Unlock Lasting Impact with Emotional Intelligence – October 2024 #2

In this edition, we’re diving into two powerful concepts to ensure your impact doesn’t evaporate—how emotional connections and positive priming can help you create lasting results.

3 Strategies to Make a Lasting Impact Through Emotional Connection

Regardless of your client, making a lasting impact isn't just about delivering great service or meeting expectations—it’s about creating meaningful, emotional connections. People are more likely to remember how you made them feel than the details of your interaction. Here are three emotional intelligence-based strategies to make a lasting impact that won't evaporate:

1. Personalize Every Interaction

Why it works: Personalization shows that you see people as individuals, not just as numbers or tasks. Whether it’s remembering a client's preferences or greeting a student by name, personal touches make people feel valued.

Strategy: Ask open-ended questions, actively listen, and follow up on details that matter to the other person. In the fan experience world, small gestures like remembering a fan's favorite player or anticipating their needs can leave a lasting impression. For educators, knowing what motivates each student can inspire deeper engagement.

2. Make Them Feel Heard

Why it works: When people feel truly heard, they connect with you on a deeper level. Active listening is one of the most powerful ways to show someone they matter.

Strategy: Focus on listening more than talking. Show empathy by validating their emotions—"I can see that was really frustrating for you." Listening makes people feel important and understood, which enhances your overall impact.

3. Exceed Expectations Through Small Acts of Kindness

Why it works: People often expect you to do your job, but when you go the extra mile in a small, thoughtful way, it surprises them and creates a positive, lasting memory.

Strategy: Simple actions like sending a thank-you note, offering a small bonus service, or acknowledging someone's effort can make all the difference. In education, a kind note of encouragement can change a student’s outlook, and in fan experience, surprising a fan with a small perk—like an upgraded seat or personal interaction with a team member—can create lifelong loyalty.

Final Thoughts . . . To make a lasting impact, the focus should be on emotional connection. When people feel valued, heard, and surprised by your thoughtfulness, you leave an indelible mark. Emotional intelligence is the key to building relationships that stick long after the initial interaction.

3 Ways to Use Positive Priming for a Lasting Impact

Sometimes it’s not just about the interaction itself—it’s about how you prime people to feel before and after that interaction. Positive priming is a psychological concept that focuses on setting a positive tone and framing experiences in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Here’s how you can use it to ensure your impact lasts:

1. Create Peak Moments

Why it works: Peak moments are experiences that stand out in people’s memories. These moments are often associated with strong emotions, either positive or negative. By intentionally creating positive peak moments, you create a lasting emotional impression.

Strategy: Look for opportunities to turn routine moments into extraordinary experiences. In the fan experience world, think about moments where you can “wow” fans, like a special shoutout or an unexpected upgrade. In education, it could be celebrating student achievements in ways that make them feel truly special.

2. End on a High Note

Why it works: The "peak-end rule" suggests that people judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its most intense moment and how it ended. If you end an interaction on a high note, that’s the emotion that will stick with them.

Strategy: Make a habit of closing every interaction on a positive, uplifting note. This can be as simple as expressing gratitude, offering praise, or delivering an unexpected benefit. For teachers, ending a lesson with a word of encouragement can make a tough day feel like a success. For businesses and fan experience leaders, closing out with a personal connection or meaningful thank-you can enhance long-term loyalty.

3. Prime for Positive Expectations

Why it works: When people enter an interaction expecting it to be positive, they’re more likely to perceive it that way. By setting a positive tone from the beginning, you lay the groundwork for a more impactful experience.

Strategy: Start every interaction with positive energy. For fan experience employees, greeting fans with genuine enthusiasm sets the stage for a memorable game-day experience. For teachers, starting a class igniting positive emotions helps students feel more motivated to engage. In business, setting clear, optimistic expectations from the outset builds confidence and trust.

Final Thoughts . . . Lasting impact isn’t just about what you do during an interaction—it’s about how you shape people’s expectations and experiences. By using positive priming techniques, you can create memorable moments that resonate long after the initial encounter.

If you'd like to increase retention, enhance leadership, and elevate employee engagement--or just want to learn more about the power of emotional intelligence--let's connect. Shoot me a DM, visit my website, or contact me on my cell via call or text: 715-220-7810.

--Duane Jourdeans