The Year Clarity Became Connection

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Hey Spark Family,

As we step into a new year, I’ve been reflecting on what 2025 taught us - and how those lessons can shape the way we lead in 2026.

This past year reminded me that leadership isn’t about doing more; it’s about being more.
​More clear.
More grounded.
More connected.

We’ve navigated uncertainty, shifting priorities, and constant change. Yet through it all, the leaders who made the biggest impact weren’t the busiest, they were the ones who brought calm, clarity, and connection into every room they entered.

That’s the kind of brilliance that lasts.

The Research Is Clear

Even as work continues to evolve, the data tells the same story:

➡ Gallup found that managers account for 70% of the variance in team engagement - meaning a leader’s mindset and energy directly shape how their people feel and perform.
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➡ Teams led by emotionally intelligent leaders report 31% higher engagement and 25% lower burnout (APA, 2025).
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➡ Deloitte found that organizations that prioritize clarity and connection outperform peers in innovation, retention, and profitability.

When leaders bring focus and humanity into moments of change, they don’t just guide progress - they create belonging.

What I'm Seeing In The Field

This year, I’ve watched incredible leaders step into uncertainty with authenticity and grace.
They didn’t try to have every answer - they created space for real conversations and shared ownership.

They’ve learned that connection isn’t a distraction from performance, it’s what fuels it.
That clarity isn’t just about communication, it’s about care.
And that leadership is less about control and more about cultivating trust.

One leader told me recently, “I used to think leadership was about setting direction. Now I know it’s about creating alignment.”
That one sentence captured the essence of 2025 - and the opportunity ahead in 2026.

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What We Teach Leaders Inside Spark Brilliance

At Spark Brilliance, we believe leadership is both art and system - powered by clarity, energy, and values.

The real growth happens in the in-between moments:
🔹 Between meetings.
🔹 Between decisions.
🔹 Between who you were - and who you’re becoming.

That’s where transformation begins.

As we move into 2026, our focus is simple: help more leaders turn those in-between moments into turning points. Because that’s where lasting impact is created.
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🌟 Your Challenge This Week

Before the year picks up pace, take ten quiet minutes for yourself:
➡ What are you most proud of in how you led last year?
➡ Where did you grow the most - and what do you want to carry forward?
➡ What value or behavior will you amplify in 2026?

You don’t need a new resolution.
You need a renewed intention.

Write it down. Share it with your team. Celebrate what’s already working - and build from there.

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With gratitude,
​Jackie

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P.S. – Before we head into 2026, I’d love to hear your reflection.
What’s one word or intention guiding how you want to lead in the year ahead?
Hit reply and share it with me - I’ll be reading every one with gratitude. 💛

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