Opportunity to build strong relationships.

I had the opportunity to get together with Jaycee leaders from across the country this past weekend to learn about Govermental Affairs.  We also spent the weekend planning with the 2012 National Officers. Two of them have Hopkins connections.  Laura Chesney-Gadd, my wife, will become a National Vice President and Travis Ahlquist, a Hopkins Jaycee, will become National President for 2012.  It is exciting to have such strong representation from Hopkins on the National level.

The one overriding concept that I witnessed in both the education about Govermental Affairs and in planning with new teams is building relationships.  It is essential to build a team relationship in business, in government, in community.  Building relationships starts with the basics of just getting to know each other.  Understanding your team and how they communicate and react in various situations allows you to discuss sensitive issues and feel confident that together you can identify possible solutions.  This relationship continues as you continue to work and play together.  That is why I enjoy being involved in Hopkins…you have the opportunity to really build strong relationships with the government leaders, business leaders and your neighbors.   Hopkins cultivates leaders that set the example across the country from the Jaycees to our Police Department and Blake Road Community Collaborative to building a relationship with our new sister city Boryspol, Ukraine.   For you to get started, just step forward to get involved in one area of Hopkins that you feel the strongest connection and see where it takes you.