The People Spark Podcast

Getting People On Board

Maybe people’s resistance to change isn’t actually about the change itself. This week, we take a little bit of a detour as we dive into some lessons we’ve learned teaching a change management course at the University of Illinois, and unpack one of the biggest challenges we see leaders facing: solving the wrong problem. As we reflect on the idea of “falling in love with the problem, not the solution,” we talk through why alignment matters before action, how to reduce resistance before it starts, and why getting people on board has less to do with convincing people and more to do with understanding the real issue underneath the surface. --- 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])

Another Lap Around the Sun

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! --- 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])

Satisfaction Focused on Engagement

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. --- 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])

Defining Leadership in Your Organization

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. --- 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]) v2

Leading Through the Unknown

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. --- 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-023]) v3