063 -- How Leaders Can Show Up Without Being Therapists

In this powerful conversation, Coach Woody is joined by Jen Marr, founder of Showing Up and author of the new book Lifting Up, to discuss how leaders can navigate burnout, awkward conversations, and emotional overwhelm in the workplace—without crossing the line into therapy.

After witnessing major national tragedies firsthand—Sandy Hook and the Boston Marathon bombings—Jen committed her life to helping leaders and organizations build stronger, more compassionate relationships in times of hardship.

This episode is a guidebook for any leader who wants to support their team with empathy, clear boundaries, and real relational skills in today’s tech-heavy and emotionally disconnected workplace.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why human connection skills are the missing piece in modern leadership—not another framework.

• The “5 80s” framework: 5 surprising 80% stats that reveal a disconnect between intention and impact in the workplace.

• How to balance supportive leadership without overstepping into therapist territory.

• The Barbell Framework: Self-care, supportive care (leader's role), and clinical care—and why the “middle” matters most.

• What it really means to be available, approachable, and relatable as a leader in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous).

  
  

🎧 Listener Takeaway:

You don’t have to be a therapist to be a phenomenal leader. What you do need are intentional relational skills that help your team feel seen, heard, and supported—especially in times of burnout and uncertainty. Jen Marr reminds us that empathy is not a feeling—it’s a skillset. And every leader can learn it.

📲 Stay Connected:

• Learn more about Jen’s work: showing-up.com

• Connect with Jen on LinkedIn

Books:

• Showing Up – by Jen Marr on Amazon

• Lifting Up – by Jen Marr on Amazon

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast:

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

  
  

⏱️ Timestamps:

• (00:00) Intro to Jen Marr and the need for human leadership

• (01:24) Social wealth vs. leadership frameworks

• (02:24) How Jen’s journey began (Sandy Hook & Boston Marathon)

• (06:15) What Lifting Up is—and isn’t

• (09:35) Why leaders struggle with awkward conversations

• (13:31) The 5 80s framework explained

• (18:30) The importance of modeling vulnerability

• (24:11) Availability = Approachability + Relatability

• (28:08) Navigating awkwardness with boundaries

• (30:36) Intention vs. Impact: Addressing blind spots

• (38:10) Redefining management vs. leadership

• (47:08) What kinds of conversations Lifting Up focuses on

• (50:58) Jen’s vision for future workplaces

• (57:16) Responsibility: Leader vs. individual

• (59:45) Navigating delegation without “dumping”

• (1:01:11) Where to learn more + closing thoughts

  
  

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:

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