Welcome to another edition of Kickin' it with Kristen — your midweek motivation every Wednesday!

Don't put off your potential — try coaching and book a complimentary Coaching Session today! #leadership #personaldevelopment #learning

💡Aha! Moment

I’ve been talking to a lot of leaders lately—and there’s a pattern I keep seeing.

They’re being asked to do work that sounds like leadership development…but actually pulls them away from leading.

If I could get on stage in front of 10,000 managers, I’d say this:

👉 Stop asking leaders to do things that distract them from leading.

We call it “growth” or “exposure.”

But really, it’s logistical delegation in disguise.

Think about it:

You’ve got a high-performing leader who’s building a team, managing complexity, and delivering results. Then they’re asked to:
📍 Find a venue for the next offsite
📝 Join a policy review committee
🎉 Coordinate a team celebration

Helpful? Maybe.

Developmental? Not really.

We tend to confuse participation with progress.

We think exposure = development.

We assume exposure equals growth.

But real leadership development sharpens decision-making, expands perspective, and builds capability.

Here’s what actually helps leaders grow:

• Coaching a struggling team member
• Being part of strategic conversations
• Building something from the ground up with full ownership

The work should stretch them. Not stall them.

Leadership development should feel like an investment, not an interruption.

I’m not saying leaders shouldn’t get involved in the work. But we need to ask: Is this the best use of their time and talent?

Here’s the question:
What are you asking your leaders to do right now—and is it truly helping them grow?

👉 I’d love to hear: What “development opportunity” did you get handed that felt more like busywork?

One Thing to Know

🏨 Event Essentials - Why Lighting Matters: Setting the Tone for Daytime vs. Evening Sessions. Lighting does more than illuminate a room—it shapes energy, engagement, and even how long people stay focused. Natural lighting works best for daytime learning and brainstorming, while evening sessions benefit from warmer tones and mood lighting that help guests unwind. Want your evening panel to feel like a conversation, not a lecture? Adjust the lighting.

Great lighting supports the purpose of the session: energizing when it needs to be, calming when it can be. It’s one of the most overlooked details—and one of the easiest ways to elevate your event experience.

Tip: During your site visit, ask to see the space at the time your session will be held—not just under fluorescent overheads. You’ll spot gaps early and create the right tone from the start.

🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - Deck the halls, it's Christmas in July! Walt Disney World is turning up the magic dial with some dazzling deals to make your holiday sparkle! 🎉

Snag up to 20% off on your room with this jolly offer, perfect for most Sunday to Thursday nights from October 12 to November 20, 2025, and nearly every night from November 23 to December 25, 2025.

And wait, there's more! Upgrade to a room and ticket package with a 4-day non-discounted ticket, and you'll score a resort dining and shopping promo card worth up to $100! 🏰✨

Other festive events happening

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back on select nights starting November 7th!
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starting November 28th!
• Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights beginning November 8th!
• Ride overlays, holiday treats, and characters in their holiday best!

Ready to celebrate the holidays at the most magical place on earth?! Contact me today!

🏫 Learned - It’s Okay to Step Back. Recently, I made the tough but right call to step back from the leadership team for The Hospitality Table, part of the Success Champions Networking. With a shifting personal calendar and new demands, staying in that role wasn’t sustainable—for me or the team. Instead of pushing through, I gave myself permission to prioritize what matters most right now. I’m so grateful for the support I received from SCN and my fellow leaders. Sometimes leadership means knowing when to say, “not now.”

✔️ Accomplished - Migrating to a New Laptop. I finally made the switch to a new laptop—and while it may sound simple, anyone who’s done it knows it’s not just plug and play. From migrating files to syncing calendars, passwords, and the dozens of tabs I tend to keep open… it was a bit of a digital reset. But I got it done!

There’s something satisfying about getting set up and organized on a clean system. Maybe it’s the feeling of a fresh start. Or maybe I’m just at the age where a new laptop feels like a gift. Either way, I’m officially up and running—and grateful for the little tech wins.

🤔Insight for the Week

❓A Question Worth Asking

Each week in KIWK, I’ll share a question—something I’m thinking about or asking my clients in coaching sessions. My hope? That it helps you pause, reflect, or lead a little more intentionally this week.

🟡 This week’s question: Are you developing your leaders—or just keeping them busy?

Let’s Connect! Whether you’re planning an event, looking for leadership coaching, or dreaming up your next adventure, let’s chat. Hit reply, or find Kristen on LinkedIn and Katy on Facebook/Instagram.

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