It was lovely to see so many people at last week’s Annual Meeting! We were able to highlight last year, celebrate accomplishments of our peers, and discuss strategies for 2025 that reflect on connecting, supporting, and growing. At the heart of our business community are strong relationships, and using emotional intelligence (EQ) can help to build more meaningful connections. During the month of February, there are an abundance of ways to connect, support, and grow your network and EQ.
Components in Emotional Intelligence
EQ involves understanding, managing, and navigating emotions and plays a vital role in communication, leadership, and collaboration.
- Self-Awareness & Self-Regulation – Stay in tune with how emotions and reactions affect others and impact business decisions.
- Empathy – Listen to understand other perspectives, seek feedback, and respond with compassion. Being authentic and showing gratitude provides a positive environment.
Why Does it Matter?
- Build trust – enhances business relationships and partnerships
- Enhance Communication – Understanding different personality traits can enhance communication and drive results
- Manage Conflict – Seek win-win solutions that respect all parties. Be willing to adapt to change.
- Collaboration – Bringing ideas together to benefit the community at large.
EQ is not a fixed trait—it can be developed and strengthened.
Upcoming Opportunities to enhance and build EQ for Business Success
- Feb 4 – Eggs & Issues – understanding issues that affect local business
- Feb 6 – Coffee Connection – Enhance social skills and build connections
- Feb 10 – Women’s Connect – Perfect your “60-Second Elevator Speech”
- Feb 11 – Tourism Committee- Drawing visitors to Destination Waconia via Collaboration
- Feb 13 – Retail Committee – Shop, Sip & Stroll event – Loving local provides retail stress-management therapy, right?
- Feb 27 – Luncheon. You won’t want to miss it! Stefani Havel, a Sales Strategist and certified DiSC & Agile EQ Facilitator will lead us in a workshop to Communicate with Confidence by Leveraging our DiSC Style for Stronger Connections. I hope you can join us!
Last, watch for the 2025 Waconia Chamber Membership and Tourism Directory later this month. If you’re not able to connect in person, I’d encourage you to reach out to a business to welcome them to the community and/or congratulate them on their success or milestones. Leaving positive reviews is another way to communicate and show support.
By strengthening our emotional intelligence, we’ll continue to improve communications and continue a supportive business community.
Hope to see you in February!
Loving local,
Christine
