I am still overjoyed that the SmikleSpeaks podcast was ranked the #1 Organization Development podcast for 2025 and now again in 2026! Thank you every single listener…and I’m grateful that people are listening in more than 20 countries. Thanks to each and every one of you! You keep listening and sharing and I’ll keep producing relevant, relatable content.

Today I want to spend time talking about empathetic leadership. I’m talking about being compassionate and recognizing that we are all human beings doing our best to have a good life, to get through trials, and have more laughter than tears. I'm talking about the compassion that begins with self and extends to others.