Navy Bob

An incredible morning at the Florida Chamber Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where Leading with Love CEO Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska delivered the opening keynote before a crowd of more than 200 attendees.

Navy Bob’s message centered on one of the most important leadership challenges of our time: relationships.

“After decades of academic research, one truth stands out: the quality of our relationships is the strongest predictor of happiness, health, resilience, and success in our homes, businesses, and societies.”

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital connection, Navy Bob challenged leaders to prioritize authentic human relationships as a strategic imperative for the future.

“Those who master both advanced technology and deep human connection will lead the future.”

Special thanks to John Trevathan of GuideWell for the kind introduction and support of today’s event.

Thank you to the Florida Chamber for bringing together leaders committed to building stronger organizations and communities across Florida.


.navybob

As Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska prepares to open the Florida Chamber Leadership Conference, he recently revisited an article he wrote following his experience as a speaker at the 2025 Edison Awards.

Published in the May 2025 edition of Southwest Florida Business Today, the article, What the Nuclear Navy Taught Me About Leading with Love, reflects on leadership lessons shaped through the Nuclear Navy, the White House, healthcare, and high-pressure environments where trust and human connection matter deeply.

A year later, the message feels even more relevant.

In a time when many organizations are facing burnout, disengagement, and culture challenges, leadership grounded in relationships, accountability, communication, and care continues to make a difference.

One line from the article still stands out:

“When you lead with love and put people first, unimaginable results follow.”

As Leading with Love continues to grow across healthcare, public safety, education, and business, this mission remains at the center of the work.

Leading with Love - Redefining Leadership Worldwide .navybob

Today, public safety leaders from agencies across Central Florida gathered at Valencia College - School of Public Safety for Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture led by Chief Richard Beary and Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska.

The conversations throughout the day centered around some of the biggest challenges facing public safety leadership today — retention, morale, communication, accountability, workforce culture, and leading effectively under pressure.

Attendees shared thoughtful perspectives, practical challenges, and real-world leadership experiences from their own organizations.

We are grateful for the feedback already received from participants, including comments highlighting:

• Real-life examples that helped drive the message home
• Practical leadership tools that can be applied immediately
• Meaningful conversations and peer learning
• Leadership concepts that participants can incorporate into their organizations daily

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such an impactful day of learning and discussion.

If your agency or organization is interested in bringing this program in-house for your leadership team, we would welcome the conversation.

LLeading with Love - Redefining Leadership Worldwide

Leading in public safety requires more than experience. It takes clarity, consistency, and the ability to lead your team when it matters most.

On May 6 in Orlando, Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska and Chief Richard Beary (Ret.) will lead Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture at Valencia College of Public Safety.

You will hear directly from two leaders who have operated at the highest levels and understand what it takes to build strong, aligned teams in high-pressure environments.

Limited seats remain!

Register here:

https://leadingwithlove.com/resources/events

With just weeks left to register, this program is nearing capacity - only 9 seats remain.

If you have been considering attending Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture, now is the time. Public safety leaders from across agencies are already registered, and the remaining seats are going quickly.

This one-day intensive tackles the issues leaders told us matter most—retention, burnout, communication, trust, and building stronger cultures from within.

📍 Valencia College School of Public Safety
📅 Wednesday, May 6
🕗 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

To register, visit: https://leadingwithlove.com/resources/events

Public safety leaders are being asked to do more than ever—while managing retention challenges, burnout, and the daily demands of the job.

On May 6 in Orlando, Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska will join Chief Richard Beary (Ret.) as co-presenter for Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture at Valencia College of Public Safety.

Navy Bob brings a 28-year career in the Nuclear Navy, including command of a nuclear-powered submarine and service as a Naval Aide to President George W. Bush. Today, his work is grounded in more than 50 years of academic research and focused on helping leaders build trust, strengthen communication, and lead with consistency in high-pressure environments.

Together with Chief RichardBeary, this is a rare opportunity to learn from two leaders who have operated at the highest levels and understand what it takes to build strong, aligned teams.

📅 Wednesday, May 6, 2026
📍 Valencia College of Public Safety, Orlando
⏰ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Seats are limited and filling.

👉 Register here: https://leadingwithlove.com/resources/events

with Love - Redefining Leadership Worldwide

What if the most important conversation you’re avoiding is the one that could transform your team?

Natalie (VP of Healthcare) and I had the privilege of partnering with the incredible MedStaff at AdventHealth Kansas City to dive into one of the most powerful leadership differentiators: building high-quality relationships.

Grounded in 50+ years of academic research, we didn’t just talk about what great leaders do; we focused on how they do it.

A leader without trust and strong relationships—who still must have a critical conversation—can do more harm than good.

But when that same conversation is rooted in trust, respect, and genuine intent… it becomes a game changer.

➡️ For the individual
➡️ For the leader
➡️ For the entire organization

We unpacked the powerful research of Dr. George Graen and shared practical, real-world scenarios leaders can apply immediately

Leadership isn’t just about results—it’s about relationships. That’s the foundation of true leadership.

When you put relationships and people as your highest priority, results and outcomes; turnover, productivity, safety, collaboration, and more, far exceed expectations… while your workload goes down.

It’s truly a powerful (and almost magical) shift. I lived it and studied it, it has been proven. You just need to learn it and adopt it.

✨ When you lead better, you don’t just elevate performance…
❤️ You elevate lives—including your own.

Burnout. Staffing shortages. Constant pressure to perform.

These are everyday realities for public safety leaders.

This video captures highlights from our first LeaderMaX program, where leaders came together to talk through those challenges and focus on how to lead more effectively in the middle of them.

There is value in being in a room with others who understand what you are carrying. It creates perspective, connection, and practical takeaways you can bring back to your team.

On May 6, Dr. Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska and Chief Richard Beary will lead Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture at Valencia College of Public Safety in Orlando.

Seats are filling up fast, and we are looking forward to another strong group of leaders.

If you lead in public safety, we hope you will join us.

Register here: https://leadingwithlove.com/resources/events



https://youtu.be/m2n10kONUFQ?si=akzZPOm8Ai-vMIyV

LeaderMaX Beyond Servant Leadership Building a Legendary Culture Retention challenges. Burnout. Communication breakdowns.Across public safety, these are not occasional issues; they are daily realities shaping leadership de...

When Chief Richard Beary speaks, public safety leaders pay attention.

Chief Richard Beary is a featured presenter for Beyond Servant Leadership: Building a Legendary Culture on Wednesday, May 6 at Valencia College of Public Safety.

Chief Beary’s career speaks for itself. He served more than four decades in law enforcement, led the Lake Mary Police Department and the University of Central Florida Police Department, served as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and was inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame. That level of experience is rare. The opportunity to learn from it in person is even rarer.

For leaders focused on trust, culture, accountability, retention, communication, and mission readiness, this is a day worth making time for.

Seats are limited. Register your team today.

https://leadingwithlove.com/resources/events

Questions? Reach out to Jennifer Smith at [email protected].