Kansas Leadership Center

Please, everyone, do this now. Remove your rose-colored glasses. Place them on the floor. Stomp on them. There. Done. Good. Now, we'll all be a bit better at exploring some tough interpretations (just a fancy word for stories) about what's going on here. Leadership is about mobilizing people to make progress on tough challenges, and to do so we need to be able and willing to imagine that things aren't perfect. (And at the same time, we need to relentlessly believe that things can and will get better!)

Small communities often face challenges on the production side, such as having only a few builders, says Randy Speaker, a regional housing specialist for the Northwest Kansas Innovation Center.

Northwest Kansas needs housing. New funding could spur growth. With northwest Kansas in need of new homes, $7.3 million in state funds combined with foundation and local support could fill regional gaps.

Check out our latest newsletter! We’re empowering changemakers with Actioneer, launching the Leadership in Public Service program, and accepting 2025 Leadership Transformation Grants. Celebrate Latino cultural impact, explore intensive leadership programs, and learn strategies for making conflict useful. Discover all the updates today!

Leadership Landscape, your KLC newsletter We’re empowering changemakers with Actioneer, launching the Leadership in Public Service program, and accepting 2025 Leadership Transformation Grants. Celebrate Latino cultural impact, explore intensive leadership programs, and learn strategies for making conflict useful. Discover all the updates ...

It can take years simply to get a conviction and death sentence. The appeals usually last much longer.

The weight of the wait 30 years after Kansas death penalty law Three decades after the passage of a death penalty law, Kansas' ex*****on chamber remains unused. Choices loom about refashioning justice.

Darryl Kelly, our director of business partnerships, was the featured speaker at Southwestern College’s opening convocation yesterday. 🌟 With his deep dedication to Kansas communities and his talent for building powerful corporate partnerships, Darryl is making a real impact.

The event officially kicked off the academic year and celebrated the achievements of Moundbuilders which made for a special moment to recognize academic excellence.

If your organization is looking for a tailored leadership development approach, connect with Darryl to explore how we can collaborate.

📸 Shoutout to Brad Richards for capturing these moments.

Today's the day! Join us online at 12:30.

Is the current housing system a high-stakes game that disproportionately affects our most vulnerable populations? Our upcoming online Journal Talk will explore the complex forces shaping Kansas’ housing landscape & discuss potential paths forward for both the housed & unhoused.

🗓️ Thursday, August 22
⏰ 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
📍 www.facebook.com/kansasleadershipcenter
📍 www.youtube.com/user/KansasLeadership

Executive Editor Chris Green and Journal Reporter Stefania Lugli invite you to join our virtual launch event for The Journal’s Summer 2024 Housing Edition. Dive into Kansas’ most pressing housing challenges, from the circumstances of the unsheltered to the broader state of housing across the region, and hear how The Journal plans to help communities navigate difficult conversations surrounding housing across the state.

➡️ Submit your questions in advance & request a copy of The Journal: https://zfrmz.com/ABcGLK4P5zdhSlK9L035

We’ll also share highlights from our session at the 2024 Kansas Housing Conference. Seize this opportunity to gain insights into one of our state’s most critical issues.

Special thanks to media sponsor, KMUW, Wichita Public Radio at 89.1 FM.

Wednesday's Homelessness Task Force meeting announced the expected opening date and operation details for the future MAC (multi-agency center).

✍️ Stefania Lugli
📸 Stefania Lugli

Emergency shelter poised to open by Thanksgiving, MAC plans underway Wednesday's Homelessness Task Force meeting announced the expected opening date and operation details for the future MAC.

It was a pleasure to host Wichita Urban Professionals as they explored ways to strengthen professional connections and build a more connected urban community. Their commitment to empowering young, diverse talent in Wichita is truly inspiring.

Wichita’s Mike Heldstab buys and rehabs damaged and poorly maintained homes that an average buyer may not be able to buy and fix themselves, then rents them at affordable rates.

✍ Loren Amelunke
📸 Selena Favela

Real estate investor plays role in making properties liveable Wichita’s Mike Heldstab is an example of a real estate investor who doesn’t merely flip houses to make his profits and rent prices skyrocket.

What a cold-weather shelter reveals about homelessness as Johnson County debates a year-round effort

✍ Dawn Bormann Novascone
📸 Zach Tuttle

As Johnson County debates shelter, Project 1020 plans for 'same time next year' As Johnson County reckons with a growing homeless population, the Project 1020 Cold-Weather Shelter elevates the reality of the problem.

The When Everyone Leads program in July brought 142 changemakers to the Kansas Leadership Center for a high-energy, 6-hour course guided by Julia Fabris McBride, Patrick Kelly, and Jaryth Barten. 🌟 This one-day program, inspired by our bestselling book, puts the power to make progress within reach to everyone. 💥 Participants learned to break down barriers, align diverse groups, and spark change from wherever they are.

The buzz was real—practical content, engaging sessions, and real-life examples made it a hit. 💡 Attendees found the sessions engaging and interactive, with real-life examples and simple, actionable steps they could apply immediately. 🎯 The program's focus on fostering change and inspiring everyone to take action resonated deeply. 🤝 Plus, the warm environment, professional staff, and top-notch facilities at KLC added even more value to the experience.

Ready to take off? 🚀 You have two more chances to join us in 2024: October 2-3 (two evenings) and December 10, both online so you can seize the opportunity from anywhere. 💪 Enroll today on our website. 🔥 Discover how to get everyone moving in the same direction—differently!

➡️ Learn more & register: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/when-everyone-leads-program/

Is the current housing system a high-stakes game that disproportionately affects our most vulnerable populations? Our upcoming online Journal Talk will explore the complex forces shaping Kansas’ housing landscape & discuss potential paths forward for both the housed & unhoused.

🗓️ Thursday, August 22
⏰ 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
📍 www.facebook.com/kansasleadershipcenter
📍 www.youtube.com/user/KansasLeadership

Executive Editor Chris Green and Journal Reporter Stefania Lugli invite you to join our virtual launch event for The Journal’s Summer 2024 Housing Edition. Dive into Kansas’ most pressing housing challenges, from the circumstances of the unsheltered to the broader state of housing across the region, and hear how The Journal plans to help communities navigate difficult conversations surrounding housing across the state.

➡️ Submit your questions in advance & request a copy of The Journal: https://zfrmz.com/ABcGLK4P5zdhSlK9L035

We’ll also share highlights from our session at the 2024 Kansas Housing Conference. Seize this opportunity to gain insights into one of our state’s most critical issues.

Special thanks to media sponsor, KMUW, Wichita Public Radio at 89.1 FM.

In June, 83 participants joined us for Your Leadership Edge, facilitated by Adrion Roberson, Seth Bate, and Tina Khan. ✨📝 Bringing together changemakers from business, education, government, and non-profits, this program is designed to disrupt traditional learning patterns, helping participants identify barriers to progress & break free from what keeps them stuck. 🚀

The program encouraged participants to tackle real-world challenges, ask powerful questions, and connect deep analysis with effective action. 🔍💡 They learned practical behaviors & skills to overcome obstacles and had the chance to practice these in a supportive yet challenging environment with peers & the teaching team. 🛠️

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the program’s practical tools, engaging curriculum, and the value of connecting with others facing similar challenges. 🌟 This experience left participants equipped to make meaningful progress in their work & communities. 🌍

If you've completed , take the second step with Your Leadership Edge. 🔗 Strengthen your communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. 🧠 Empower yourself to lead with confidence. 📈 Join one of our online programs September 24-25 and November 19-20, accessible virtually without the need for travel, or sign up for our in-person program October 22-23.

➡ Learn more: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/yourleadershipedge/
➡ Register today: https://go.kansasleadershipcenter.org/RegisterYLE2024

Today's newsletter is packed with opportunities and inspiring stories: https://mailchi.mp/kansasleadershipcenter.org/leadership-landscape-august-13-2024 🚀 Apply now for our 2025 Leadership Transformation Grants. 🌟 Meet our trailblazing When Everyone Leads™ facilitators. 🤩 Discover special coaching sessions to transform your leadership approach. 🏆 Celebrate Journal reporter Stefania Lugli's national recognition. 📅 Plus, registration deadlines for our upcoming programs are just around the corner. 🔥 Ready to take your next step on your leadership journey?

