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Jeanne Sparrow, a seven-time Emmy award-winning entertainment personality and communications expert, spoke to Harper students about leadership on February 4th. Held at Harper’s Wojcik Conference Center, the two-hour event was titled “Jeanne Sparrow: The Power of Fearless Authenticity.“

The event drew over 100 attendees, with many students striving to learn what Sparrow wanted to teach.

“Fearlessness takes courage to go against what other people are saying,” Sparrow elaborated in an interview with the Harbinger. “While authenticity is not a state of being, but an awareness that only becomes power when you use that to serve other people.” 

From co-hosting a daily talk show with entertainment star Steve Harvey to acting in ads for companies such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, Sparrow understands the unique challenges of selling her authenticity. Her message was for today’s college students who face challenges as leaders. 

During her talk, Sparrow offered personal lessons and tips she gained throughout her career.  She focused on three main ideas for success: Live it- the need to ask yourself questions you might not be comfortable with; Tell it- bringing more awareness and intention to what you say; Sell it- convincing people of your worth and how you can serve them.

“Harper has a really engaged student population that seems committed to self-improvement and exploring the questions that they have about life,” Sparrow said after answering questions during the Q&A session. “I feel like you guys were engaged and engaging, asking really good questions; you can tell how people think by the way they ask questions. And, you guys asked some really amazing questions, so I love that.”

Sparrow mingled, took photos, and signed autographs for audience members during a catered reception that followed, hosted by Student Engagement, Workforce Solutions, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Alumni Relations

For many students who interviewed with the Harbinger, Sparrow’s message about authenticity resonated and served both as inspiration and a call to engage in deeper conversations.

 Sophomore El Michelsen, who attended the event, found wisdom in Sparrow’s definition and work. 

“I think it was important how she defined authenticity because there are a lot of people using that word nowadays,” Michelsen said. “She [Sparrow] explained that authenticity is something you’re doing, not just showing up as yourself.” 

While Sparrow’s work offered inspiration, her accomplishments gave others the courage to act, like sophomore Valerie Ortega, who said this event allowed her to learn from an industry winner. 

“I learned that I have to focus on myself and on the things I like to do,” Ortega said. “I need to focus on what I’m actually good at so that I can sell it to others, perfect my skills, and appeal to others.”

Students also received a complimentary copy of Sparrow’s book,  Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally.