From Stuffed Animals to Safe Spaces

 

I was extremely quiet and shy as a little girl.

So much so that in Grade 2, my teacher pulled my Mom aside and suggested I be tested for speech development - because I rarely spoke in class.

My Mom's response?

"My Kris?! She talks non-stop to her stuffed animals at home. Her speech development is fine. Maybe Kris just needs more time and support to feel comfortable in class."

Mic drop 🎤

My Mom got me. She always has. And she was right. I didn't feel safe or comfortable speaking up in the classroom, so I didn't.

But at home? Oh, I was the most dedicated "teacher" to a classroom of stuffies. I'd talk for hours - full of curiosity, care, and coaching before I even knew what that was.

Looking back now, it's no surprise that I eventually built a business rooted in helping people feel seen, heard, and supported to lead as their real selves.

🪷🪷

Over my 30 years in corporate HR, I rarely felt like I belonged.

I heard it over and over:

"You're too quiet." "You need to speak up more." "You should think faster on your feet."

I was trying - but I was doing it in a way that cost me. I burned out. Twice. Because I was spending all my energy trying to fit rather than thrive. 

And I still remember, just last year, my former business partner said:

"In the three years I've known you, I've never seen you be introverted."

That hit hard. Not because he meant harm. But because that comment held the weight of every misconception I've worked so hard to unravel - not just for myself, but for the people I coach every day. 

This is why I founded The Leadership Greenhouse and the Lotus Learning Sanctuary.

To be the support I once needed.

To offer leaders and teams a way forward that embraces personality differences as a superpower.

To create safer spaces where communication, conflict, and change aren't battles to be survived - but pathways to connection, collaboration, and calm.

To prove that your quiet can be powerful.

That your depth is your strength.

That the way you naturally move through the world is enough.

🪷🪷

Thank you for being here. Truly.

This newsletter will be a gentle mix of storytelling, reflection, and actionable insights around what I call the 3Cs - Communication, Conflict, and Change - through the lens of personality dynamics and team trust.

In the next edition, I'll be sharing one of my favorite tools to support communication clarity (and reduce misinterpretation) in hybrid teams. You'll be able to use it right away - with yourself, your team, or your personal relationships.

But for now, I invite you to reflect:

When was the first time you felt like your voice didn't belong? And what helped you reclaim it?

🎁 Supportive Resource Spotlight:

If team tension is bubbling beneath the surface - or if you simply want to strengthen how your team shows up together - this article from Slack offers a thoughtful take on what really fuels high-performing teams. It explores 3 crucial dynamics: how roles evolve, how self-awareness shapes collaboration, and how trust is built (or broken). These are themes I see so often when coaching hybrid teams - especially those navigating different personality styles and communication preferences. If you’re looking to create more ease, understanding, and alignment on your team, this one’s worth a quiet read:

https://slack.com/blog/collaboration/team-dynamics-high-performing-teams

Wishing you a peaceful and restorative weekend. May your coming week be filled with moments of clarity, courage, and calm.

You’ve got this.

With deep gratitude, Kris 🌸

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