PNºB Episode 38

Summary

This podcast episode features an interview with Wendy Spencer, President and CEO of Leadership Florida. She discusses the organization's mission to educate leaders about Florida's issues and provide leadership development. Spencer highlights the diverse recruitment process ("GROG") and the various programs offered, including those for CEOs, young leaders, and educators. She also shares insights from her extensive career in public service, emphasizing authenticity, active listening, and passion as key leadership traits. The conversation touches on the evolving nature of Leadership Florida to serve retired members and its focus on making Florida more resilient.

Key topics

• Tampa General Hospital and USF Health Partnership: They are expanding academic medicine to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

• Leadership Florida Overview:

  • Mission: Educate leaders about Florida's sectors and issues (80%) and provide leadership development (20%).

  • Application Process: Invitation-based, requiring application. Intent to Apply form on leadershipflorida.org provides application alerts and training information. Applications are accepted from February 4th to March 4th.

  • Programs:

    • Cornerstone: For CEOs/C-suite individuals, 40+ years old (Noel Martinez and Wendy Spencer are graduates).

    • Connect: For managers/leaders, 25-39 years old.

    • Education: For individuals in the education sector (no age limit, title-based), focuses solely on education issues. Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Florida Department of Education, and Helios Education Foundation.

    • Executive: Invitation-only for major influencers/executives, held every three years for a weekend.

  • Program Structure: Combines lectures, experiences (e.g., controlled burns, Navy base simulations, historical boat tours), bonding activities (bowling, karaoke, Top Golf), and personal interaction.

  • Diversity (GROG):

    • Gender: Aims for 50/50 split.

    • Race: Reflects Florida's demographic makeup.

    • Occupation: Diverse range of professions (agriculture, judicial, elected officials, private sector, healthcare, legal, insurance, entrepreneurs, etc.).

    • Geography: Balances representation across Florida's nine regions based on population.

  • Impact/Success Stories: Fosters trust and collaboration, leading to successful partnerships and community initiatives (e.g., utility companies, foster care youth college access).

  • Evolution:

    • Expansion from one class program to four.

    • Increased focus on younger leaders and educators.

    • Shift from "leadership for career" to "leadership for life," catering to retired members with meaningful experiences, lifelong learning, and continued connections (e.g., international and state-side trips).

    • Curriculum adapts to current Florida issues (e.g., sea-level rise, resiliency).

• Wendy Spencer's Background and Leadership Philosophy:

  • Public Service Career: Worked for presidents (Bush, Obama) and governors (Jeb Bush, Rick Scott), leading initiatives like the Corporation for National Community Service (AmeriCorps, Vista, Senior Corps, etc.) and Florida's volunteerism commission.

  • Inspiration: Small-town upbringing emphasizing service and community care.

  • Career Approach: Focus on working hard at current opportunities, setting goals, and excelling in the present, which led to subsequent opportunities.

  • Mentors/Influences: Mrs. Lynn Stowers (writing), "Wink" (humor), and observing various leaders like Jeb Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

  • Key Leadership Skills:

    • Authenticity: Being true to oneself.

    • Active Listening: Valuing others' input and understanding different perspectives.

    • Meaningful Contribution: Speaking when there's something valuable to add.

    • Interpersonal Connection: Asking questions, finding common ground, bonding to build trust and collaboration.

  • Handling Setbacks: Admitting mistakes, apologizing, learning from errors, and being direct with teammates.

  • Most Rewarding Part of Role: The emotional connections and transformations witnessed on the first and last days of class programs.

  • Future Initiatives: Prioritizing core mission; potential focus on strengthening Florida's resilience given recent storm experiences, but without deviating from core mission.

  • Legacy: To be remembered as passionate, knowledgeable, and an effective leader and spokesperson for Florida, ensuring both strong class programs and meaningful opportunities for members post-graduation.