The People Spark Podcast

Versus: Solve the Problem

Say hello to the newest segment on the People Spark Podcast... Versus. In this series, we pit Erin and Kristen against each other as they take opposite sides of leadership topics. Sometimes they're defending an approach they truly believe in. Sometimes they're arguing the side they don't. The goal isn't to win. It's to challenge our thinking, uncover the "why" behind both perspectives, and help leaders make better decisions for their own teams. Versus: Solve the Problem or Build the Habit When a problem shows up, it's tempting to fix what's right in front of you. But great leaders know the real question isn't whether the problem gets solved. It's whether the habits that caused it actually change. In this episode of Versus, we debate the difference between solving today's problem and building habits that prevent tomorrow's. What's your thought!?  --- Culture Development Session Schedule your Culture Development Session. [https://calendly.com/d/cwdm-v2z-k3j/culture-development-session?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=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 [https://calendly.com/d/cw8k-kc9-2jt/leadership-development?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=leadership-development]. 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 [http://www.developagleaders.com/]. Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals [https://www.texturehouse.us/]   (Source:  www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode [https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode-031])

Versus: The Culture!

Say hello to the newest segment on the People Spark Podcast... Versus. In this series, we pit Erin and Kristen against each other as they take opposite sides of leadership topics. Sometimes they're defending an approach they truly believe in. Sometimes they're arguing the side they don't. The goal isn't to win. It's to challenge our thinking, uncover the "why" behind both perspectives, and help leaders make better decisions for their own teams. Versus: Protecting Culture Versus Evolving Culture Culture is one of the hardest things to build and one of the easiest things to lose. But should leaders focus on protecting the culture they've created, or should they let it evolve as their business grows? In our first Versus episode, we explore both sides of that question and unpack the strengths, risks, and leadership decisions that come with each approach. --- Culture Development Session Schedule your Culture Development Session. [https://calendly.com/d/cwdm-v2z-k3j/culture-development-session?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=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 [https://calendly.com/d/cw8k-kc9-2jt/leadership-development?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=leadership-development]. 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 [http://www.developagleaders.com/]. Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals [https://www.texturehouse.us/]   (Source:  www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode [https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode-031])

Coward's Corner

Most of us know what it feels like to avoid a conversation we'd rather not have. But what if the thing you're avoiding isn't actually the problem? In this episode, we explore a concept from one of our recent leadership trainings that sparked more discussion than we expected: Coward's Corner. --- Culture Development Session Schedule your Culture Development Session. [https://calendly.com/d/cwdm-v2z-k3j/culture-development-session?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=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 [https://calendly.com/d/cw8k-kc9-2jt/leadership-development?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=leadership-development]. 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 [http://www.developagleaders.com/]. Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals [https://www.texturehouse.us/]   (Source:  www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode [https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode-031])

The Messy Middle of Strategy

This week, we explore what happens after the vision is set and before the path forward becomes clear: the messy middle of strategy. Why do we as leaders get stuck between knowing where we want to go and actually getting there? The tension between strategy and execution is murky water, and the path to growth often requires more than a good plan. Sometimes the hardest part isn't deciding what you want for the future. It's committing to what it will take to get there. --- Culture Development Session Schedule your Culture Development Session. [https://calendly.com/d/cwdm-v2z-k3j/culture-development-session?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=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 [https://calendly.com/d/cw8k-kc9-2jt/leadership-development?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=leadership-development]. 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 [http://www.developagleaders.com/]. Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals [https://www.texturehouse.us/]   (Source:  www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode [https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode-031])

The Downfall of They Should Know

"They should know." Most leaders have said it. Most leaders have thought it. And more often than not, it's a sign that something isn't as clear as we think it is. In this episode, we unpack why "they should know" is one of the most common traps leaders fall into. We explore how assumptions create gaps between what leaders mean and what teams hear. The next time you catch yourself saying, "they should know," pause for a second and ask a different question: how do I know they do? --- Culture Development Session Schedule your Culture Development Session. [https://calendly.com/d/cwdm-v2z-k3j/culture-development-session?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=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 [https://calendly.com/d/cw8k-kc9-2jt/leadership-development?month=2025-10?utm_source=peoplesparkpodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=leadership-development]. 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 [http://www.developagleaders.com/]. Podcast Produced by Texture House Sound & Visuals [https://www.texturehouse.us/]   (Source:  www.peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode [https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/podcast/episode-031])