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Follow me on all these social media platforms!
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"I love your PGG newsletters - one of the only ones I actually read in its entirety.
They are excellently written, and spot on. Thanks for being so inspirational and reflective!" ~ Tom D.
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Looking for clarity, balance and/or direction in your work and life? Are you or someone you know looking for a career or life coach? Scroll down for more info, check out my website, or contact me today to learn more and schedule a session.
Want some PGG's in a handy, beautiful book form to keep on your bed stand? Buy it here on Amazon.
First time here and wondering what the heck's a PGG?
They're essays about self-care, career direction, transition, stress, feeling lost, going with the flow, current events and more. They're ideas, observations, and unique perspectives to make you think about yourself and your life in a new way, motivate you to make positive change, help ease those challenging times and perhaps have a chuckle or two. It's also the weekly e-newsletter about the happenings of the
author, speaker and coach
Kristina Leonardi.
First time or fifth year plus reader -
WELCOME! I'm so grateful you're here and I hope what I offer can help make your life a little (or a lot!) better and brighter!
And as always, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments, and scroll down for info about my coaching services and featured appearances and articles.
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NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR GROUP COACHING
:
Tuesday, June 12th 6:00-8:00pm
Group coaching is an affordable way to work with me and connect with other like-minded folks.
***Click here for more information to RSVP and other important updates and announcements***
For more about this meeting and other offers, scroll to the bottom of this email, click on the
Update Profile/Email Address link
Here's what some attendees have to say:
"K
ristina has a special gift for helping people find their way in their careers and life. She has a sick sense about people and always made me feel better when I was stuck. She combines the perfect combination of intuition and career smarts in her sessions. Her support group has been life changing and instrumental in propelling me forward." ~ Ilana A.
"I was amazed by your ability to synthesize so much information from so many completely different personalities and tailor unique homework assignments to us. I also have great admiration for the compassion and empathy you showed to everyone, your holistic approach, and your patience, among many other traits
." ~ Shelly C
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Be sure to
like or follow me on Facebook so you can be in the loop with PGGs, useful career advice articles and event/class announcements along with inspirational words and images to fuel your personal and professional growth!
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"Since I last spoke with you, I've had some pretty dramatic changes - New Job, a Big Move, Healthy Dating Relationship. It's been pretty awesome. Emotionally, I've done a 180, and my life is certainly a reflection of that.
My last session with you spurred a lot of wonderful life changes.
" ~ Palanda B.
"Kristina gave me permission to be myself! I can say no other person has empowered me in that way as much as she has - and I am TRULY forever grateful for that.."
"I can honestly say that speaking to you was one of the most important events in my life. It is almost unbelievable how a 2-hour conversation can have that effect."
~ Bozhanka V.
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by Kristina Leonardi
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When traveling by myself in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2001 - just seven years after the end of apartheid - I had a major aha moment while having tea in the lobby of the historic, old-world-luxury
Mount Nelson Hotel.
Feeling somewhat awkward in my solo budget-travel state, I was in the midst of sipping Earl Grey when something clicked within me on the most profound of levels. It occurred to me that due to the mere fact my skin is white - with the bonus of having very blond hair at the time -
I was essentially given free rein to go wherever I desired and do whatever I wanted, and
no one would ever question me, look at me strangely, or think I didn't belong.
Yes, I was in one of the most segregated countries on the planet, but it really struck me that this applied in a broader context: No matter where I go,
simply because of the color of my skin - along with being tall and reasonably well-dressed, in addition to being educated and American - I enjoy a certain level of trust, respect (this was just before 9/11) and service, and almost always inherently avoid outright discrimination and bodily harm, even as a woman (which itself is topic for another discussion, since that is only a very recent phenomenon and may apply to fewer places, but I digress...).
Suddenly the phrase "carte blanche," which literally translates as "white card," came into my head and I immediately made the connection to the
District Six Museum's display of various ID cards for citizens under that classified system: White, Coloured, Black, and Indian. In the United States, and in a global sense,
it is an invisible card I carry that gives me entree, ease and yes, a certain unearned privilege, to live a life free of so many stresses, layers of misperceptions, institutionalized prejudice, fear, bias and/or hatred that the majority of those of darker shades must endure and are too often endangered by.
I realize that in telling this story I may sound naive, but this came at a crucial point for me. At that time, I was not only quite aware of, but particularly passionate about the issue of racial inequality, in theory since childhood, but in practice for more than 10 years. I had many interpersonal experiences, observations and relationships informing a significant understanding of the complexities all that entails, and earlier that year I had started a
nonprofit organization to dispel stereotypes and bigotry in order to bring women together, with the motto
Recognizing Our Unity; Celebrating Our Diversity.
But being in a place where racism had so recently been explicitly acknowledged and addressed in such a direct manner brought this concept home to me in a way that
until that point in my life, because I am White, had been only
subtly perceptible, and even then, only because I was sensitive to the issue.
A couple of years later, while waiting in the cold for an MTA bus on First Avenue in the East Village, I experienced this overtness in reverse. Two Black women chose to ditch the delayed public transportation, and I watched in disbelief as two, three, five,
six open taxis passed by as they tried to hail one. Disgusted, I asked if they needed help, and of course the next cab stopped for me, but when the driver realized the Black women, not me, were getting in, he drove away. Finally I asked where they were going; I was so appalled I decided I would just get in and share it with them. The irony was that they were going to 78th Street between First and Second, probably one of the Whitest blocks in the city.
It was perhaps the closest I will come to knowing what it must feel like to deal with race on a daily basis, simply trying to accomplish the most mundane of tasks.
Fast-forward to February 2012. After giving a talk at the Science, Industry and Business Library, a young Black man came up to thank me for what I had shared, how it made him think differently about his life; he pointed out what he had written down so he could make positive change. He then said he had recently been released from federal prison and asked if I would be willing to work with someone like him. Well, this began a journey in which I learned more specifically about the consequences of race and the criminal justice system, the roots of mass incarceration and the many barriers to re-entry.
It has since widened and deepened my understanding of the unhealed wounds, scars and repercussions of our country's history of slavery.
In the aftermath of injustice after injustice against people of color, we are dealing with symptoms of a very sick system that is made up of
people, and
people are crying out for transformation and healing. It is not a Black problem; it is not a White problem. It is a human problem. No matter what card-carrying member of our race you proclaim (or are deemed) to be, we're all in this man-made mess together - and
we will only solve it one story, one interaction, one aha moment at a time.
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If you like what I write, you'll love what I have to say in person! Scroll down for info about my
coaching and
speaking services and
contact me today.
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As a result of working with Kristina, I now have the tools, motivation and perspective to create my dream career and life. Because of her insights and expertise, I am the happiest and most content I've ever been and found an incredible peace of mind.
~ Alyssa C.
Your insights have had a huge impact on my career and my self-confidence
and planted this seed of truth in me that I knew I had to start tending to. I share this story
here.
I just wanted to say thank you for your advice and I'm glad we crossed paths.
~ Anna W.
Read more about my journey and work in these past PGG's:
Be sure to follow me on all these social media platforms!
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Thinking about working with me one-on-one?
Here are a few ways my services can help you with your career and life, as most of you fall into one or a combination of the following categories:
Executive Coaching:
Who: Managers, Business Owners, Directors, C-Suite Executives
What: Authentic leadership, motivate staff, cultivate teamwork, facilitate communication, inspire vision and culture, increase employee engagement, manage stress, improve work/life wellness
ROI/Why: Productivity, People and Profit!
Career Coaching:
Who: Career Changers, Career Climbers, Job Searchers, Moms, Dads, Grads
What: Exploration, discovery and attainment of meaningful work and lifepath, improve job performance, professional development and advancement, enter or re-enter job force, time/stress management and work/life wellness
ROI/Why: Purpose, Peace and Promotion!
Life Coaching:
Who: Anyone feeling lost/at a crossroads, unsatisfied, stressed, blocked, confused, passionless
What: Life transitions, identity issues/crisis, body/mind/spirit wellness, authentic expression, improve relationships
ROI/Why: Balance, Bounty and Bliss!
Contact me by email or give me a buzz at 917-816-0834 for more information and to schedule your session today!
Click here to get an idea of what it's like working with me from past clients
...And watch this video to give you an idea of my approach especially if you have never worked with a coach before
Kristina gave me permission to be myself! I can say no other person has empowered me in that way as much as she has - and I am TRULY forever grateful for that.." - Cherise R.
"I can honestly say that speaking to you was one of the most important events in my life. It is almost unbelievable how a 2-hour conversation can have that effect." Bozhanka V.
"After the session I felt so empowered and revved up, I felt like I was ready to take on the world! and I still do. Thank you Kristina!" ~ Paula J.
I look forward to working with YOU whenever you're ready!
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FEELING STUCK IN YOUR CAREER? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO!
In November 2015 was one of the career experts featured in a panel discussion hosted by
The Muse. Here is the full length video where you can hear my thoughts on career transition, working with a coach, building confidence and handling emotions in the workplace.
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Thanks to everyone who came out and brought great energy to my
"Who Are You & What Are You Supposed to Be Doing with Your Life?
" talk at SIBL in January! It was an overflow crowd of almost 100 and was
livestreamed on Facebook!
Here's a cool pic gussied up from the SIBL staffer:
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Kristina Leonardi speaking to an overflow crowd at NYPLs Science Industry Business Library
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About Kristina's Speaking
Attend an event or hire her to speak at y0ur company or organization!
K
nown as a dynamic, 'inspiring' and 'down-to-earth' speaker with unique yet practical perspectives on career development, work/life wellness, and employee engagement, Kristina has been a featured speaker for many corporate seminars, non-profit organizations and conferences, including: UBS, Saatchi & Saatchi, HR Association of NY, Ogilvy & Mather, American Business Women's Association, the Junior League, NYU and the New York's Science, Business & Industry Library.
Click here for more info
Contact Kristina for full bio and find a sample list of topics
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, July 11th 6-7:30pm at SIBL
Staying Motivated Throughout the Job Search
Looking for a job can be a long, arduous journey that requires much time and patience to see results. Staying positive and motivated throughout the process can make you a less stressed and a more effective applicant, which cain turn accelerate the outcomes you desire. Kristina Leonardi helps you re-evaluate your overall career and job search strategy to reduce stress.
In the meantime you can watch these two talks in full on FB:
Authentic Branding: Letting the Real You Shine in Any Situation
Click here to have Kristina speak at your organization or company
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Here is a very-roughly-edited-not-the-best-quality video of uninterrupted remarks wrapping up the workshop
Lead Yourself to Success (in Work & Life!). In this excerpt covering the final ten minutes, I summarize
my thoughts about confidence, being a leader in your own life, maintaining your individuality and humanity in the times we live in, and why the world is relying on you to be successful. Enjoy!
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Lead Yourself to Success Excerpt
June 24, 2017
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Thanks to everyone who attended this inaugural series!
WORK IT! WEDNESDAYS with Kristina
Super-charge your personal and professional life with a variety of topics that will help identify your purpose, improve your daily routine and provide tips and techniques to reduce stress, increase your confidence and make your career and life the most fulfilled and least stressed it can be!
HERE'S WHAT ATTENDEES HAD TO SAY:
"I feel motivated and energized to continue my journey toward figuring out who I am and what I am meant to do with my life. I was completely entertained and engaged listening to Kristina." ~ J.T.
"Kristina wakes you up to the truth of who you are, your very essence. I am grateful to be able to be in her presence!" ~ K.K.
"It was a great session that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am very strategic on what I attend and this was definitely worth it." ~ D.C.
"...an excellent workshop to gain some practical tips on how to change your outlook. It helps make you aware of how you spend your time, and provides subtle tweaks that make a world of a difference in how you approach work, relationships, and any life frustrations you're tending with." ~ F.M.
"Even though there were several people in the classes- Kristina was able to get to the core of o
ur career and life concerns. Kristina focused on each person and walked each of us through intense realizations! " ~ D. Auguste
"Inspiring workshop session. Great information with actions able to put into practice right now. Thought-provoking. My take away - own who I am. " ~ T. S.
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"Kristina is incredibly intuitive an on-point. Inspiring. She offers actionalble insights. ~ T.E.
***These are powerful professional development opportu
niti
es
, so
chec
k with your
supervisor or HR to see if they will sponsor you and any of your colleagues to attend in the future.***
LOOKING FOR A GREAT SPEAKER?
Looking for a dynamic, down-to-earth speaker for your event, organization, ERG or company?
Please be sure to let me know if you are affiliated with any group, company or organization that needs a speaker on the topics of
active listening, gender communications, career transition, work/life wellness, or employee engagement I'd be happy to send more information to whoever the contact might be.
Contact Kristina for more info
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An offering of video clips with thoughts to help you in your career and life.
This one is from January 2014
- it's an edited clip from my
Who Are You and What Are You Supposed to Be Doing with Your Life? talk at New York's Science, Industry and Business Library. I'll be back there with this talk on January 31, 2018
click here for more info.
Who Are You.....Excerpt
January 30, 2014
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Pink Slips: How Losing Your Job is a Good Thing - Full Video from June 2010
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HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
Articles I've been featured in:
(I'm #3 just before Marissa Mayer #4 and Jane Fonda #7, Mark Cuban #42, Steve Jobs #44)
Scroll down for more articles written by or about me and feel free to share them all! :)
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|  PGG is on Facebook!
Easily access, like, comment on and share your weekly dose of motivational and thought-provoking posts along with additional inspirational and fun tidbits. Please take a moment today to: 
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How can Kristina help you in your work and life?
"...the guidance Kristina provided has been worth over a 1000 books!
I am extremely grateful for her help." ~ Andrew L.
"I can honestly say that speaking to you was one of the most important events in my life. It is almost unbelievable how a 2-hour conversation can have that effect." ~ Bozhanka V.
"I am so grateful to have had the pleasure to work with you. You really helped me to see that I need to value who I am and what I bring to the table. My gift to myself is to value who I am and remember it throughout my journey." ~ Maria S.
"From her calming voice and beautiful perspective to her ability to connect the dots and provoke "ah-ha!" moments, her words will change you for the better. " ~ Amy P.
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About Kristina's Coaching
Work with her one-on-one or as part of a group
Kristina Leonardi is a career/life coach who has a proven record of getting "stuck" clients empowered to make changes aligned with their true passions and talents in a short time. She provides a practical framework for each individual to make the most of their personal and professional lives, allowing them to recognize, connect to, and fulfill their role in the world at large and live a life with clarity, balance and direction.
Kristina's holistic, gimmick-free, and minimalist approach has earned her widely diverse and fiercely loyal following from all walks and stations of life, including savvy New Yorkers who have tried other coaches, approaches, and therapy with little or limited results.
Click here to learn more
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"She has a laid-back approach, but don't let that fool anyone.
Her ability to read people is amazing and her assessments of how a person can enrich their lives/careers are spot-on. After she asked me lots of questions, she was somehow able to give me an assessment that was frighteningly accurate and illuminating."
I was fortunate enough to have worked with you as a career coaching client earlier this year. Since our time together, and our talks, I have landed a job as general counsel for a not for profit organization here in New York City. When we worked together you mentioned that you had a feeling I was meant for a larger destiny - that I was meant to be doing work for the betterment of others, and that I was meant to lead large groups of people. My work in the not for profit realm will combine those two things, and I feel in my gut that amazing experiences lie ahead. Now, the world is my oyster.
Your coaching and influence had a profound impact on me, and I wanted to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to you for being a guiding light. ~ Vanessa M.
Follow me on all these social media platforms!
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About Personal Growth Gab
Kristina Leonardi's Weekly eNewsletter
Since launching Personal Growth Gab (PGG) in January 2010, Kristina has formed an avid and faithful following ("they're the only emails I read" "they really help me" "they help me start my week" "I save them until I get home and can read them with a cup of tea" "you're
such a good writer!" ) of over 1500 who look forward to a
'weekly dose of thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining helpful tidbits to keep you connected with yourself and make sense of this journey called life.
You can now have PGG in beautiful book form!
"From her calming voice and beautiful perspective to her ability to connect the dots and provoke "ah-ha!" moments, her words will change you for the better."
PGG's are essays about self-care, career direction, transition, stress, feeling lost, going with the flow, current events and more. They're ideas, observations, and unique perspectives to make you think about yourself and your life in a new way, motivate you to make positive change, help ease those challenging times and perhaps have a chuckle or two.
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NOW YOU CAN HAVE THE FIRST 5 YEARS (131 ESSAYS!) OF PGG COMPILED IN A PRACTICALLY ORGANIZED, BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED BOOK!
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A great way to go to bed on a positive note and wake up with a refreshing message. Definitely one I'm keeping on my night stand!"
"I enjoy reading it as a morning meditation before the chaos begins." "It feels like you are speaking to your wise best friend, who knows just what to say to pick you up or offer that much needed nudge in the right direction." "Each essay is punchy and profound."
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I pick up the book when I get stuck and wonder "What would Kristina Leonardi say? " She has become my muse.- Jonathan I.
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THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED PGG's BOOK LAUNCH!
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"
From her calming voice and beautiful perspective to her ability to connect the dots and provoke "ah-ha!" moments, her words will change you for the better"
~ Amy P.
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You can also check out these interviews with me:
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