Leadership Brevard shares connections that we aren’t even aware of sometimes … the spouse of our morning’s facilitator was one of the school teachers that taught the daughter of one of our Leadership Brevard alumni (which is how we met Brant Menswar of Banding People Together six years ago) and they (Brant and Emily) are also related by marriage to the Ties That Bind group (Steve and Lisa) that leads the ropes course in the afternoon of our session! Who knew?!

All Leadership Brevard class members take the Collaborative Harmony Index©, a Banding People Together assessment tool and learn of their results at our morning session. Once there is a general understanding – with Brant as the conversation leader – of the difference between collaboration and cooperation and where “voice”, “contribution” and “commitment” come in to play, participants identify in smaller groups their collaborative style via music and musical icons. If you have participated in the Leadership Brevard program in the last 5 years, the names of Frank Sinatra, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Buffett will resonate with you. If not … plan to make the Leadership Brevard program part of your community leadership development next year. (Pre-registration is available for the class of 2020 on the LEAD Brevard website).

Here’s what several of the 2019 participants had to say about that session –

"Don’t be something you are not, find others with the strength and collaborate."

Taking that newfound ‘self and other’ knowledge to the field, the Jimmy’s and Bruce’s led the Gaga’s and Frank’s into the unknown of the ‘ropes course’. It’s a challenge by choice course, so each activity is a personal leadership decision to participate or to support those participating or both! Some members chose to challenge themselves – conquering a fear of heights or the fear we share as humans, that of looking ‘silly’ before your peers. Challenges were met and accepted and our photo gallery shows the confidence displayed by members of the group.

Again, testimonial comments from the class say it best:

The “So-Social” team of October which included Mark Boyd, Derrick Cantees, Gina Crane, Valarie James, Joshua Jensen, Sarah Kraum, Bridget Mace, Peter Mannino, Kevin Panik and Ashley Wood created a welcoming atmosphere at the Pizza Gallery and Grill for the class and alumni guests; thanks to LEAD Brevard board members and Leadership Brevard alumni guests who joined the group.

At monthly half-day class sessions, participants sharpen critical skills necessary for effective leadership in their organization. Experienced subject matter experts as facilitators lead sessions and participants will learn and practice the skills of a results-oriented leader.

2018-2019 program year kick off was October 16^th and featured Lisa Rice, CEO/Owner, Every Strength Counts, LLC and a Leadership Brevard alumni class 1997. Lisa is a Gallup-Certified Strengths coach and trainer, bringing that leadership assessment tool (Gallup’s’ StrengthsFinders) to our 35 participants. Class members spent the session learning about their Top 5 Clifton Strengths and how to use those strengths to their advantage, whether as an individual and/or as part of a team.

Completing the Clifton Strengths online talent assessment is a way to:

Discover what you naturally do best

Learn how to develop your greatest talents

Use your customized results to live your best life

For more information, please visit

"I will develop and focus on my strengths to become a more effective leader."

Additional comments included -

Leadership Essentials, powered by LEAD Brevard, is one solution to the community challenges of attraction and retention of our workforce; to find out more, please visit http://www.leadbrevard.org/leadership-essentials/

Nina Salvaggio LB '19, The Viera Company, Community Communications Specialist. Awarded The Rising Star Award at The Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association annual PR Professional and Communicator of the Year Awards Banquet.