Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak … Real Leaders Want to Hear It
Employee silence is a strong symptom of organizational dysfunction. Healthy, robust, and respectful discussion produces the best ideas and solves problems. You need to seek out and hear all ideas and competing views. Silence and false consensus are the enemies of teamwork, success, and innovation.
Leaders must cultivate and sustain a culture where everyone can raise their hand and say:
“I made a mistake.”
“I have a new idea.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“I need help.”
“I can help you.”
Everyone has to feel free and safe to speak. We must debate ideas, not attack people. Aim at the arguments not the person. Yes, you may hear some unworkable or less valuable ideas, but leaders will lose out on many productive suggestions without the right climate at work. As Steve Jobs once said, “We have wonderful debates here because the best ideas have to win.”
Few things will kill you as a leader like being surrounded by “yes” people. The job of your team is to tell you the truth. Your job is to ask and listen. Their role is not to affirm your ego. You need to know when you are in error (Abrashoff, 2002).
Attract, recruit, reward, retain, and promote those who tell you the truth. As Gregory Davis says, “If you agree with everything I say, I don’t need you.” The yes person cares about their career not yours. Poor leaders attract and retain yes people.
Good leaders don’t have all the answers and we know it. We just ask a lot of good questions. Ask and then actively listen. Everyone inside and outside the company has to be heard. This must be the culture you lead.
Research confirms the vast majority of the best ideas come from outside senior management.
Get out of the office, be an active listener, and create and sustain discussion. You never know from whom the next best idea will originate. Winning ideas know no title, tenure, position, or rank. On the U.S.S. Benfold, it was a twenty-one-year-old sailor who saved the United States Navy tens of millions of dollars a year and thousands of man hours with a simple suggestion to avoid having to repaint the entire fleet every ten months (Abrashoff, 2002).
More minds mean fewer errors, better reasoning, and greater successes. The worst performing companies and countries are where one supreme leader does all the thinking.
Never assume you know the answers. Assume you do not. If logic, evidence, and ethics validate your original idea, then you have lost nothing by having the discussion. If you were wrong and the discussion reveals it, you have been spared a potential crisis or costly mistake. Never fear the discussion. If you do and your idea is so bad it won’t survive scrutiny by others, that should tell you something.
Weak leaders love to hear themselves talk. Strong leaders love to hear from others.
Sources: Abrashoff, 2002; Blanchard, 2011; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2001; Grant, 2017; Kotter, 2012; Lencioni, 2012; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005.
Joseph C. Saviak, Ph.D., J.D., M.A., M.S.
City of Palm Coast Receives Clean Audit for Fiscal Year 2025
Palm Coast, FL – The City of Palm Coast has successfully completed its annual financial audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The independent audit was conducted by Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC and presented to the Palm Coast City Council during the March 17, 2026, City Council Business Meeting.
The audit included a comprehensive review of the City’s financial statements, internal processes, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Auditors issued an unmodified, or “clean,” opinion, indicating that the City’s financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The review also included testing of internal controls, compliance requirements, and financial reporting processes. Auditors reported no material weaknesses, no findings, and no issues related to the City’s use of federal or state funding.
As part of the audit, Mauldin & Jenkins conducted a Single Audit due to the City receiving approximately $9.5 million in federal awards and $10.1 million in state financial assistance during the fiscal year. The audit examined three major programs and confirmed that the funds were used appropriately and in compliance with applicable guidelines.
Auditors also noted that the City implemented Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 101 related to compensated absences during the fiscal year. The City’s accounting policies and financial reporting practices were found to be appropriate and consistent with established standards.
In addition to maintaining strong financial practices, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has recognized the City of Palm Coast for its continued excellence in financial reporting. The City has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for twenty-four consecutive years and expects to receive the award again for the fiscal year 2025 report.
Palm Coast has also earned the GFOA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for twelve consecutive years and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for twenty-two consecutive years, reflecting the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability.
To further support transparency, the City maintains a Finance Transparency Dashboard, allowing residents and stakeholders to explore the City’s financial information in an easy-to-understand format. The dashboard provides insight into revenue sources, expenditures, and budget allocations, with historical data dating back to fiscal year 2023 and updates provided weekly.
The City of Palm Coast remains committed to responsible financial management and transparent reporting to residents. The successful completion of the annual audit reflects the City’s dedication to maintaining strong financial oversight and accountability.
All financial reports and documents, including the current financial audit reports, are available on the city’s website: palmcoast.gov/finance/reports-and-documents
Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.
FWC Shares Tips to Protect Nesting Sea Turtles
Sea turtle nesting season has begun and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding residents and visitors how they can help protect vulnerable nesting and hatchling sea turtles while enjoying Florida’s coastal areas.
Because our state’s shorelines provide important nesting habitat for several species of threatened and endangered sea turtles, beachgoers can have a significant impact on the success of this year’s nesting season. Sea turtles typically return to nest in March along Florida’s southeast Atlantic coast from Brevard County south to Broward County, while nesting begins on the Gulf Coast and north Florida beaches in April or May.
There are easy steps people can take to help protect nesting sea turtles, including keeping beaches clean and dark, giving them space, and minimizing disturbances.
Lights out: Lights on or near the beach can misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean and toward potential danger. To prevent this, only use flashlights or cellphones on the beach at night when necessary. Anyone living along or visiting Florida beaches can do their part by turning off porch, parking or deck lights when not in use and closing curtains after dark to avoid disorienting nesting and hatchling sea turtles. If lighting is still visible from the beach, be sure it is long wavelength, mounted low and shielded.
Admire from afar: While it can be exciting to witness sea turtles on the beach, getting too close (50 feet or less) to nesting sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they complete the nesting process. If an animal changes its behavior, you’re likely too close. Remember, it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests or eggs, or to handle hatchlings.
Clear the way at the end of the day: Female sea turtles expend large amounts of energy crawling out of the surf and far enough up the beach to dig and lay nests in spots that are less vulnerable to the tides. Obstacles on the beach can entrap and prevent them from nesting as they crawl across the sand to lay their eggs. Trash, holes in the sand and other obstacles can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water once they emerge from their nest. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that prey on sea turtle hatchlings. Litter on beaches can entangle sea turtles, birds and other wildlife.
What can you do to help? Properly stash or recycle all trash, fill in human-made holes in the sand, and remove all beach toys, gear and furniture from the sand before sunset. Fishing line can be deadly to sea turtles, waterbirds and other wildlife, so be sure to dispose of it properly. To find a monofilament recycling station near you, visit mrrp.MyFWC.com .
For more information about nesting sea turtles and how you can help, visit MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle or see the FWC’s “Be a Beach Hero” brochure. Other ways to help sea turtles include reporting those that are sick, injured, entangled or dead to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Palm Coast City Council Approves Temporary Utility Operations Facilities
Palm Coast, FL – At its March 17 Business Meeting, the Palm Coast City Council approved the purchase of temporary modular facilities to house Utility Operations staff after the City vacated the building at 2 Utility Drive due to significant maintenance issues.
The building at 2 Utility Drive, constructed in 1976, is one of the oldest buildings in Palm Coast. It currently supports approximately 100 Utility personnel, including about 70 field staff who rely on the location for locker rooms and operational support while serving residents throughout the city.
Over time, the aging facility has experienced increasing maintenance problems, including roof leaks, plumbing failures in restrooms and locker rooms, HVAC system issues, fire line leaks, nuisance pests, and interior finishes that have reached the end of their serviceable life. City staff determined the building was no longer suitable for uninterrupted administrative and operational work activities and vacated the facility approximately four weeks ago.
Originally, staff proposed leasing temporary modular buildings for the site while the City continues work on the future Maintenance Operations Complex (MOC). However, during the March 17 meeting, Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri proposed purchasing the modular structures instead of leasing them. The City Council supported the idea, recognizing the long-term value the buildings could provide to the community.
City Council approved a total project budget of $2.5 million to purchase the temporary facilities and complete the necessary site modifications.
By purchasing the modular buildings rather than leasing them, the City will be able to repurpose the structures in the future once the Maintenance Operations Complex is complete. Potential future uses include administrative space for the City’s planned animal shelter and other municipal operations.
The modular facilities will be installed at the existing Utility Operations site at 2 Utility Drive, allowing staff to continue operating from a central location while the new Maintenance Operations Complex is developed.
Once the Maintenance Operations Complex is complete and Utility staff relocate, the 2 Utility Drive property will become available for potential redevelopment.
