Growing Leaders of Worth was founded by Marlene Abbott in 2004 and is located in Rockledge, Florida. It is a woman/veteran owned corporation. Marlene served in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps for over 20 years, holding a variety of leadership positions.
Growing Leaders of Worth provides energetic and encouraging leadership development through motivational speaking, consulting, executive coaching and education and training.
Brevard County, where are we headed?
The most obvious answer: I see us headed to the stars and literally planning for other planets! I see Brevard County as a highly desirable location for people of all ages. I see our rapid growth coming under control as the public takes a more active role. I see a young professional network that actively participates in community events and adds richness to our community. I see NICE people. Nice is an acronym I’ve developed to fit with “Let’s be NICE.” It stands for Nobility, Integrity, Compassion and Energy.
What is the most troubling thing you see happening in the county?
I believe the traffic is our number one issue. With growth comes traffic, and I believe we need to manage both aspects. There are people who want the growth to stop, but at what point do we stop?
To paraphrase a story Zig Ziglar tells: There’s a little boy who is the 11th of 11 children. He asks his mother why she had so many children. She asks him, “Would you have preferred if I quit at 10?”
I’m certainly glad I was able to move to Brevard. I’m sure there are future leaders waiting to move to Brevard. The question should not be where we stop; it needs to be, how we manage the growth and build smartly?
How can we face the issue?
We need to face the issue by getting involved in our local government meetings. We need smart civil engineers with lots of training in city planning! Many of the issues are not just a matter of the timing of the lights and entrances and exits. There are so many issues to traffic management that most people are not aware of. We need experts in on the planning to improve the issue. I think some of the issues may be defused by providing education to the public.
What are you doing about it?
I’m an active leader in the local community. I’m on the Board of Directors of the nearly 1,800+ member Military Officer’s Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Council, am an alumni member and 2004 Graduate of the Leadership Brevard Program and on the planning committee for the adult and youth Leadership Brevard classes. And directly related to this issue I am on the Civic Infrastructure Team of Brevard Tomorrow. I’ve taken a particular interest in the Citizen’s Academy and will be a trained facilitator. In that role, I will provide six-hour training seminars and educate the community about the facts of their county and how they can become an active participant.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about leadership and growing leaders of worth (thus my company name)! We are all leaders in some way; most people tend to think from the military or business aspect. Everyone needs leadership training. I believe we wait too long to expose young adults to leadership styles and techniques. I find it amazing that we don’t have full courses in communication and emotional intelligence. I think there’s a lot of room for all of us to be NICE as well. I’m building a business around my passion!
If you could change one aspect of Brevard, what would it be?
We need to eliminate the retiree/snow bird mentality and see ourselves as attractive county to the younger workers.
What prevents Brevard from being all it could be?
I honestly think it’s the physical length of Brevard County that prevents if from being all it can be!
What makes Brevard special?
The weather. I’ll deal with a hurricane (or two) to live in paradise!
Visit her site for more information at growingleadersofworth.com
Contact: Marlene E. Abbott, Lt Col, USAF, NC (ret)
Post Facto: Growing Leaders of Worth is no longer in operations.