Laying the Foundation for Leadership Through Communication

At Cumorah Academy, we believe that communication is not just a skill—it is the foundation of leadership. Whether verbal or nonverbal, communication shapes how leaders influence, inspire, and innovate. That is why we dedicate time and resources to helping our students master effective leadership communication.

Recently, we were privileged to host Gina and Bryan Cox—two accomplished professionals who brought their combined experience in communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence to our student body. Their weeklong mentorship offered valuable insights into the principles of meaningful, impactful communication in leadership contexts.

The Power of Tailored Communication

Students at Cumorah Academy are continually encouraged to refine their messages to meet the needs of their audience. Through leadership and public speaking classes, they learn to craft messages that are both persuasive and clear. As Gina Cox emphasized, communication involves more than speaking—it encompasses the message, the sender, the receiver, and the essential element of feedback.

In the context of effective leadership communication, the ability to adapt one’s message is a critical skill. Leaders must consider not only what is said, but how and when it is delivered to ensure alignment and understanding within teams.

Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Asset

A core theme of the Coxes’ mentorship was the integration of emotional intelligence (EI) into leadership. Gina helped students distinguish between empathy and sympathy—two often-confused concepts with very different outcomes.

While sympathy involves feeling pity for someone’s situation, empathy means genuinely understanding and sharing another person’s emotional experience. In leadership, empathy allows for stronger relationships, deeper trust, and improved team dynamics.

Bryan reinforced this perspective by highlighting leadership behaviors rooted in emotional intelligence, such as active listening, asking questions for clarity, and creating an environment where team members feel heard and valued.

Lessons from Experience

Gina and Bryan Cox shared more than principles—they shared their lived experiences. Gina, with a background in Communications and Public Relations, spoke about the importance of listening, trusting others, and leading with confidence. Her belief that “failure is not the end; it’s part of the process” resonated deeply with students navigating their own leadership journeys.

Bryan, a retired sales and marketing executive and former CEO, brought decades of executive experience to the conversation. Having undergone a kidney transplant four years ago, his message was one of resilience and perspective. He reminded students that, “There will be hard days, but they don’t have to be bad days.”

Together, the Coxes modeled a leadership style grounded in empathy, clarity, humility, and purpose.

A Lasting Impact on Future Leaders

Gina and Bryan’s visit was more than a teaching moment—it was a transformational experience for our students. Through their example, our students learned that effective leadership communication is not about commanding attention, but about building connection, cultivating trust, and inspiring others to move forward together.

Are You Ready to Lead with Purpose?

If you’re seeking to become a leader who communicates with clarity, empathy, and influence, Cumorah Academy may be the right next step. Our programs are designed to equip young adults with the skills, mindset, and mentorship they need to grow into purpose-driven leaders.👉 Explore our programs and begin your journey toward effective leadership communication today.

Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.                                                                                  

Photos by Julieta Ramirez     

Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer