Leader Spotlight - Jess Sparks

Our Leader Spotlight includes advice and insights from our clients and friends. It is our pleasure to shine the light on leaders who inspire growth, collaboration, and impact.

Meet Jess Sparks, LPCC, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Support Community Central Ohio

Advice for leaders who want to create a workplace where people can flourish: “One poorly performing employee creates a culture of permission to also perform poorly and reduces your credibility as a leader. Investing in the team and individual needs for development creates individual loyalty, supports retention, and helps to create a positive culture for the entire organization. Transparency and accountability: Share what you can legally and without harm and own when you miss the mark. Disappoint people at a rate they can tolerate and let them know that from the start.”

Practice that has helped you lead with confidence, and how it has influenced your team:

“Servant Leadership and Relational Theory are the leadership and clinical theories that help me lead with confidence. I don't stray from either; they are the backstop for my decision making and how I conduct myself as a leader. I am intrinsically motivated to hit the standard I have set for myself. Awards, recognition, platitudes are not my motivators. Our team sees that and knows I will always do my best to provide a rationale for my decision making, which reduces their anxiety and increases our mutual trust.”

Helping people grow and succeed in their roles: “I help people grow and succeed in their roles through deep listening and checking for understanding. My clarifying questions and deep pattern recognition assist me in creating themes that I can confirm/reform with staff. Once we have a shared understanding, we work together to find opportunities and resources for helping them grow and succeed.”