Located in a prime area within an industrial park, the property is currently zoned Public and Semi-Public (PSP) for government use but could be rezoned in the future to allow private business or industrial development. This could create an opportunity for the City to market the property and generate future revenue while supporting economic growth.
City Council emphasized the need for Utility employees to have safe and functional workspaces while also maximizing long-term value for the community.
Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review.
SCORE Workshop: Grow Your Business Using YouTube – Ads, Influencers, and Building an Owned Audience
Grow Your Business Using YouTube: Ads, Influencers, and Building an Owned Audience
March 25th @ 10:00 am Fee: $10
Location: Online Workshop
This Live Online Workshop is designed to help small businesses get the most out of YouTube.
Key areas to be covered:
Why YouTube Matters for Small Businesses
How to Win on YouTube
Mistakes to Avoid
Creating your own 30 Day Action Plan for Starting on YouTube
Learn More and Registration >>
Zachary Bennett: About Our Instructor
B. Zachary Bennett, the principal behind Reformation Productions, a full service marketing agency located in Gwinnett county, comes with a 20+ year career in marketing and advertising, working to grow major companies like Bank of America, The Limited, Vectren Corporation, TruGreen-ChemLawn, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Campbell’s Foods, Gwinnett Medical Center, Victoria’s Secret, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Home Depot, BP, and more.
He has dedicated his time and efforts to educate small business professionals on the way the Straight Line Marketing process has been perfected by Fortune 500 companies and how to apply it to their companies in ways they can afford.
A Tribute to the Legends Of Motown Takes Centerstage March 19
Step into the rhythm and soul of a legendary era with “A Tribute Celebrating the Legends of Motown,” a captivating show that honors the iconic sounds of Motown’s male groups. This tribute revives the magic that defined a generation and continues to inspire music lovers today.
With a blend of nostalgia and energetic performances, our talented cast from Las Vegas brings to life the timeless classics and heartfelt ballads that made Motown a cornerstone of American music. Experience the stories behind the hits, the unforgettable choreography, and the rich history of the Motown label as we pay homage to the artists who shaped the soundtrack of our lives.
Join us on this musical journey, where each note and lyric reflects the spirit of resilience, love, and unity that Motown embodies. Get ready to sing, dance, and celebrate the legends who turned music into a movement!
If You Go
When: Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7 PM
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center
5500 Hwy 100, Palm Coast, FL
Tickets: www.FlaglerEntertainment.com
Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak … What You Don’t Know
A problem I observed in academia was individuals who had one specific area of expertise automatically assuming they were definitively qualified to conclusively comment on important subjects far outside their knowledge base. It’s a Ph.D. in a specific subject not automatic confirmation that you know everything about everything.
I sat in faculty meetings as individuals with doctoral degrees in philosophy or literature felt supremely confident and almost compelled to opine on key issues in leadership and management despite having zero experience in these subjects. I once watched a person who had managed to talk a university out of a Ph.D. based on a dissertation concerning a specific director of comedic films lecture individuals with tremendous experience academically and professionally about a specific proposed major about which he knew nothing. It was painful to watch and even worse to have to listen to it since he was in charge.
There is absolutely no question we can learn new ways to think about problems and solutions from others outside our profession and discipline. Indeed, this approach was a key driver of the Renaissance which involved combining talented experts from diverse fields to consider different questions.
Multi-disciplinary teams bring plenty of measurable benefits especially when the issue crosses professions, departments, or agencies. However, the wrong behavior I witnessed in academia is not driven by actual competence or a desire to assist but just plain arrogance. Yes, a subject matter expert with decades of success can be wrong – it happens all the time. However, the odds of you being right when you have never had a single accomplishment in a specific industry or profession or field of study and have not done any real research on the topic are next to zero. Once again, it is our character problems (e.g., ego, a compulsion for control, a lack of self-awareness) which create difficulties within organizations.
I often like to say, “Only when I knew it all could I learn anything” referring to the person who finally figures out how much they do not know. Leaders need to be highly intellectually curious and not assume they have the answers. They need to be rigorous thinkers applying compelling logic to sound evidence. They need to excel at asking the right questions. Surround yourself with teammates who have knowledge and skills you lack but need. Let others talk and ask good questions. Take advantage of times to have robust but civil discussions and hear all ideas and competing viewpoints. Don’t voice your perspective until everyone else has spoken (Sinek).
