Author: john@avisollc.com

Transitions – Part II: Finding Which Direction Is Right For You

Have you ever thought to yourself, in a career sense, why am I doing what I’m doing? Maybe you’re at a point in your career to step back and think. In this follow-up to What Do I Want To Be When I grow Up, you’ll take your initial thoughts, build your roadmap, and set your direction.

Transitions – Part I: What do I want to be when I grow up?

Eisenhower had a variation on a Moltke quote that is appropriate to this blog: “In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable.” Do you have a plan, a direction that will guide and drive your satisfaction and success? You don’t have to go it alone, a professional coach can help you navigate and reflect.

Motivation – Getting You and Your Team Moving the Same Direction

Have you ever been part of a team where everyone feels they’re communicating, but no one really understands? If an image of Abbott and Costello’s ‘Who’s on First’ routine pops into your mind, this post can help motivate and get the team moving the right direction.

Difficult Conversations – Part I: Start with you

The majority of us avoid difficult conversations – and this is recognized by those around us. Hopefully, this series will give you the confidence to reflect on the situation and then do something about it.

Why do I need a professional coach?

Coaches provide an impartial, safe environment that challenges you to expand your thinking and become aware of your ‘presence’. If you are going through a transition, or have received feedback that shows a behavior you’d like to change, it may be time to consider an executive or leadership coach

Enter your name and phone number below and we will call you back as soon as possible

David L. Onks

I’ve worked with leaders who were doing everything right – hitting goals, leading teams, and building strong careers – but still struggling to create alignment, clarity, and momentum across their organizations.

At the senior level, leadership challenges change. They’re no longer about effort or capability. They’re about communication, influence, and visibility.

 

What I’ve seen is this:

  • Leaders often believe they’re being clear – but their message doesn’t always land the way they expect.
  • Influence becomes more complex, especially across teams where there’s no direct authority.
Small gaps – left unaddressed – can quietly grow into larger issues that impact performance and trust.

 

That’s where focused, objective support makes a difference.

 

I work alongside leaders in real time – helping them navigate the situations they’re actually facing.

  • Preparing for high-stakes conversations
  • Working through team friction
  • Aligning across functions
  • Making decisions with broader impact

We combine candid feedback, structured assessment, and practical coaching to create awareness and drive action.

With more than 500 hours of coaching experience, I’ve worked with leaders across different roles and organizations to:

  • Improve communication and clarity
  • Strengthen influence across teams
  • Build accountability
  • Drive measurable business outcomes

 

Why Sparked?

Sparked was built on a simple idea:

Leaders grow faster when they have a trusted partner who provides honest feedback, real perspective, and consistent accountability.

 

This isn’t about adding more to your plate. 

 

It’s about helping you lead more effectively with the time and responsibility you already have.

 

The goal is straigtforward:

Help you strengthen your team, improve results, and lead with clarity and confidence – especially when it matters most.

Schedule a Session
Close