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Jessica Sharp
Organizational Psychologist & Belonging Expert
Jessica Sharp
Organizational Psychologist & Belonging Expert
Biography
Dr. Jessica Sharp, who uses she/her pronouns, is on a mission to change the world through love and belonging. Jessica is a social entrepreneur and sought-after leadership development consultant and speaker.
Dr. Sharp has a Doctorate in Leadership Psychology from William James College and a Master‘s of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. Her doctoral research examined the relationships between workplace belonging and race, organizational identification, and employee well-being. Additionally, Jessica is a certified Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach.
Jessica is the Founder & CEO of Sharp Brain Consulting, where she works with organizational leaders striving to create strong workplace cultures. As a social entrepreneur, Jessica’s professional life and purpose intersect in a way that allows her to do part in making the world a kinder and more loving place. Jessica also works with individuals who want to learn more about self-love, belonging, and community–building.
Working to create what the late great John Lewis called good, necessary trouble, Jessica is committed to creating spaces for the voices of those who have been historically and systematically marginalized. She does this through her work, but also her volunteer service. Jessica serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee & a Board Member of the Association of Junior Leagues International. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals. Before moving to Houston, Jessica volunteered at a high level with several organizations in Greenville, SC, and has received numerous awards for her service and leadership.
When she’s not working, Jessica can be found learning, resting, or spending time with people in her “village”.
Speaker Videos
The Brain on Poverty | TEDxGreenville
Speech Topics
Neuroleadership: Leading with the Brain in Mind
The brain is the root of everything. From our emotions to our thoughts to our behavior, the brain influences everything we do. The best leaders not only understand this but are focused on their brains and the brains of those around them. Neuroleadership focuses on how the brain is involved in our interactions with others. Dr. Sharp utilizes her academic learnings and her long-time passion for the brain to help leaders lead with the brain in mind.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how to improve workplace interactions by learning how the brain engages with others.
- Learn how to create & maintain a sense of safety for yourself and others.
- Learn research-backed tools to deepen trust with those around you.
Results: Audience members will leave with key learnings to begin to shift their perspective to one that prioritizes safety and employee trust. They will learn dependable strategies for transforming the way they interact with others and, ultimately, the way they lead.
Culture of Belonging
There may be no greater human need than the need to belong. Humans have a biological need to feel seen, heard, and valued. Leaders who strive to be effective and successful cannot ignore this fact; the best leaders must actively cultivate a sense of belonging in their workplace. Dr. Sharp combines her doctoral research and her diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting experience to give a dynamic talk about the crucial topic of belonging.
“One of the things that surprised me in my research is just how many people do not feel a sense of belonging at work; across roles, genders, and races, a lot of employees feel isolated at work.”
Key Takeaways:
- Understand organizational elements that cultivate and sustain a sense of belonging among employees.
- Understand the critical relationship between a sense of belonging at work and employee experience & outcomes.
- Learn research-backed tools and techniques for creating a sustainable sense of belonging throughout your organization.
Leading with Love
We are in a crisis - a crisis of loneliness and isolation. The Surgeon General has called loneliness a public health issue and believes we are in a loneliness epidemic. The loneliness and isolation we are experiencing follows us into our interactions with others and influence our daily behavior. When we better understand loneliness and its opposite, love & belonging, we can transform our lives and positively those around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Be inspired to cultivate connections with others and work to combat isolation in your community.
- Begin to get to know your values so you’re clear on how you want to interact with and lead others.
- Understand how to engage with empathy when interacting with yourself and others.
Results: Audience members will leave with an understanding of the loneliness epidemic we are experiencing. They will learn research-derived tools to cultivate connections and improve their leadership effectiveness.
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