Dr. Sarah Combs - Univ Area Communi Dev. Corp.:  Getting Community Buy-In

Dr. Sarah Combs - Univ Area Communi Dev. Corp.: Getting Community Buy-In

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola September 24, 2024 Duration: 32:18

Dr. Sarah Combs, CEO of University Area Community Development Corporation, shares her insights on the importance of active listening and recounts a personal experience where she failed to fully listen to a direct report, leading to a strained relationship. Dr. Combs also discusses the significance of engaging the community and seeking their input before making decisions. She shares a story about a project where she had to pivot from building housing to creating a park based on community feedback. She highlights the importance of humility and being willing to admit mistakes as a leader.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How important active listening is
  • Engaging the community and seeking their input before making decisions is essential for effective leadership.
  • Humility is important for leaders to admit mistakes and be willing to change course when necessary.
  • Learning from personal experiences and mistakes can lead to valuable lessons that can be shared with others to help them become better leaders.
  • Focus on solutions and progress rather than dwelling on problems.
  • Complimenting others can have a positive impact and increase influence.
  • Speaking up as the lone voice of dissent or disagreement is important, especially in planning efforts.

About Dr. Sarah Combs

As the Executive Director and CEO of University Area CDC, Dr. Sarah leads a community development corporation that empowers and supports residents in one of the most underserved areas in Tampa, Florida. With a doctorate in business administration, she applies strategic thinking and innovative solutions to address the complex challenges of poverty, crime, health, housing and education in our community.

Dr. Sarah has 14 years of experience in this role, and she is also a published author and a courtesy assistant professor at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. She has developed and implemented multiple programs and services that have improved the quality of life, well-being, and self-sufficiency of thousands of families and individuals. She has also forged strong partnerships with local and national stakeholders, secured significant funding and grants, and enhanced the visibility and reputation of her organization. Dr. Sarah's mission is to create a vibrant and sustainable community where everyone can thrive and belong.

You can connect with Dr. Sarah Combs in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkcombs/

  • University Area CDC website: https://www.uacdc.org/

 

You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laurasicola-inc
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraSicolainc
  • Facebook: Dr. Laura Sicola
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @drlaurasicola
  • Website: https://laurasicola.com
  • Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
Podcast Episodes
Kurt Luidhardt, Co-Founder of the Prosper Group.  “Be Clear” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:36
This week Kurt Luidhardt shares how critical it is that you know who the decision makers are when you are working with a client. Kurt shared an example of when he and his team worked diligently on a pitch assuming that t…
Dave Scopinich of Audacy: Framing Your Pitch for Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
This week Dave Scopinich shares how radio reaches almost 90 percent of all Americans (he shared that the source was Nielsen) on a daily basis. That gives his team and clients the opportunity to create and deliver premium…
Yesi Morillo, Senior Vice President at Citibank: Stay Ready! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:01
This week, Yesi Morillo shares the importance of staying ready to take advantage of opportunities so that you are prepared for any moment to be able to discuss what you are working on. “The elevator is one of the most un…
Partnerships and Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
This week Christine Ostrowski shares how an almost two hundred year old school is continually adapting to improve the lives of their students and team. By treating employees like clients to understand what they need to g…
Giving Back and Making a Difference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
In this week’s episode, Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John LaBarbera of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation board shares with Laura the important work that the foundation is doing and the obstacles that they face including wi…
Humor and Executive Presence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:35
This week, Laura discusses the importance of humor and executive presence. Laura shares her tips for adding “fun” to your presentation while keeping it professional and engaging your audience. Here are a few things that…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
This week in the second part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Pro…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
This week in the first part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Prod…