Posts by Jessica
Rethinking Training as More Than Just a Magical Fix
Dear readers, Today I’m delighted to share some words of wisdom from an amazing Instructional Designer who works with The Sparks Group, Jennifer Eichenberg! Jennifer designs and develops training and leadership development curriculums, reviews training materials and makes recommendations about the most cost-effective way to move forward and is a wonderful all-around partner in our…
Read MoreTourist, Traveler, or Pilgrim?
In life, are you a tourist, a traveler, or a pilgrim? I love to travel, as many people do. When I learned Rick Steves was giving a talk in Charlotte, I had to go. Rick Steves is an American travel writer, tour guide, and tv host. His company helps 30,000 people a year travel to…
Read MoreStrategic Planning That Hits
I was recently asked to facilitate the strategic planning retreat for a long-term client of The Sparks Group. I thought I would share the story of this work to illustrate how both developmental and business objectives can be accomplished in an integrated fashion, making the investment of senior leader time and effort have a…
Read MoreHappy Holidays: You are seen. You are safe. You belong.
Happy Holidays from The Sparks Group! We hope you are enjoying the season in whatever ways are most meaningful for you. Also: this can be a tough time of year for many reasons. We are delighted to share some thoughts from Dr. Laura Yee Breeding, one of our many talented coaches, on how the holidays…
Read MoreTeamwork Ugh
Teamwork. Collaboration. It sounds so straightforward, doesn’t it? Time and again, however, leaders share with us just how challenging it is. Many models describe what effective teaming looks like, the lifecycle of teams, and the dysfunctions team experience (thanks Patrick Lencioni!) While there’s value in many of these ideas, in the individual coaching context getting…
Read MoreRomancing the Stone … or Not.
Often, when people think of Cartagena, Colombia, they think of either Romancing the Stone or the illegal drug trade. Far more pedestrian, Cartagena was the site of our second annual Sparks Group retreat a couple of weeks ago. Anna, our Chief Operating Officer, is married to a diplomat and their family is based in Bogota,…
Read MoreWhy I Became an Executive Coach
I’m often asked how and why I became a coach. Let’s go back to 2008. I had just moved to Charlotte for my new role running the succession planning program at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I got off to a good start but a few months after I started, the woman who hired me took a…
Read MoreMake Feedback Your Superpower
Years ago, at the beginning of my coaching career, I was working with a leader (let’s call her Allie) who was having a challenge with a direct report of hers (let’s call him George). As Allie described it, George wasn’t showing up to work on time and wasn’t letting anyone – including her – know…
Read MoreCultivating Leadership in a Real Estate Development Firm
Summary This case study highlights the transformative journey of ABC Properties, a real estate development firm facing an ownership change, a CEO transition, and the pandemic. The engagement with The Sparks Group provided crucial support and guidance during this critical phase. Overall, the partnership with The Sparks Group contributed to ABC Properties’ successful transition and…
Read MoreTransforming a Creative Services Agency for Long Term Success
Summary In this case study, we explore the journey of a creative services agency that faced significant challenges with a retiring founder/CEO, an impending leadership vacuum, and struggles in securing new business. Through a comprehensive approach involving 360-degree assessments, group coaching sessions, and individual coaching, the agency successfully restructured its leadership team, established a new…
Read More