✨ Meet a Pearl Peep: Jared Dickinson

For our latest community spotlight, I sat down with Jared, a multifaceted person with a wide variety of experiences and talents. In his work currently, he helps people navigate conflict, strengthen communication, and lead with empathy. His path into coaching wasn’t a straight line from hospitality and consulting to teaching and sales. In our interview, he describes how these varied experiences converged into a purpose-driven and value-aligned career rooted in connection, growth, and authenticity. In this conversation, he shares how he creates spaces where people can be vulnerable and empowered, the values that guide his work, and an invitation to turn knowledge into action.

Dana: How did you get into coaching around conflict, communication, and influence?

Jared: I got into this work in a nonlinear way. I’ve worked in hospitality, consulting, teaching ESL, and worked in sales. The year 2015 was a turning point where things on the outside seemed good, and I was doing good work for companies, but there were some misaligned values, and I went through some burnout. I was able to take time off and was looking for what was next, and was lucky enough to be coached into the work by a mentor and family friend. 

My first day in this work, I was shadowing an event, watching a course unfold. It was amazing just seeing the process and the transformation from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, where people were walking out of the session with a sense of confidence, when in the morning everyone was so hesitant and timid. That first experience showed me that this is powerful work that can create experience for people and give foundational tools. 

Dana: What are some of the ways you support people?

Jared: As a coach, facilitator, and speaker, I support leaders to gain more self-awareness so that they can show up for their teams to create more impact and influence.

I help create environments where people can be vulnerable. I support people to communicate with influence, be more engaging, more inclusive, and have more productive conflict. I emphasize empathy as a key leadership tool by making connections for people, showing how a value like empathy can be real to your work and drive your bottom line as well. Our training programs are experientially based, where people can experience what empathy is and what it is not, what it feels like embodied, and understanding that our success is largely predicated on the listener's perspective.

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Dana: What personal values or experiences fuel your passion for this kind of coaching?

Jared: My values are authenticity, listening through inquiry, honesty, commitment to growth, compassion, service, and inclusion.  

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Dana: What’s a valuable lesson you’ve learned recently — either in your work or personal growth?
Jared: Yes, recently we were fortunate enough to have an au pair to help us care for our kids, but it wasn’t a good fit. There were about 2 months where I needed to be giving feedback and having difficult conversations, but I didn’t– I literally coach people on having these conversations, but I too got caught in my learning. Because I didn’t have those conversations, there was so much stress and my internal experience was really conflicted. There were lots of overlapping pieces, where it was my home life and kids, but the work I do is directly supporting people in exactly the situation I was in. The issue could have likely been resolved in the 1st week, but instead it took 2 months.  This was a really good reminder to trust my experience and be candid.

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Dana: What’s one unique strength or ‘superpower’ you bring to your work? If your clients had to describe your coaching superpower, what do you think they’d say?

Jared: I’m a good listener and use inquiry. Clients would say I listen between the lines to recognize and understand gaps. I help uncover what is already there; often, people already know and have the wisdom, but need to be supported in putting what they know into action.

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Dana: What would you tell someone who just joined this local community?

Jared: The Pearl Works space really speaks for itself. I would encourage people to make space to take advantage of this place and to connect with the community. You get what you put in– the community is created by the individuals. 

I’ve been part of The Pearl Works community for over  3 years. There have been different stages. Right now, I have two kids under 5, so I'm really focused on work and family responsibilities. In the past, I’ve been part of book clubs, being proactive in creating spaces for people to connect, and inviting people to do things. 

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Dana: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you wish more people would ask you?

Jared: I’m thinking a lot these days about what it means to be a multifaceted person; juggling home and family with work and connections. I am also very passionate about the work that I do with at-risk, incarcerated, and formerly incarcerated people.  I love brainstorming ways to further support the organizations I work with, and I love to share stories if that is something that interests you as well!

Through his thoughtful and vulnerable reflections, Jared reminds us that growth often starts with honest conversations, with ourselves and with others. His approach to coaching supports his clients to bring their full selves into their work and communities. Whether he’s supporting clients, mentoring others, or connecting at The Pearl Works, Jared embodies the belief that meaningful change happens when we listen deeply, lead with compassion, and stay committed to learning.

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