The Drive to Lead

Mastering the Art of Leadership Behind the Wheel

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The Drive to Lead

Mastering the Art of Leadership Behind the Wheel

Embark on a transformative journey through the pages of “The Drive to Lead: Mastering the art of leadership behind the wheel,” where learning to drive in various situations becomes a powerful metaphor for mastering the skills of effective leadership. In this insightful and engaging book, we explore the parallels between learning to drive and cultivating the traits that make exceptional leaders.

Just as a novice driver starts with book knowledge then learns to navigate the road with awareness, adaptability, and a keen sense of direction, leaders must hone their abilities to guide their teams through the twists and turns of challenges. The author draws on real-life experiences, weaving anecdotes from the driver’s seat with leadership principles that resonate in the office.

Advanced Praise for The Drive to Lead

“An approachable and informative guide, The Drive to Lead has helped me become just that – a leader that I always wanted to work for.”

~Tyler Handfinger,
Program Manager Life Sciences,
<1 year managerial experience

“Highly recommend this book for both new and seasoned leaders.  It provides the detailed fundamentals and a roadmap for a leader to get grounded to help with planning and setting a vision for their team effectively and efficiently.”

~Angela Juul,
Senior Director Pharma,
10+ years managerial experience


“The dynamic and action-oriented approach of The Drive to Lead lays a solid foundation for organizations seeking to establish a leadership development program. With its proven lessons applicable across all levels of leadership, this book is an invaluable resource for all leaders!”

~Jeff Temple,
Leadership Consultant,
10 years management experience

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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.