Trees

I’m not a poet, nor do I play one on TV. I believe the last time I wrote a poem was in grade school and as far as literary acumen, I send any copy I write to my daughter for review and approval! However, this year I am trying to be more reflective and while walking on my farm these words came to mind. Can’t promise anything like this will ever happen again, but I was pretty pleased with the result. I hope you enjoy.

Trees

From the earliest appearance in the Garden of Eden

To their presence here and now

Standing witness to the passage of time

As sentinels throughout the world.

The scars of their lives born with indifference

Whether carved through the affections of young love,

Emblazoned through the charge of the heavens,

Or broken by the winds or winter storms.

They stand across the ages, beholding life on earth

Experiencing but rarely sharing.

– David Onks, 2022

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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.