We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessper Maquindang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jessper thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

“Jessper, the world needs more of that right now!”

That was the feedback I received when I shared with others an idea I had in mind. During the recent pandemic, there were many conversations about the future of work in the so-called “new normal”. How will it affect leadership? How will it affect teamwork? How will it affect our work processes? Throughout these conversations, there was one theme that boldly stood out: The sense of belonging. During the pandemic, employees had been reporting increasing levels of isolation and decreasing levels of meaningful connection. With my experience in team-building and collaboration, this was the perfect opportunity to restore that sense of belonging and community in the workplace.

Since the early days of my career, I had understood the value and impact that a great company culture can have in the workplace. When people feel connected and inspired, amazing things can happen! Reflecting back to when I was younger, I had always known that I wanted to enter the field of consulting sometime in the future, whether it was 10, 20, or 30 years from now. I knew I was eventually going to bring more leadership development opportunities into the world. But with the shifts and changes in recent years, the desire for a better company culture is more stronger than ever! I began sharing with others my ideas for team-building and employee engagement. I knew I could help organizations restore belonging, community, and purpose.

That’s when I heard the call to action: “Jessper, the world needs more of that right now!”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello everyone! I’m Jessper Maquindang, company culture consultant, executive coach, and leadership speaker. I grew up in Southern California and I have a passion for personal growth and professional development. I’ve been featured as a guest on top podcast shows, including the Unstoppable Mindset Podcast with Michael Hingson, Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saunders, and Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. I graduated with an Executive Masters Degree in Leadership from the University of Southern California, where I had gained a deeper understanding of various leadership styles and their impact on organizational culture. With experience in HR functions and processes throughout my career, I’ve obtained my certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

I love to travel – I’ve visited all 50 States across America. I had accomplished this travel goal upon reaching Alaska in June 2024. I’ve also discovered that traveling is an excellent way to develop your leadership skills because it gives you opportunities to adapt to new situations and interact with diverse cultures.

I’ve been a volunteer with the American Red Cross for over a decade, where I’ve contributed over 500 volunteer hours to the nonprofit humanitarian organization. I’ve served on the board for various nonprofit organizations, including a local Toastmasters club, JCI USA (Junior Chamber International), and the Southern California chapter of the National Speakers Association. As a community leader, I have received the Santa Clarita Valley’s 40 Under Forty Award.

➔ How did you get into your field?

In a sense, I grew up in the world of leadership development. At a young age, I’ve had a passion for reading books in personal growth and career success. Over the years, I’ve enrolled in many leadership courses and programs. Throughout these programs, I had taken many assessments to learn more about my leadership style, including DISC, StrengthsFinder, Kolbe Index, Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), Behavioral Elements, and many more. During this journey, I was inspired to return to the academic world, pursuing an Executive Masters degree in Leadership. After graduating and gaining more work experience in the realm of leadership, I’ve gathered the best practices that I’ve learned from the field and developed my own coaching and consulting practice to help other leaders and managers build more effective teams.

➔ What type of services do you provide?

I provide a wide array of resources that empower the human side of organizations:
Company culture consulting services to help identify the systems, structures, technology, skills and qualities that need to be re-aligned with the organization’s mission and purpose; team-building exercises that provide opportunities for team members to connect with one another; leadership workshops to help participants expand their personal and professional growth; leadership development assessments to help participants gain a better understanding of their leadership styles and learn how to leverage their strengths; executive coaching to help leaders identify their goals for personal and professional success, as well as improve their performance, leadership, and management skills. Overall, I have the tools and resources to help organizations build more effective company cultures.

➔ What problems do you solve for your clients?

In essence, I specialize in helping organizations fix problems and overcome challenges that are associated with having a poor or unproductive company culture. These problems can include turnover, employee disengagement, poor communication, conflict, burnout, and lack of organizational purpose, among others. From a financial perspective, these issues can have devastating effects on a company’s bottom line. From a social perspective, these issues can increase the level of isolation that staff members may face. From a psychological perspective, these issues can raise the level of fear and distrust among team members. When left unattended, these issues can prevent an organization from reaching its full potential. But when these issues are intentionally addressed, an organization can attract top talent and remain competitive in its industry. My experience and background in leadership growth can help leaders and managers unlock that potential for their organizations.

