David Onks

About David Onks

Many leaders step into bigger roles with strong experience and real confidence. You\'ve led teams, hit tough goals, and helped others grow. That foundation serves you well.But senior positions bring higher visibility and new pressures. Blind spots that stayed hidden before can suddenly show up—especially around communication. You think your message is clear and landing well. Yet as it moves through layers of the organization, it often gets diluted, distorted, or lost entirely. That small gap quickly erodes trust. Teams start feeling uncertain about expectations, who owns decisions, or who can really act. Confusion builds. Effort duplicates. Important issues hide until they become expensive problems.When roles stay fuzzy, the \"why\" behind priorities isn\'t shared fully, or decision rights feel unclear, mistrust grows. People hesitate, disengage, or quietly pick up slack for others. Accountability slips. Morale drops over time.That\'s where I come in with Sparked Professional Coaching.I partner with leaders moving into new senior roles—especially in pharma, biotech, and high-stakes environments—to spot these pitfalls early and fix them fast. We begin with real self-awareness: understanding your own style and how others truly see you. Through candid, multi-source feedback from the people most affected by your leadership, we map any gaps objectively and pinpoint exactly what bridges them.In our neutral, confidential partnership, you can safely test messages, uncover team friction points, and confirm you\'re meeting expectations from above and across. We use thoughtful conversations, practical tools, and steady accountability to build stronger foundations.The payoff? Your teams get clear purpose and direction. Processes align better. Engagement rises. Performance improves measurably—often delivering 5-7x return on the coaching investment through higher retention, better results, and sustainable success.With over 20 years leading in pharma and 7+ years as an executive coach, plus my book The Drive to Lead, I bring an outside perspective that uncovers what internal views often miss. I help prevent burnout while keeping your well-being in focus—so you lead effectively for the long haul.If you\'re navigating a transition and want to accelerate your impact without the common stumbles, let\'s talk. Book a free chemistry call here: here to help you and your team reach peak performance - faster and more sustainably

Experience

1. Founder & CEO

   Sparked Professional Coaching

   Feb 2018 — Present · Raleigh-Durham, NC, US

   Sparked helps you discover the core issues of what is going on underneath and within that keeps you from doing what you desire, accomplishing your dreams and reaching your goals. Coaching people to uncover their natural talent as leaders and individuals, allowing them to deliver on business objectives and goals while fostering a balance in their personal lives.

Education

• East Carolina University

  M.S., Biology

  1984 — 1990

• North Carolina State University

  Business Coaching Certification, Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching

  2017 — 2018