, Margaret Smith life coach, power of community, why build community
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Communication, Teamwork
March 4, 2026 Why Checking In is Meaningful
Throughout the years on this blog, I have often talked about heart-led leadership. This type of leadership is rooted in empathy and genuine care for others. It is not weak and does not involve being a pushover. Rather, it centers around building others up, engaging and empowering your team, and creating positive motion and change. This week, I want to address one specific aspect of heart-led leadership: checking in.
Far too often, we dive straight into business without taking the time to ask how the other person or people are doing. And I’m not talking about surface-level pleasantries that typically go, “How are you?” “Fine.” I’m talking about creating the space to let people be a little honest and vulnerable if they choose. No one should feel obligated to share anything they don’t want to share, but all people should feel invited to share it they’d like.
How might this look in practice? If you’re leading a meeting, you could take a few minutes at the beginning to let people open up. If something big has happened at work or in the local community (either good or bad), you could also acknowledge that. For example: “I know it’s been a tough week for everyone since we lost Client ABC, so I wanted to check in to see how everyone’s feeling and if you have any brief thoughts related to that.”
Another example: “I know the city has been chaotic lately with recent events, so I want to check in to gauge everyone’s headspace and see if I can offer extra support in some way.”
Keep in mind, this approach may not be appropriate for all groups at all times. You probably wouldn’t have this type of check-in with teams you barely know or when you only have a quick meeting scheduled. Use your judgement.
Alternatively, it can often be best to check in with others individually. In fact, you should probably do this anyway, regardless of whether you decide to check in with an entire group. An individual check-in is more personal, and if the other person really feels the need to open up about something, they can do so in private. But you have to build trust first! Demonstrate that you are respectful, a good listener, discrete with sensitive information, and that you genuinely care.
Checking in with team members helps create a safe and supportive space where people are free to be, well…people. Imperfect, stressed, frustrated, sad—we all feel these types of emotions sometimes, and it’s nearly impossible to stop their effects from trickling into the workplace. So why attempt to stop them? It’s better to get an idea of what the people in your office are going through and feeling so you can offer whatever resources, support, or allowances they need.
In short: a human workplace is a welcoming workplace.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
Tags: checking in meaningful, checking in with work team, Margaret Smith business coach, margaret smith career coach, meaningful check in at work, why check in work team
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- Posted under Better Business, Communication
February 4, 2026 Empathy As a Superpower
Empathy is a term that is used frequently and not always in a positive manner. It is sometimes viewed as weak or wishy-washy. And some people even see it as political. In truth, empathy is not a sign of weakness but of strength. And it isn’t political, or religious, or only meant for a certain segment of the population. Rather, it is deeply human and more necessary than ever.
It’s important to note that empathy is not the same as sympathy. Sympathy relates to feeling sorry for another, or even pitying them. Empathy is more about understanding. It’s about expanding your horizons to see another’s perspective. It’s about being curious and open enough to want to understand. This innate curiosity helps people of all backgrounds and beliefs work together, live side by side, and cooperate.
Because no two people are alike, empathy can, indeed, be a superpower. It’s a way to reach others, negotiate, and have productive dialogues. When there’s a need for creativity or brainstorming solutions, it’s a way of gathering different ideas and making sense of them. That’s because empathy goes hand-in-hand with solution seeking. It is essentially the opposite of combativeness or stubbornness.
In my experience, empathetic leaders are often skilled at bringing out the best in their teams. These individuals understand the importance of truly listening—soaking in both what someone is saying and the context or subtext related to what is being said. For example, if a team member is adamant about gearing a product toward working parents, an empathetic leader might think about what they know about that team member. Maybe they are a single mother who faces numerous everyday challenges. As such, their passion makes sense, and the empathetic leader will know they are speaking from experience. Likely, this person is not the only one who is facing similar struggles, and it is probably smart to consider their perspective when developing products or solutions.
Empathy is useful in all different contexts, both within and outside of the workplace. It’s a simple fact that everyone wants to be understood and listened to. Because of this, an empathetic person makes a good conversation partner by giving others the space to express themselves and explain their perspective. That doesn’t mean being a pushover, and it doesn’t mean an empathetic person doesn’t have their own opinions and beliefs. It simply means that they are open to listening and understanding.
In a world where things are often portrayed as black and white, empathy is a courageous but necessary choice. Without it, we would constantly be at loggerheads with others, stuck in a single perspective. That’s not productive, and it only creates animosity and hard feelings. Rather, let’s make an effort to choose empathy and start really listening to what others have to say. That can make all the difference.
MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.
Tags: active empathy, empathy as superpower, empathy at work, Margaret Smith life coach, Margaret Smith minneapolis, need for empathy
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- Posted under Advice from a Life Coach, Communication, Current Events
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