Wow, we can’t believe it’s been eight years already! Join us this week as we flip through the Wayback Files and reflect on the moments that shaped People Spark Consulting. From leaving stable jobs, to our “Shark Tank” pitch to our husbands, to learning how to define what services we actually offered in those early days of business.

And how the risks, failures, pivots, lessons learned, and people we’ve met along the way gave us the confidence to keep building and keep growing. Hopefully through our celebration and looking ahead to the next chapter of People Spark Consulting, we’re able to give you a spark to keep learning and growing too. Thanks for listening!

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)

What’s the difference between employee satisfaction and employee engagement, and why does it matter more than most leaders realize?

In this episode, we break down a common misconception: satisfaction is about what employees get, while engagement is about what employees give. That distinction changes how leaders think about motivation, performance, and culture.

We also dig into a critical insight from recent research: manager engagement is declining, and that matters because managers drive the majority of the employee experience. When leaders overlook the engagement of their managers, it creates ripple effects across their teams.

Throughout our conversation, we explore practical ways leaders can move beyond surface-level check-ins and start building engagement through meaningful feedback, and intentional conversations that help managers feel heard, and supported.

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)

What does leadership actually mean in your organization?

In this episode, we dig into a shift many organizations are feeling right now. As spans of control grow and roles get bigger, leaders are often pulled back into doing the work instead of leading through their teams. And when that happens, engagement drops, priorities blur, and leadership starts to feel reactive instead of intentional.

We talk about what leadership really looks like today: achieving results through your team, not doing all the work yourself! Which, in turn, gives you and your team space to grow!

If your leaders feel stretched thin or "stuck in the weeds", we hope conversation will help you step back and redefine what leadership looks like for you.

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode) v2

Uncertainty can cause leaders to go quiet, but silence often creates more confusion than clarity. In this episode, we talk about how to lead through uncertain times by focusing on what you can control, communicating your intent clearly, and reinforcing the values that guide your decisions.

We also introduce one of our fundamental concepts here at People Spark, the Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence, and share how these strategies help leaders stay present and build trust while you and your team are moving through a future that feels unclear.

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode) v3

Leadership isn’t always about teamwork, and it isn’t always about individual performance. Sometimes it’s about knowing which game you’re playing.

In this episode, we explore the golf versus basketball leadership analogy, the importance of prioritizing your leadership team as Team One, and how aligning your leadership style with strategy creates stronger, more unified organizations.

And along the way, we ask an important question: Are you truly celebrating your team’s wins?

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)

Leadership comes with lots of responsibility, pressure, and many moments when you wonder who you can really talk to.

In this episode, we explore the reality of the loneliness of leadership and why having trusted peers matters more than many leaders realize. From carrying the weight of responsibility to figuring out what to do after stepping out of the weeds, leaders often find themselves without a clear sounding board.

Which can easily lead to why leaders sometimes get pulled back into the weeds without support, and how finding your “peace out people” can make leadership feel more rewarding and sustainable.

This episode is an invitation to reflect. Who are your "peace out people"?

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)

Working managers can get stuck in the weeds, too. Not because they don’t care, but because it feels faster to do it themselves. Over time, that adds up and normally leads to burnout.In this episode, we look at where managers tend to get stuck and how those of us in upper management can better support them, not by jumping in, but by providing clarity, trust, and leaving them room to actually lead.We talk about how to spot whether it’s a motivation issue or a support gap, what questions help managers step back into leadership, and how a few small shifts can keep your team leading strong through the busy season.If you want your managers to lead instead of carrying everything on their own, this one’s for you.

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)

In this episode, we step away from our current conversation about getting out of the weeds as we reflect on our recent experience at the GEAPS Exchange conference, where we presented during a leadership session on coaching, performance conversations, and the growing role of AI in the workplace. While AI can help leaders prepare talking points, analyze data, and think through challenges, it can’t replace the human side of leadership.

We also unpack the surprising gap between how often managers believe they’re giving feedback and how often employees say they actually receive it, and why that disconnect matters for retention, culture, and trust.

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Culture Development Session

Schedule your Culture Development Session. In this free 30-minute session, you will have a personalized conversation with an expert advisor, an opportunity to see how our programs can help you define your business and people strategies, and actionable insights tailored to your goals to move to the business you have always envisioned.

Leadership Transformation Program

Learn about how to develop YOUR ag leaders by scheduling time with the People Spark ® team. 96% of employees want feedback – constructive OR recognition. Yet another survey found that only 5% of managers provide critical feedback to employees – even though it’s important for their development. Nearly half of managers (44%) find giving feedback stressful. Nearly a quarter (21%) avoid giving it altogether.

Our leadership transformation program was designed to be straightforward and practical, providing content in digestible chunks, supporting participants through personalized feedback, and providing participants an environment to learn with other ag leaders across the country.

In many instances, managers just aren’t comfortable with WHAT to do, let alone HOW to do it. They feel it’s uncomfortable, they don’t want to demotivate employees and just aren’t sure how to do it. And the repercussions of NOT giving feedback end up impacting you and your business – through lower productivity and profitability, decreased employee engagement, and increased employee turnover.

Learn more at www.developagleaders.com.

Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals

(Source: www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode)