We recently had the chance to connect with kristie kennedy and have shared our conversation below.
kristie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
At this stage of my personal evolution, I can genuinely say that I am relentlessly in pursuit of what I call the embodiment of eminence. It is one thing to imagine who we desire to be and another to simply BE WHO WE ARE. The latter is void of striving and is a powerhouse state of awareness where everything is illuminated, especially when navigating through the complexity of adversity and ambiguity.
We are distinguished by design and when we embrace the eminence of our own unique attributes it becomes easy to ascertain the phenomenal distinction of excellence in a sea of mediocrity. Certainty of identity opens a pathway to internal security which provides a net of comfort during moments of doubt filled questioning.
I believe this quote captures the sentiment I am seeking to express, “If you are an ocean, be an ocean. Don’t be a pond just because people cannot swim.” ~Unknown
During my quiet time I wrote in my journal, “If mastery opens doors, what comes next in the perpetual unveiling of your most authentic self?”
If I stopped pursuing and maximizing my divine potential, the hidden treasures within would fail to be revealed, and this hurting world would be robbed of the countless ways my creativity heals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
For over 30 plus years, I have been on an incredible journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment. The gift I desire to invite others to receive through my company Queenfidence Image Consulting, is the power to rise, rule and release their inner voice. As an introverted leader, countless opportunities have slipped through the cracks in my confidence.
I am deeply acquainted with the nagging agony of shrinking in the shadows as the spotlight beckons me to show my brave face. One of my favorite affirmations is, “Why settle when you can be unforgettable?”
It is no secret that I have 31 vision boards and 6 vision books because I am constantly building bodacious beliefs that affirm, I can do anything in a society that seeks to smother gargantuan dreams. The language of leadership can be uncovered in the cisterns of long-suffering. As we boldly stand in our irrefutable strength, insight and inspiration flows freely to those who feel intimidated by the enormity of what lies before them. After having over 3400 coaching conversations with leaders in various industries, I decided to write Powerhouse State of Mind, packed with easy to implement confidence keys to succeed daily.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
In my own experience, a beautiful bond of connection can be broken as a result of pride. It is the unwillingness to be vulnerable and honest about what is boiling beneath the surface. At some point, those volcanic emotions forcefully erupt.
On the opposite end of the spectrum humility restores a severed bond. Taking the initiative to mend what was once deemed as precious and having the courage to face rejection. When both parties decide to communicate clearly what individual needs went unmet to gain an understanding, new agreements to support a flourishing relationship can be established where the possibilities are infinite.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There is not enough space to count the times that I have contemplated throwing in the towel of tenacity. As a visionary leader, we create in our mind what we desire to manifest in the moment but what we have yet to perceive while in pursuit are the obstacles that are a character developing part of the package.
My cousin posted a quote on social media that I’ve been chewing on for several days. It stated, “Maybe life wouldn’t seem so hard if we didn’t expect it to be so easy.” Every single time that I embark on producing a work of art and bring it into existence with ingenuity, the old versions of myself must be confronted and conquered, as I break forth into elevated mastery to create maximum impact in the earth.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Professionally, I train leaders to look the part, be the part and to get the part. As a simple woman with two parents from the country, my friends would say, I love deep free flowing conversations where we talk about any and everything under the sun. I enjoy sharing excerpts from books I’m reading. I have a tender heart for those who are hurting, and I live to lift their spirits with the gift of inspiration. What matters most is that I’m happy with who I see looking back at me in the mirror before I lay down to sleep.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
A couple of days ago I read these words, “The one thing you have control of is the level of your effort.” As an only child, I didn’t receive mounds of verbal affirmation and it’s probably why I’m borderline obsessed with affirmations. When I was young and stumbling on a string of failures, I definitely yearned for positive reassurance. What I ultimately learned is that I can either be my own best friend or worst enemy. In the middle of the internal struggle, I choose to excavate pearls of power from my own well of wisdom especially when I feel weak in spirit from the weight of the work. In mental and emotional wellness coaching one of our tools for building confidence is self-validation.
The first place I started my transformational journey was learning how to celebrate any victory I could find. Motivational speaker, Eric Thomas said, “If you can win in the dark, you can win in the light.” I have championed myself forward through the heartaches, disappointments, exhaustion, obscurity and everything in between. With faith in God and the oxygen of optimism, my own words are powerful enough to pull me from the deepest dungeon of despair.
My work ethic is highly influenced by my mother’s example of showing up to life with an unflinching determination and making the best of the cards you’ve been chosen to play. Anais Nin gracefully said, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Yes, I can give everything to my destiny without an echo of encouragement galvanizing me to be great because who I am was not made by outside praise.
Today. Tomorrow. Always.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.queenfidence.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristieykennedy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@queenfidence
Image Credits
Green top: Jeremy Howard
