THE POWER OF ASKING “ARE YOU OK?”, BY MERONACA DAVIS

In the fast-paced world we live and work in—especially in industries like energy where deadlines, logistics, and responsibility often take center stage—it’s easy to lose sight of one of the simplest yet most profound questions we can ask: “Are you OK?”

On paper, it’s just three words. But in practice? It’s a pause. A moment of humanity. An invitation to be honest, vulnerable, and seen.

Why It Matters
Whether you’re a manager, mentor, peer, or someone passing by, those words can carry weight. Mental health and emotional well-being aren’t always easy to spot in a professional environment, and too often, people suffer in silence—especially those who “seem fine.”

I’ve been told I walk into the room smiling and energetic, whether it’s in meetings or face-to-face conversations. I’ve built a reputation for being upbeat and hard-driving—someone others can rely on for optimism and momentum. But at some point, I realized that hiding my emotions had become second nature. I was powering through, not processing.

When my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer (he’s now in recovery and doing well), I held it together—for a while. But eventually, I broke down. Not over his diagnosis specifically, but during a work conversation about something entirely unrelated. It was then I recognized just how much I’d been carrying, and how unhealthy it was to let unaddressed emotions go unchecked.

The Ripple Effect
Later in my career, a former colleague asked me a simple question: “Are you OK?”

In that moment, I wasn’t. And having someone notice, ask, and then listen allowed me to have an emotional—and ultimately healing—conversation. Part of it was about venting frustrations; part of it was about finding a path forward. That small act of empathy had a big impact.

I’ve also been on the other side of that exchange. I asked the same question to someone I worked with, and she immediately opened up. I could see the visible shift as she shared her frustrations and started to process them. Sometimes, that simple check-in can help someone move from stuck to steady.

Making It Meaningful
If you’re wondering how to integrate this into your day-to-day, here are a few quick tips:

• Ask with intention—don’t just toss it into conversation. Make space for the answer.
• Be prepared for honesty. If the answer is “No,” respond with empathy, not discomfort.
• Follow through. A second check-in can mean even more than the first.

Even if you don’t have the perfect words or solutions, your presence says plenty.

Final Thought
Let’s normalize check-ins—not just performance reviews or project updates, but true personal moments. “Are you OK?” can open doors we didn’t know needed opening.

So… who’s on your mind today? A teammate? A friend? A family member?

Reach out. Ask. Listen.

Because sometimes, the most powerful support begins with the simplest question.

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Meronaca Davis
WEN Global Regional Director
Sr. Title Specialist and Managing Member, Black Star Title, LLC