Winter 2026 FCIAAO Newsletter

THE POWER OF BELIEF

Most of us can think of someone who changed our lives. They didn’t have to help us, and it wasn’t part of their job. But they saw potential in us before we saw it ourselves. They looked beyond our doubts and flaws and chose to believe in who we could become. And here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: their belief didn’t just boost our confidence. It shifted our trajectory. It became the quiet catalyst that nudged us toward the life we’re living today. Their belief held up a mirror we couldn’t yet hold for ourselves, showing us who we could be, not who we feared we were. This time of year always brings a simple but powerful lesson to mind. At some point in our childhood, most of us believed in Santa Claus.

CREGG DALTON, MBA, CFA CITRUS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER

Parents, grandparents, teachers. They stayed up late wrapping gifts. They whispered reminders to be kind. They worked hard behind the scenes to keep the belief alive. And for a while, that belief changed how we showed up. We acted differently. We put in more effort. We believed being good mattered, that our actions were noticed, and that kindness was rewarded. It wasn’t about Santa being real, but about the power of belief. Eventually, we learned the truth. But the magic didn’t go away; it simply moved to something new. Not because we had proof. Not because it was logical. But because someone we trusted told us a story and chose to protect it.

We grew up and became the ones responsible for carrying others' beliefs. I didn’t meet a leader who truly believed in me until my 30s. This person didn’t just say encouraging words, they meant them. They believed in me deeply, consistently, and openly, even before I believed in myself. And that one act of belief changed the entire trajectory of my life, professionally and personally. That’s why I think one of the best qualities a leader can have is this: To believe in someone so deeply that they begin to believe in themselves. It’s not just about

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STAYING APPRAISED

WINTER 2026