From ER to Leadership Insight

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

Ever have one of those moments when life throws you a curveball, and you realize something profound about yourself?

I had my aha moment recently. The plan was simple: fly back to Chicago from Orlando, spend the night, then head to Las Vegas with my husband for the ABC conference with HelmsBriscoe. My flight was on time, but as I deplaned, I got a text from my husband. He was in the ER. His message? “Go to Las Vegas without me.”

His words echoed his pragmatic approach: “They’ll take care of me. If I die, I’ll still be dead when you return.” Rational, calm, and matter-of-fact. But me? I didn’t hesitate. I rented a car and drove two hours to the hospital, canceling my Las Vegas plans without a second thought.

This experience underscored a fundamental difference between us. While he focuses on the logic of situations, I lead with my heart. It wasn’t a conscious decision; it was instinctual. At that moment, my priority was to be by his side, no matter what.

Thankfully, he was treated and is okay, but those four unexpected days without meetings gave me time to reflect. Leadership isn’t just about making the right business decisions; it’s about being there for your people when it matters most. It’s about leading with empathy, showing up, and sometimes, dropping everything to support those who matter.

As leaders, our actions speak volumes. Sometimes, it’s not the grand gestures but the instinctual, heart-led decisions that define who we are.

Here’s to leading with heart, always.

#Leadership #AhaMoment #WorkLifeBalance

1??One Thing I...

?? Learned - I recently discovered the World of Shortcut platform, a fantastic platform for selling digital products. It’s an incredible resource for creators looking to share their expertise and products with a broader audience. Diving into this platform has opened up new opportunities for growth and engagement, and I can’t wait to see where it leads. Do you have a digital product and want to get it in front of more buyers in 2024 — without running your own ads or spending hours a day on exposure marketing? Check out World of Shortcuts .

?? Read - I recently read the commencement speech by Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker, which left me speechless. Despite the surprising content, I was inspired by the response from Chief , a women's organization I belong to. Their perspective and reaction were spot on, offering a thoughtful counterpoint to the speech. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of community and the impact of our words.

?? Watched - I had the absolute joy of watching my nieces compete at the D2 Summit at Disney World. With over 1,000 teams participating, their team finished 8th in the country in the J3 - Medium division with an impressive score of 97.0667. To put it in perspective, the 3rd-place team scored 97.6667. They were only 0.6 points from the podium! The girls did a phenomenal job, hitting zero both days. Their dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of practice truly paid off. I couldn’t be prouder. The first thing they said to me after the awards ceremony "We accomplished the goal we set at the beginning of the season - make the finals at D2 and score at least a 97!" Way to go, girls! Check them out in action!

?? Accomplished—I’m excited to share that I finalized my first contract for a meeting in August! This milestone was both challenging and rewarding, offering invaluable learning experiences along the way. Working with the hotels and seeing the process through to completion was terrific. It’s the first of many, with several more contracts on the horizon. This accomplishment marks a significant step in my business, and I’m eager to tackle the next ones.

??Insight for the Week

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

— Seneca

?Ask Kristen

Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. This one came from the state of Connecticut!

Q: What is the #NextGen course, and what would I gain from taking it?

A: Great question! The #NextGen course is a comprehensive online course that I designed to help you harness the power of LinkedIn, ChatGPT, and Canva to build your network and create opportunities on LinkedIn. It’s entirely self-paced, so you can progress through the material at your own pace.

The course is structured around six core lessons:

1. Defining Your Personal Brand - Learn how to create a unique and compelling personal brand that sets you apart.

2. Writing Your LinkedIn Profile - Craft a LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and experiences.

3. How to Network on LinkedIn - Master the art of networking on LinkedIn to expand your professional connections.

4. Creating Content in a Streamlined, Manageable Way - Develop strategies for producing engaging content without feeling overwhelmed.

5. Using LinkedIn for Job Search - Leverage LinkedIn tools and techniques to enhance your job search efforts.

6. Basic Interviewing - Gain insights and tips for successful job interviews.

Additionally, the course offers opportunities for weekly group coaching sessions and access to a supportive community of #NextGen participants where you can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from each other.

One of the most significant benefits you'll gain is building your network. Building a solid network on LinkedIn can offer numerous benefits, and it will open up new opportunities for collaboration, job offers, and partnerships. Expanding your professional connections gives you access to diverse perspectives and resources that can help you solve problems and achieve your goals. Networking also enhances your visibility in your industry, positioning you as a thought leader and trusted resource. Furthermore, a robust network can provide emotional and professional support, helping you confidently navigate your career.

By taking the #nextGen course, you’ll gain valuable skills and knowledge to boost your online presence, effectively network, and open new doors for your professional growth. You can check it out here, Master Your LinkedIn Presence Today – Down-To-Earth Insights ( kristenchimack.com ) , AND learn my top 5 LinkedIn tips you can start doing today.

Do you have a question about a current leadership challenge or situation? You can submit it to me via a direct message on LinkedIn.