Facing big challenges? The Kansas Leadership Center can help you tackle tough problems & seize new opportunities. 🌟 Any organization in Kansas can apply for a 2025 Leadership Transformation Grant, but it's especially suited for those in education, faith, government, and nonprofit sectors. Empower your team at every level to lead more effectively & drive real progress. 🚀 Apply by September 15, 2024.

Applications are open for Leadership Transformation Grants KLC is offering Leadership Transformation Grants to organizations seeking to seize opportunities and tackle challenges by building a culture of leadership.

Start your journey on the KLC path with When Everyone Leads. Learn to unlock collective leadership potential in teams, organizations & communities in this 6-hour course rooted in our national bestseller. Secure your spot today for one of our two remaining programs for 2024:
🗓️ October 2-3 (3 hours each evening)
🗓️ December 10

Both are online. ➡️ Learn more & register: https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/when-everyone-leads-program/ ⏰ Registration closes two weeks prior to each program or once maximum capacity is reached.

Coming this September! 🚀 Join Harvard-trained experts Tim Steffensmeier & Jill Hufnagel in Wichita for an immersive experience in Advanced Leadership Development. Learn how to turn real-time interactions into powerful case studies for leadership growth. Perfect for educators, trainers, and consultants looking to take their skills to the next level.

🗓️ September 24-27, 2024
⏰ Deadline to register: Sept. 10
➡️ Learn more: https://go.kansasleadershipcenter.org/ALDI
➡️ Register: https://go.kansasleadershipcenter.org/ALDIreg2024
🙋 Scholarships are available. Apply here: https://go.kansasleadershipcenter.org/scholarship

"In my leadership development practice, facilitation and Case-in-Point are my go-to tools to unlock new learning and awareness for my clients. KLC's intensives have completely change the way I do client engagement work. I use the tools every time I step to the front of a room." – Shane Iwashige, owner of The Rock Group

From The Journal: What an annual point-in-time count does – and doesn’t – tell us about homelessness in Kansas.

✍️ Stefania Lugli
📷 Jeff Tuttle

Tip of the iceberg: 2024 count shows over 2,800 homeless in Kansas State data released Wednesday shows a nearly 7% increase from last year. We look at how this data helps communities plan strategically.

Why we could all benefit from seeing homelessness as everybody’s problem...

✍️ Chris Green
📷 Jeff Tuttle

Opinion: Is housing a game of musical chairs? A popular analogy that I’ve been seeing lately is that housing is a cruel and expensive game of “musical chairs.” The gist is this: There are more people than places […]

We are thrilled to introduce our inaugural cohort of 15 facilitators who are redefining leadership & building cultures where everyone leads. 👏 These dynamic individuals, drawn from diverse backgrounds such as education, nonprofit, and government sectors, have completed the When Everyone Leads™ certification program. 🎉 Armed with facilitator guides, participant resources, and ongoing support from KLC's community of practice, they are poised to make a profound impact in their respective fields. 🤓 Their dedication & expertise will help foster environments where leadership is a collective effort, empowering individuals, teams, and communities to thrive.

Sometimes (usually) challenges and problems are messier than we first think. Don't make things worse by jumping in with a solution before understanding what's really happening. Every situation calling for leadership has elements that are adaptive (focused on hearts, values) and technical (the stuff experts can solve). Treating the adaptive elements as if they were technical just makes things worse. Don't do that -- unless you want more dragons to fight.

The Wichita Documenters program, managed by the Kansas Leadership Center, empowers locals to record public meetings, boosting civic engagement & transparency. 📝 Discover how retired librarian Sharon Ailslieger & others are making a difference at www.Documenters.org.

✍️ Chris Green & Joe Stumpe for The Active Age, through the Wichita Journalism Collaborative
📸 Selena Favela & The Active Age

With journalists scarce, Wichita Documenters keep eyes on public meetings Documenters list agenda items, summarize discussions in varying degrees of detail and record votes and other official actions.

