Lead with Authenticity, Curiosity and a Plan for Success

B Student podcast guest Bob Jimenez, owner and gallerist of Winter Park's Solana Fine Art, and former communications exec with Cox Media Group, AdventHealth and Disney, shared some candor and wisdom for leading with authenticity and curiosity along with critical strategies for crisis communications you don't want to miss.

Here are some of the top tips from the interview, which you can watch on YouTube, or listen on Apple or Spotify.

Lead with Authenticity

Be direct, honest, and transparent -- people sense insincerity immediately and value genuine communication above all else.

 

Own Your Mistakes

Admitting when you’re wrong builds trust and credibility, especially during crises; people respect humility and accountability.

 

Align Responses with Values

Assess how issues connect to your organization’s core values before reacting; act decisively when they truly matter.

 

Prioritize Stakeholder Impact

Gauge the real effect of a crisis on your stakeholders to guide the scale and tone of your response.

 

Build External Alliances Early

Develop strong relationships beyond your organization -- leaders at other companies can provide perspective, support and validation in challenging times.

 

Embrace the Power of Listening

Great networking starts with curiosity -- ask questions, listen deeply, and look for genuine ways to connect.

 

Foster Community Advocates

Cultivate advocates before you need them; real supporters are priceless when your business faces turbulence.

 

Think Long-Term Reputation

Brand and reputation are not afterthoughts -- start managing and investing in them from day one for lasting success.

 

Collaboration Amplifies Success

Strategic partnerships can multiply impact. Seek collaboration rather than working alone, especially when breaking into new spaces.

 

Inject Experience Into Innovation

Leverage lessons from the past (corporate or otherwise) to bring high standards and new perspectives to entrepreneurial ventures.

 

The B Student podcast was launched in 2025 by Winter Park Chamber President and CEO Betsy Gardner to get to know the "B" side of some of the most fascinating people in our network, hear inspirational stories, and learn strategies for success in your business.