Jackie Insinger - Spark Brilliance Spark Memos
Your weekly boost of practical leadership wisdom - rooted in neuroscience, backed by data, and crafted for real-world results. Each memo offers a spark of insight to help you lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose - especially when things get messy.
The Gratitude Multiplier: Leading Through Appreciation
The Gratitude Multiplier: Leading Through Appreciation Hey Spark Family, This Thanksgiving, I’ve been reflecting on how gratitude isn’t just something we feel - it’s something we practice.And the most effective leaders I know don’t just express gratitude occasionally - they embed it into the way they lead. Because gratitude, when practiced intentionally, becomes a multiplier.It strengthens relationships. It builds trust. And it reminds teams - in the middle of deadlines, change, and stress -...
The Missing System in Business: Leadership
The Missing System in Business: Leadership Hey Spark Family, We’ve built systems for everything - operations, tech, finance, marketing.But the one thing that holds them all together?Still runs on instinct. Leadership is the only system most organizations leave to chance. We invest millions in strategy and transformation, yet most leaders are still operating from personality, habit, or outdated playbooks. That’s why execution often breaks down - not because the plan is flawed, but because the...
The Real Cost of a Meeting
The Real Cost of a Meeting Hey Spark Family, When was the last time you left a meeting thinking, “That was an excellent use of my time”? If you had to pause to think about it, you’re not alone. Meetings have exploded - up 252% since 2020, according to Microsoft research. And yet, most leaders haven’t stopped to ask the simplest question: “Is this the highest-impact use of my minutes?” For many, the answer is no. We’ve normalized meeting inflation - “standing” check-ins that no one questions...
Leadership Scarcity Isn’t About Headcount - It’s About Depth
Leadership Scarcity Isn’t About Headcount - It’s About Depth Hey Spark Family, Everywhere I turn, organizations are asking the same question:“Where are all the ready leaders?” It’s not that companies don’t have people - they do.They have high performers, rising stars, ambitious talent at every level. The real problem isn’t a lack of headcount.It’s a lack of depth. Too many leaders are promoted faster than they’re prepared.Too many managers are stretched thinner than they can sustain.And too...
Human Connection: The Advantage AI Will Never Have
Human Connection: The Advantage AI Will Never Have Hey Spark Family, We’re leading in a moment where technology can do almost anything - write code, create content, analyze data, even simulate empathy. But as leaders, we know something algorithms can’t replicate: the human connection that fuels trust, belonging, and brilliance. Because no matter how fast technology advances, people don’t thrive on automation... they thrive on authentic connection. And right now, that’s exactly what’s missing...
Clarity Is the Leadership Opportunity of 2025
Clarity Is the Leadership Opportunity of 2025 Hey Spark Family, In nearly every leadership conversation I’ve had this year, one theme keeps coming up: the noise. Leaders are navigating more messages, meetings, and mixed priorities than ever before. Teams are exhausted by change, overwhelmed by information, and craving one thing above all else - clarity. Because clarity isn’t just a communication skill. It’s a leadership strategy. When people understand what’s expected of them, where they’re...
You Can’t Hold Others Accountable When You’re Exhausted
You Can’t Hold Others Accountable When You’re Exhausted Hey Spark Family, You can feel it the moment you walk into a meeting... the energy in the room tells you everything. Some teams buzz with focus and optimism. Others feel tense before the first word is spoken. That difference isn’t luck. It’s leadership. Because in times of exhaustion, people look to their leaders not just for answers, but for energy. And that’s where accountability begins. When you’re burned out, it’s easy to confuse...
Your Strategy Changed. Did Your People?
Your Strategy Changed. Did Your People? Hey Spark Family, Organizations everywhere are in motion. Shifting markets. Rising expectations. Fresh challenges and opportunities. Every business is being called to adapt - not just to a new kind of customer, but to a new kind of workforce, and a new kind of future. For some, that means preparing for an M&A or IPO. For others, it’s going digital, launching major new products, or building out a true omnichannel business. Whatever the scenario, one...
Your Leadership Bench Might Be Breaking
Your Leadership Bench Might Be Breaking Hey Spark Family, Succession planning and leadership pipelines are on every agenda right now. And for good reason - developing future leaders is one of the most critical priorities for any organization. But here’s what I keep seeing: in the rush to build bench strength, many companies are exhausting the very people they’re trying to prepare. High-potential employees get overloaded with stretch assignments on top of their full workload. Instead of...
Anxiety Is Contagious. So Is Calm.
Anxiety Is Contagious. So Is Calm. Hey Spark Family, Lately, I’ve been hearing the same thing from leaders and teams alike: people are anxious. Anxious about the economy. About job security. About technology. About what’s next. And anxiety doesn’t just sit quietly inside one person. It spreads. When one person is on edge, that energy ripples through a team. The good news? Calm spreads too. Leaders have more influence than they realize in shaping whether anxiety spirals or steadies. The...
Your weekly boost of practical leadership wisdom - rooted in neuroscience, backed by data, and crafted for real-world results. Each memo offers a spark of insight to help you lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose - especially when things get messy.