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A MESSAGE FROM Chamber CEO Tricia Brunson
  
Dear Chamber members,
  
There is a science and a set of skills for:

• Getting people to respect your authority
• Becoming a strong, assertive leader that employees respect, without becoming an authoritarian jerk that they resent 
• Eliminating unacceptable behavior such as arguing, insubordination, backtalk, and outright defiance
• Correcting people without demoralizing them

It's not about disciplining people. It's about effectively setting and enforcing healthy boundaries.
 
It's not about being mean. It's about being clear.
 
Can you grasp the wisdom of mastery-level skills at psychologically and emotionally understanding people, at creating a relationship with your employees that transcends a mere superior-subordinate hierarchy at actually being an INFLUENTIAL voice in their lives?
 
What we're discussing here should not be confused with "HR" or (only) management.
 
There is another distinctly different, fascinating area of management that can be even more valuable to you - with its own strategies and tactics. Something even more valuable than basic leadership skills.
 
It's the PSYCHOLOGY of understanding why people do the things they do so that you can get them to do what you want them to do.
 
If you're in management, I invite you to attend our upcoming webinar.
 
It contains high-level management and psychology content similar to what's taught in MBA level classes at top business schools like Harvard. But unlike that Harvard MBA that will cost you $146,000, this won't cost you a dime if you're a chamber member.
 
 
"How to Manage Problem Employees & Handle Difficult People" 
A SHRM Accredited 45-Minute Webinar with 
Management Expert Glenn Shepard
 
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
11:00 – 11:45 Central
 
Click here to register:

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1620630019979575128
  
Now to be clear, I'm not suggesting that any webinar can replace a college degree.
 
But here's what I will promise you.
 
If you'll watch this webinar, you'll learn more about how to get people to do what you want them to do in less than an hour than most managers learn in a lifetime.
 
That last part is really key, because good leaders never stop learning.
 
Here why this is so important for anyone in management.
 
Before we can hold our employees accountable for not crossing boundaries, it's our job as managers to do two things.
 
1. Clearly define the boundaries
 
This sounds simple, but it's not. Here's why.
 
Would you fire an employee for theft? Nearly every manager answers Yes. And if someone embezzled $350,000 (the average amount according to the Hiscox Embezzlement Study: An Insider's View of Employee Theft), you probably would.
 
But would you fire an employee for stealing a single Post-It Note? Probably not.
 
How about a box of Post-It Notes? Maybe.
 
How about a tractor-trailer load of Post-It Notes? Probably.
 
Somewhere in between a single Post-It Note and a truckload, there's a boundary in your mind.
 
It doesn't matter where that boundary is. 
 
What does matter is that managers clearly communicate to employees exactly where that boundary lies. They're not mind readers. 
 
2. Enforce those boundaries with everyone
 
The manager of a medical practice in Dallas asked what to do about a nurse who had missed 30 days of work, when they only allow 10 sick days per year.
 
When asked why the nurse was allowed to take so much sick time, the practice manager responded "Because the doctor is a Softie and says she's so valuable in the examination room that we need to 'suck it up' and put up with her attendance issues."
 
This manager didn't have an employee problem, she had a boss problem. Until he allows her to hold EVERYONE accountable, she won't be able to hold ANYONE accountable.
 
Good managers need to know how to be Firm, Fair and Consistent - without being a jerk.
 
In this webinar, you'll learn exactly how the best managers do this.
 
I'll see you on the webinar.
 
 
Sincerely,
  
Tricia Brunson
President & CEO
Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce