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

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💡Aha! Moment

Last week, several of my coaching clients came to me with stories of broken trust—
With their coworkers.
Their leadership.
Even their companies.

And it made me pause and ask:
​When did I begin to lose trust in my own corporate life?
​Not in the mission. Not in the work.
But in the people.

For me, it started when the whispers grew louder than the truth.
When someone weaponized gossip.
When a code of conduct report was filed against me.

The claim? That the company paid for my wedding.

At first, I thought it had to be a joke.
But my boss was serious.
And the investigation was real.

To defend myself, I had to gather everything—

• Wedding quotes
• Screenshots of the resort’s public pricing
• Receipts
• Credit card and bank statements
• The signed contract
• An email to the hotel stating I couldn’t accept any discounts or upgrades because of my position
• And documentation showing the only people who paid were me, my dad, and my husband.

It was humiliating.
I felt completely violated.

But it didn’t stop there.

It happened again. And again. And again.
Four separate investigations over the course of a year.
​And each time, I was questioned all over again.
Each time, I had to hand over the same file.
Each time, I felt more unsure of who I could trust.

People I had supported… led… celebrated with—
Suddenly, I was wondering which one of them had done it.
And how many stood by and said nothing.

This happened years ago.
But the memory? Still sharp.
Because it taught me something I didn’t want to learn:

• That not everyone in your circle is rooting for you.
• That integrity doesn’t always protect you from politics.
• That once trust is broken, it changes how you show up—forever.

It also taught me this:

💬 Gossip is rarely about the person being talked about.
It’s about the person doing the talking.

So if you’ve ever been the target of a rumor…
If you’ve had to defend your name while others hid behind theirs…
If you’ve looked around a room and thought,
​“These aren’t my people anymore…”

You’re not alone.
You’re not overreacting.
And you deserve better.

Surround yourself with those who ask before assuming.
Who tell the truth, even when no one’s watching.
Who protect your name when you’re not in the room.

They’re out there.
And once you find them, you’ll never again settle for less.

P.S. One of the hardest things about leadership is navigating trust when it’s been broken. If you’re struggling with that—know that you don’t have to process it alone.

One Thing to Know

🏨 Event Essentials - The Power of Floor Plans: How Room Layout Impacts Energy and Engagement

Room layout can make or break the flow and feel of an event. I’ve seen firsthand how a simple shift—from classroom to crescent rounds, or moving the stage off-center—can totally change the energy in the room. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about accessibility, sightlines, conversation flow, and keeping attendees engaged rather than exhausted.

Smart floor plans support your event goals. Want high participation? Encourage face-to-face interaction with small pods. Need laser focus? Use theater rows with no distractions. Want networking? Don’t underestimate the power of coffee table placement or soft seating. The right layout doesn’t just hold your content—it helps bring it to life.

🏰 a_far_off_place by Katy Lampe - Starting next month, get ready to be dazzled as "Starlight: Dream the Night Away" parades its way into the evenings at Walt Disney World! There’s nothing like a nighttime parade to put the cherry on top of a magical day, and I'm absolutely thrilled they're making a comeback.

Mark your calendars for July 20th when "Starlight: Dream the Night Away" makes its grand debut, shining bright at 9pm and 11pm. The parade will light its way down Main Street U.S.A, twirl by the castle, and end in Frontierland.

I'm beyond excited to see this parade light up the night! It’s a sparkling continuation of Walt Disney World's tradition of nighttime parades, with a sprinkle of nostalgia from the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic! Will you be able to catch this new parade this summer?

🏫 Learned - A mentor recently shared a phrase that’s been sitting with me: “The magic is in the margin.” It struck a chord. In business planning, it’s the margin that lets creativity flow. In event planning, margin is what turns a packed schedule into a powerful experience—where attendees can breathe, connect, and absorb.

And in life? Margin is where peace lives. Whether it’s white space on your calendar or emotional margin in your relationships, it’s often where the best ideas and most meaningful moments emerge. I’m leaning into that idea this season—intentionally creating space so I don’t just do the work, but truly live in it.

✔️ Accomplished - This month, I took a break from reality and spent an afternoon with my great nephew—playing with trucks and exploring the Caterpillar Visitor Center. It might sound simple, but it was the perfect reset. In between all the coaching calls, client site visits, and hotel contracts, it was a reminder that joy doesn’t have to be scheduled… sometimes it’s found in a sandbox.

These are the moments that help me reconnect to what matters most: presence, curiosity, and play. All things that—oddly enough—help me show up more grounded in my business.

🤔Insight for the Week

❓Ask Kristen

Q: What’s the difference between a good venue and a great venue?

A: Great question and one that makes all the difference when planning an event.

A good venue checks the boxes: it has the right number of rooms, enough meeting space, decent food, and maybe a convenient location. It can host your event just fine.

But a great venue? It elevates your event.

A great venue:

• Feels aligned with your goals and guest experience (whether it’s luxury, inspiration, community, or innovation)
• Has a team that’s responsive, proactive, and genuinely invested in your success
• Anticipates needs before you even ask—tech, flow, signage, breakouts, amenities
• Creates a seamless experience for your attendees—from the front desk to the final session
• Offers thoughtful touches that make people feel seen, welcomed, and wowed

In short:
A good venue supports your agenda.
A great venue helps bring it to life.

And that’s the kind of space I love helping clients find.

💬 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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