The most collaborative companies capitalizing on all the diversity of talent they have are consistently the most successful. The leader who assumes they know it all is certain to fail. It’s all about the logic and evidence and objective truth not you. The bottom line is your title, position, degree, resume, or tenure does not certify you as an expert on everything. Effective leaders know this to be true.
Sources: Abrashoff, 2002; Blanchard, 2011; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2001; Grant, 2017; Kotter, 2012; Lencioni, 2012; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005.
#LeadershipLessonswithDrSaviak
Insight Chiropractic to Host Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting on March 19
Insight Chiropractic will celebrate its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. The community is invited to join the team for an afternoon of celebration as the clinic hosts its official ribbon-cutting in Ormond Beach. The celebration will take place at Insight Chiropractic’s office located at 290 Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite a-2.
Built with intention and shaped by countless hours of hard work, the Insight Chiropractic office was designed to be a place where patients feel genuinely cared for.
“We’ve poured our hearts into creating the best chiropractic office we can, and we’re just getting started,” said Dr. Michael D. Cox, owner and lead chiropractor at Insight Chiropractic. “We appreciate the support we’ve received and welcome the community to celebrate with us,” he added.
Lindsey Jarmakowicz added, “This grand opening is a celebration of the people who supported us to get to where we are — and the patients and neighbors we’re honored to serve.”
Insight Chiropractic provides compassionate, evidence-based chiropractic and natural health care with a focus on patient outcomes. Services include full-spine chiropractic, low-force chiropractic, upper cervical chiropractic, and extremity/extra-spinal adjusting, along with complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, cold laser, spinal decompression, hot water massage, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Insight Chiropractic is located at 290 Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite a-2, Ormond Beach. They can be reached at https://www.1insightchiro.com/ or 386-868-1471. They are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Those interested in attending are encouraged to join the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/
Volusia County Women Who Care Launches Permanent Endowment to Secure Generations of Local Impact
Daytona Beach, Fla. – Volusia County Women Who Care (VCWWC), the all‑volunteer giving circle known for directing hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits through the collective power of member donations, has launched the VCWWC Endowment, a permanent fund designed to fuel the organization’s mission for generations.
The Endowment was launched with leadership gifts from five Founding Pillars – Tina Buck; Jan and Don Dounda; Andrea and Larry Frank; Irene and George Harrington; and Teresa and Mark Smith – who were honored during a launch reception at the Halifax Repertory Theater. The new endowment, established in partnership with the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties (CF/UWVFC), will generate long‑term operational support, allowing the giving circle to continue its work without ever touching member donations.
“Our members have always known that when they write that $100 check, every single penny goes to a Volusia County nonprofit – no exceptions, no overhead, no dollars leaving home,” said Teresa Smith, Founder and President, Volusia County Women Who Care. “The VCWWC Endowment is how we make sure that model outlasts all of us. We’re not just giving to today’s community. We’re investing in the one our daughters and granddaughters will live in.”
Since its founding, VCWWC has operated on a simple but powerful model: each member contributes $100 per quarter, and 100% of those donations are directed to a member-nominated and member-selected local 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The result is a concentrated, meaningful gift delivered directly to a Volusia County organization every quarter – with no overhead deducted and no dollars leaving the community.
The VCWWC Endowment complements – but does not replace – that giving model. As the fund grows over time, the income it generates will support the operational needs of VCWWC, ensuring the all-volunteer organization can continue facilitating its powerful model of collective giving without financial strain. In short: more stability behind the scenes means more impact in the community, quarter after quarter.
“Volusia County Women Who Care represents exactly the kind of community-driven, locally-led philanthropy we work to support and sustain,” said Courtney Edgcomb, President and CEO, CF/UWVFC. “The VCWWC Endowment ensures this remarkable giving model will empower local nonprofits – and the families they serve – for decades to come. This is generosity with staying power.”
The community is invited to be part of this momentum, as VCWWC quarterly meetings are open to all. Remaining 2026 dates are May 14, August 13, and November 19, with registration and reception beginning at 5:00 PM and the meeting to select the quarter’s nonprofit recipient from 6:00–7:00 PM. All meetings are held at the Mori Hosseini Center, Daytona State College, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
Community members who want to help secure the future of this giving circle — and the nonprofits it uplifts – can give to the VCWWC Endowment at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/CqT_DA?vid=1ou3nx.