Remember how Kansas communities rallied together to fight COVID-19 through the Kansas Beats the Virus campaign? Explore the inspiring findings from Third Floor Research on the power of grassroots leadership and community-driven action.

Third Floor Research is an applied research partnership between the Kansas Leadership Center and the Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University.

In our next Third Floor Research blog entry, we showcase findings from a Third Floor Research study on the Kansas Beats the Virus campaign: https://bit.ly/4doLo6v

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, prompting Kansas communities to innovate. In response, the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), in partnership with state and local communities, launched the Kansas Beats the Virus (KBTV) in 2020 and 2021.

We had KLC alumni spend a day with us to launch the pilot of a new program applying the KLC leadership framework to a civic or community challenge. These 28 changemakers designed interventions using KLC principles & competencies, then tested opportunities to move their chosen challenge forward. Now they've uploaded their plans to Actioneer, our proprietary software. We'll be following up with them to see how their experiments go!

Liz spent the day at Kansas Leadership Center today with around 30 other participants for KLC’s new civic engagement program - Take Action with Actioneer.

Participants spent the day engaged in conversations and activities around the leadership competencies “Energize Others” and “Intervene Skillfully”.

She’s looking forward to experimenting with the Actioneer tool in her community work!

[Image is a photo of Liz Hamor, a white woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling at the camera. Three signs from the KLC leadership framework are in the background.]

Our When Everyone Leads program in June brought together 160 dynamic, eager participants. Guided by Julia Fabris McBride & Lalo Muñoz, they undertook a transformative journey to create cultures where everyone can lead. Based on KLC's bestselling book, this 6-hour course makes leadership radically accessible & inclusive. Participants learned to break down barriers, align diverse groups, and lead from where they are, empowering themselves to embrace change.

Now, these new alumni are ready for the next step: Your Leadership Edge. 💪 They're poised to unleash collective leadership in their teams, organizations, and communities. ➡️ www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/yourleadershipedge/

Feeling inspired to discover how to see and seize your moments to lead? Enroll now! We have two more opportunities in 2024: October 2-3 (two evenings) and December 10, both online. 🤩 Discover new ways to get everyone moving in the same direction, differently! Learn to start where you have influence and make leadership less risky for others. ➡️ www.kansasleadershipcenter.org/when-everyone-leads-program/

With the closure of Duchesne Clinic, hundreds of Kansas City's poorest residents are left without essential medical care. Former clinic manager Lulu Herrera and Care Beyond the Boulevard's mobile clinic team are struggling to reach and support these patients in a temporary setup, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable healthcare solutions.

✍️ Suzanne King for The Beacon Kansas City

A KCK clinic's closure leaves patients with few health care options Safety-net clinics are struggling to fill the gap for patients after a Utah health system closed a KCK health clinic.

Facing eviction? Kansas Legal Services, Inc. attorney Steve Minson shares urgent advice on protecting your belongings and navigating the aggressive process servers in Sedgwick County. Learn your rights & discover key tips from the Urban League Of Kansas Inc’s Housing Workshop on avoiding court & securing your home.

✍️ P.J. Griekspoor for Wichita Journalism Collaborative

Eviction workshop: Renters must prioritize staying out of court An eviction makes it exponentially more difficult to secure housing. A majority of landlords will not rent to a tenant with a prior eviction.

A local Facebook group is working to increase public access to water, and the city says people can shelter in the library and other city facilities during the day. But what’s the balance between meeting immediate needs and connecting individuals with resources for the long haul?

✍️ Loren Amelunke for Wichita Journalism Collaborative

As extreme heat continues, where can a homeless individual find water and shelter in Wichita? This week’s temperatures are expected to hit triple digits. There are differing perspectives on how to help the homeless when temperatures rise.

Kansas' new law on contract for deed home sales brings crucial protections for buyers and sellers. Read more in Celia Hack's article for KMUW, shared through the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.

Contract for deed home sales used to be mostly unregulated in Kansas. A new law changes that. The Kansas Legislature voted almost unanimously to pass a bill this past session that would add more regulations to contract for deed sales.