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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Tag Archives: Margaret Smith licensed Insights practitioner

October 7, 2026 Learning to Truly “See” Others

It’s easy to walk through life without truly seeing others. We get so caught up in our own lives, our own circles, that we often fail to see the people who are right in front of us—the cashier, the barista, the oil-change tech, the roofer, the mail carrier, the person behind the deli counter or bakery case. Whole communities of people often go unnoticed, supporting the lives of others through their work.

And then there are the people who are close to us, the co-workers we pass in the hallway, the family members with whom we share a dining table or the living room couch. We might notice these people in our daily lives, but how often do we truly see them? How well do we know them?

From my perspective, the world would be a better place if we all made an effort to see those around us in a meaningful way, to see their humanity. What if we paused to say hello and ask how someone’s day is going? And what if we truly listened to the answer, instead of rushing through the interaction? What if we stretched outside our comfort zones and dared to get to know people outside our usual circle? What if we started noticing the people who make our everyday lives possible?

Why take the time to see others?

Far too often, people fail to see the incredible network of people who support them. The hotel room is magically cleaned. The package is delivered. The bread is baked, packaged, and placed on the shelf. By acknowledging these people and systems, we can gain a greater appreciation for how much collaboration and coordination it takes to make the modern world function. You, too, are a part of this system (even as “only” a consumer/customer), and hopefully someone is appreciating your contributions!

Beyond this miracle of cooperation, learning to see others can increase our empathy, dissolve fears and prejudices, and build community. While that may sound lofty, it’s absolutely true. The more you interact with people outside of your typical network, the more you will expand your worldview. You’ll see that most people have more in common with you than you might have realized. They have families and friends, they have children and siblings, they have hobbies and special interests, they root for a particular sports team, they have dreams for the future. And you’ll probably also realize that most of us want the same things: security for our families, good food, laughter, close friends, moments of excitement and entertainment, a comfortable bed.

In short, seeing the humanity in others can help us be better neighbors and citizens. If we dare to lift our eyes to truly see the people in front of us, we can open ourselves to new worlds and perspectives. If more people made an intentional effort to see others, can you imagine how that might change the world for the better?

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.

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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.

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April 23, 2025 Help Others to Adapt (by Leveraging Your Strengths)

Photo by Andreea Avramescu on Unsplash

In my last post, I discussed the variety of ways in which people process and cope with change. While change might excite and energize some, others may feel discouraged or frightened by it. This, of course, can depend on what type of change we’re dealing with, and the circumstances around it. It also depends on a person’s personality and ways of processing change.

These concepts can all be tied to Insights® Discovery, a science-based program which helps people become better acquainted with themselves, their personal tendencies, how they react or adapt to certain situations, and more. (See my last post for more information on the program.) Suffice it to say, we all have different methods for dealing with change, and some of that is driven by our personal attributes and inclinations.

No one is flawless when it comes to fielding change. We all have areas of improvement, but we also have areas of strength. To help others cope with change, I’d like to challenge you to think about your personal strengths and how they can be an asset. Let’s discuss some of the strengths you might have:

You’re Research- or Data-Oriented

If you’re the type who likes to have the full, evidence-based picture before proceeding, you can play into this strength to help facilitate change. During times of uncertainty, research and data can assist us by painting a better picture of a situation (whether for better or worse!). And that, in turn, can help people understand how to move forward.

When leaning into this strength, keep in mind that not everyone sees the world as you do, so it’s a good idea to present the data in a way that is easily understood and digestible.

Note: these traits are associated with “blue energy” on the Insights® Discovery color wheel.

You’re a Go-Getter

For some, change is exciting and energizing. It feels like an opportunity to create a new, better reality. Even if a situation may seem negative on the surface, someone with a go-getter personality will want to move forward, experiment, and try out the new normal. While it is often a good idea for gregarious types to slow down, consider repercussions, and examine the data, it is also a good thing to have this type of movement-focused energy.

To help others, it’s prudent to channel some of this energy into concrete actions. Pinpoint a few reasons to get excited about the change and/or discuss a few ways of implementing the change as effortlessly as possible. Alternatively, if a certain change seems wholly terrible, a go-getter will develop strategies to refute or rework the change into something better. In short, let your enthusiasm be contagious and propel positive change.

Note: these traits are associated with “red energy” on the Insights® Discovery color wheel.

You’re Empathetic and Big-Hearted

Some people are defined by being caring and empathetic, often placing others’ wellbeing before their own. These compassionate souls can help either facilitate a change or soften its blow by considering how certain people (or groups of people) will react to or be affected by the change. Since the world (and workplace) is comprised of all types of people with different background and beliefs, it is tremendously valuable to be able to think beyond yourself and put yourself in others’ shoes.

This way of thinking can lead to adapting plans that work for a wide array of people, OR personalizing strategies to cater to certain groups. Perhaps certain aspects of a certain change will work for specific people, while other aspects should be rejected or reconsidered. Whatever the case, those with empathy are well-equipped to lead people-centered actions.

Note: these traits are associated with “green energy” on the Insights® Discovery color wheel.

You’re Creative

Some moments require creative minds and out-of-the-box thinkers to take the lead. These personality types can examine a difficult situation and start thinking of ways to rework it, move around it, or reject it. Creative solutions can help people dealing with a major change OR they can help to reinvent/rethink the change so it works better for more people.

If we pair creative types with those who prefer to lean on evidence and research, we can create a powerful team that, in theory, balances data with innovative solutions.

Note: these traits are associated with “yellow energy” on the Insights® Discovery color wheel.

No matter your personality, you have the capability to help others deal with change. Whether you’re opposed to or supportive of the change, you have the power to navigate it, using your unique strengths and personality traits. Start thinking about your personal attributes as your superpowers!

BONUS: Insights® Discovery provides a chart for the four major personality types (color energies) to manage change. I encourage you to take a look:

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. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE.

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