➔ What do you think sets you apart from others?

I strive to keep my team-building activities relevant to the workplace. For example, there’s no need for “trust falls” because there’s no reason that employees should be falling over at the office. Instead, to be more impactful, my work is based on inquiry-based activities that open up conversation among team members. The leadership assessments that I provide are based on research in the field. Yes, it can be fun to take random internet quizzes that help you understand how your favorite breakfast item or TV show describes your personality, but they’re not based on extensive data or behavioral studies. As a result, I provide assessments with real-world applications that can foster growth and improve your performance as a leader. Overall, the resourcefulness of the services and tools that I provide covers a broad range of needs in building a more effective company culture, from one-on-one coaching to 360-degree evaluations, and a wide range of tools in between.

➔ What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of completing significant milestones, such as running ultra-marathons (races with distances longer than the standard 26.2-mile marathon), contributing over 500 volunteer hours to the American Red Cross, and visiting all 50 states across America. These accomplishments have been powerful reminders that you can achieve major goals when you stay focused and dedicated.

➔ What are the main things you want prospective clients to know about you?

The first thing I want prospective clients to know about me is my “Why”. My “Why” is my passion for continuous improvement. I’m always looking for ways to improve projects, processes, ideas, tasks, programs, you name it. When I get the opportunity to work with my clients, you will notice a genuine desire to help you reach new heights. The second thing I want others to know about me is my enthusiasm for gathering new ideas. I enjoy learning from the diverse insights, viewpoints, and perspectives of other people. The third thing I want prospective clients to know about me is my appreciation for purpose-driven leadership and leadership-driven purpose. The best leaders always remind us of the bigger picture of our goals and the greatness we’re capable of achieving!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The story I would like to share comes from my personal life, but I use those lessons to inform my work as a coach and consultant. At a young age, I was diagnosed with asthma. As a result, people had placed limits on how I could live my life, including my own family. I was always shielded away from pet fur and kept indoors away from pollen or other allergens. As I grew older, I realized I didn’t want those limits to define me. I was always inspired by major goals, especially those of marathon runners. I remember telling myself I was capable of running 26.2 miles, and I was determined to make it happen. After months of training, taking it step by step, I felt a great sense of joy and relief when I finally reached the finish line of my first marathon. In spite of growing up with asthma, I’ve continued to push forward.

I use my personal story as a powerful reminder that you can accomplish a major goal when you stay focused and dedicated.

Any advice for managing a team?

As a company culture consultant, I’ve developed a framework called “The Core 4 Mentor”, which helps teams perform at their best. The core four areas spell out “LIFE”: Listen, Innovate, Focus, and Encourage.

• Listen: Provide the space and opportunity for team members to share their insights and perspectives.
• Innovate: Stimulate creativity in all aspects of planning and decision-making.
• Focus: Champion your team’s mission, vision, and purpose.
• Encourage: Support each team member’s ability to reach new heights.

Equally important, these four areas are built on the foundation of Mentorship. Embracing the mindset of a nurturing mentor, an effective company culture supports the continual growth and development of all team members.

Overall, in managing a team and maintaining high morale, make sure everyone has a voice. Be intentional about reaching out to your team members and listening to what they have to share. In addition, have meaningful one-on-one conversations, where you’re checking in, not just to follow up on progress with tasks, but to follow up on how your team members are doing personally and to learn more about how they want to make a meaningful difference in your organization. All in all, breathe LIFE into your organization!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.famileadconsulting.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmaquindang
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FamiLEADManagementConsulting
• Other: https://about.me/jessper

Image Credits

Ling Luo, National Speakers Association, Southern California Chapter; Danielle Spires, AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts