By Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Due to restrictions on meetings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce has decided to take the final two sessions of its Emerging Leader Series online.
The virtual sessions include Critical and Creative Thinking on April 28 and Influence Without Authority on May 19.
Virginia Tech’s Scott Crawford, who will be leading the April 28 session said, “To think critically and creatively is an essential skill in the 21st century. Living in the shadow of a digital and communications revolution, along with the shift from an industrial-based to a service-based economy, innovation is essential for businesses to compete and remain relevant. The Critical and Creative Thinking session will focus on ways in which a business culture can facilitate the development of critical and creative thinking, as well as how individuals can develop practices to improve their critical and creative thinking skills.”
Virginia Western Community College’s Jennifer Havens, who will be leading the May 19 session said, “Every day we interact with a variety of people over which we have no real authority. The most influential of us are skilled at networking, building coalitions, persuading, and negotiating. In this workshop we will identify your influence superpowers and how they can help you navigate successfully through all your personal and professional relationships.”
The series will return in the fall with new sessions. The series is targeted at new or aspiring business leaders.
To register for the series, visit the chamber’s website: botetourtchamber.com.
