Highlights from Our Annual Meeting

Last week’s Annual Meeting proved powerful to our 700+ attendees, and I wanted to share highlights from our conversation about unshakable leadership - and the character required to lead well.
 
The Edelman Trust Barometer reminds us that business remains the most trusted institution in America. That trust is fuel. And we intend to use it. Because business is our economic engine. And economic forces don’t pause. We will either grow or shrink; compete or fall behind. Our work with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber is about aligning for a future that strengthens our capital city and our region - not at the expense of our priorities, but because of them. 
 
Leadership Requires Character. And that’s a Journey. 
 
You cannot wish for character and an easy life. Because the cost of one is the other. We tend to focus on “what must I do,” rather than “who must I be?”
 
Leadership is navigating into the unknown. People will disagree about the path, the pace, or the risks. That doesn’t make them wrong – or right – because we’ve never been where we are going. 
 
Message #1: ground yourself in character. It’s the only currency we fully control. Most issues the Chamber faces aren’t black and white. They’re complex, nuanced, often between competing goods. If we anchor ourselves in who we are and the values that guide us, people can trust that. 
 
Message #2: leadership requires holding together competing truths. 

• Pride in us and grief about us
• Legacy and innovation
• Caution and boldness
• Local identity and regional vision
• Reality and hope

 
A friend recently gave me a helpful picture: “think of yourself as a ship. You set your course. Currents and winds that push you aren’t good or bad; they just are. Let them inform your work, not necessarily redirect it.

Here’s what I believe: we can’t define ourselves by what we don’t do, by what we deny ourselves, by what we resist, by who we exclude. We’ve got to measure success, by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include.

Ultimately, Unshakeable Leadership doesn’t mean you don’t get shaken. It means you don’t stay shaken. We are at an inflection point economically, politically, socially. Great moments are borne of great struggle. And our region - the 16th largest region in the nation – is built for this moment.

Our bigger future won’t happen in one season. But it will start in one.

Leadership take-aways shared by attendees: 

Mayor Kaohly Her – “St. Paul is open for business.”

Steve Grove - "If you are in an unfamiliar situation, what you may feel as a weakness should actually be considered a strength because you are bringing fresh eyes to the situation."

Matt Majka - "Pay attention to your ratio of questions-to-comments in every situation." Also, he prioritizes “extreme personal humility combined with intense professional will.”

Chanda Smith Baker - "It's easy to stay in your communities of comfort, but it's hard to grow personally and professionally ... reach out.

Other takeaways from attendees:

• “Our organization was proud to support the St. Paul Area Chamber’s 158th Annual Meeting.  SPAC has provided a powerful forum for us to connect with local leaders and learn how others are finding ways to be a positive force in our community.”

• “Opening thoughts throughout the night with the Mayor, B Kyle from the St. Paul Area Chamber, and Bria Shea of Xcel Energy reinforced something I strongly believe: ‘leadership requires steadiness in uncertainty and vision beyond the moment. True impact happens when leaders are willing to evolve, challenge systems, and build bridges across sectors.’ Tonight reminded me why I care so deeply about the work we do and the role each of us plays in strengthening the systems that serve our communities.”
• Nights like this are why I engage locally. Community does not build itself. It is shaped by the people who show up, lean in, and choose to stand together. And that to me, is unshakable leadership.”

• Jen Hellman, Goff Public, and SPAC Board Chair:  “The theme of the St. Paul Area Chamber annual meeting is unshakable leadership. As B Kyle said, leadership doesn't mean you can't be shaken, but it means you can't stay shaken. We're moving forward as a region stronger and better, together.”

See you in the trenches,
B

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