Growing Together in Leadership: Highlights from Our Breakfast Briefing
On Tuesday, October 28th, we gathered for an inspiring Breakfast Briefing on Growth and Leadership, a morning filled with wisdom, reflection, and encouragement. Leaders and professionals from diverse fields came together to explore what it truly means to grow in leadership and to lead with intention.
Our featured speakers, Lorenzo Cardenas of USI and Maria Shalak from Overton Construction set the tone for the morning with powerful insights and practical wisdom.
Maria Shalak shared not only her thoughtful reflections on leadership but also recommended “The Leadership Challenge” by James Kouzes and Barry Posner a foundational read for anyone seeking to deepen their leadership practice. She also introduced her “Three A’s” memorable framework to help us continue thriving. Her message was a reminder that leadership is not static; it is an ongoing process of awareness, adaptability, and action.
Lorenzo Cardenas followed with a practical tips on daily habits that build strong leaders. His personal list resonated with many in the room:
Stay positive
Make a to-do list the day before
Wake up early
Lead by example
Practice servant leadership
Do the hard things first
Write down what needs to be done
Each point underscored the importance of discipline and mindset in sustaining growth over time. His message was clear—leadership is built through consistency and humility, not just inspiration.
Pam Malfavon also contributed a reminder to “do the hard things first,” echoing a common theme that ran throughout the discussion. Other professionals in attendance shared their own insights, making the morning a exchange of experiences and encouragement.
Ernesto Cuesta reminded everyone of the importance of civic leadership by encouraging attendees to get out and vote,a timely call to action that connected personal growth with social responsibility.
It was a morning of connection, inspiration, and growth, one that reminded us that leadership isn’t a destination, but a continual path of learning and becoming.
