The New Leadership Paradigm: Building the Relational Capacity Work Now Requires

By: Jen Marr
Wednesday, December 9, 2026

Tundra Lodge

7:30AM – 9:30AM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

As work becomes faster, more digital, and increasingly disrupted, many leaders are still relying on a playbook built primarily for managing tasks and performance. Jen Marr reveals why organizations now need relational capability to progress as quickly as technology and introduces an evidence-based human operating system for helping leaders build trust, surface challenges earlier, and navigate the human complexity shaping today’s workplace.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain why the changing nature of work requires organizations to advance relational capability alongside technological and operational progress.
• Recognize the leadership behaviors that create an Awkward Zone, including avoiding, fixing, deflecting, or doubting when employees bring forward complex concerns.
• Identify where relational breakdowns are contributing to poor communication, disengagement, overload, and preventable workplace tension.
• Apply foundational practices, including fast and frequent one-on-one conversations, supportive conversation guidelines, and support mapping, to help leaders respond with greater consistency and confidence.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Jen Marr is the founder and CEO of Showing Up LLC, a three-time author, and the creator of an evidence-based relational leadership and culture-building operating system designed for today’s increasingly complex workplace.

Her work began through firsthand experience supporting communities during profound disruption. After serving families, educators, and community members following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy and personally experiencing the Boston Marathon bombing months later, Jen dedicated her career to understanding how human beings respond to uncertainty, adversity, and change, and what leaders must know to guide people through it well.

For more than a decade, she has worked with researchers, government agencies, and organizations across industries to study the human side of disruption. Her work has included collaborations connected to Northeastern University, the New York State Office of Mental Health, and Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program.

Jen is the author of Showing Up: A Comprehensive Guide to Comfort & Connection and Lifting Up: The Transformative Power of Supportive Leadership. Her frameworks have been used across Fortune 50 companies, healthcare systems, global law firms, professional sports, education, government, and nonprofit organizations. More than 150 professionals have been certified to facilitate Showing Up and Lifting Up programming around the world.

A Wisconsin native now based in Oconomowoc, Jen helps leaders build the practical relational capability required to strengthen trust, navigate human complexity, and create workplaces where people can do their best work together.

MEETING SCHEDULE:

7:30AM – 8:00AM                           Registration and Breakfast Buffet

8:00AM – 8:15 AM                          SHRM Business and Sponsor

8:15AM – 9:30AM                           Presentation  

Reservation Deadline: Friday, December 4th at 5:00 PM.     

$35 – GB SHRM Members

$40 – Guest of GB SHRM Member/Non-Members

$20 – SHRM Student Chapter Member

THIS MEETING'S PLATINUM SPONSOR:

Sponsor details to come!