Class of 2026 Leadership Afternoon

Lowering the Bridge: Day One of Leadership Augusta

“The more you see yourself the way others see you, the more you will lower your bridge.”

That was one of the many quotes shared during our Leadership Augusta orientation—and it stuck. Leadership often starts with self-awareness, and lowering the bridge is about being open:  stepping outside your own lens to better understand how others see and experience you.
Last week marked the start of our journey as the Leadership Augusta Class of 2026, bringing together 36 leaders from across the region—different industries, backgrounds, and perspectives, all with a shared commitment to the future of the Augusta area. From the beginning, the room felt open, collaborative, and ready for real conversation.

One of the highlights of the day was our session on Insights Discovery with Katie Wynn from Dynamik Consulting. Katie brought the color energies to life in a way that was engaging, insightful, and completely relatable. Whether you naturally lead with Fiery Red, Sunshine Yellow, Earth Green, or Cool Blue, her guidance helped us all recognize not just our own preferences, but how to work better across styles.

●    Some of us are wired to act quickly and directly.
●    Others bring contagious energy and big-picture thinking.
●    Some lean into empathy and steadiness.
●    Others thrive on structure and detail.

The conversation wasn’t about labels, it was about awareness. Awareness that makes room for trust, adaptability, and stronger teams.

That evening, we closed the day with a welcome reception, where Mayor Garnett Johnson formally introduced our class. We had the chance to connect with Leadership Augusta alumni, many of whom shared what the program has meant to them. It was a reminder that we’re part of something bigger—a growing network of people invested in leading this region forward.

If day one is any indication, we’ve got an incredible year ahead!