Leadership Wichita: How We Lead (Through Uncertainty)

Hi! I’m Kim Doze-Lohmann with Martin Pringle Law Firm. For the past four years, I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Wichita, and the last two as Chair/Co-chair. As I reflect on 2020 and the difficult decision our Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees made to cancel our traditional program due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, I’m in awe of the leadership that took place around our board table, or rather Zoom platform. ☺ I witnessed first-hand an unwavering commitment to leadership and maintaining the integrity of Leadership Wichita’s impact on its participants and our community. To not only putting in the work, but putting in THE WORK….digging our heels in and flipping the uncertainty we were all feeling into opportunities for us to seize.

Leading through uncertainty is an interesting process and one that, probably like many of you, I never thought I would find myself in a position to navigate something as unprecedented as COVID-19. While we paused on the planning of our traditional Leadership Wichita programming, one of the opportunities we focused on was to take a deep dive into the historical mission and design of Leadership Wichita. Is our mission still to ‘Inform, Inspire, and Involve’? Is this mission reflective of how our program has evolved over the last 30+ years? Has it evolved enough to still be a relevant leadership program? We wanted to determine the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of our program not only for 2021, but for the next 30-years. We had to honestly and objectively assess our program – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We had to focus on what influence and impact we wanted our program to have and ensure that the days we are planning acted as a catalyst for participants to move forward and create the community they dreamed of with confidence.

We absolutely found the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ and ‘how’ and I’m proud to share the vision and mission we have put in place for our ongoing programming:
Leadership Wichita
Advance Leadership. Broaden Perspective. Strengthen Community.

How We Lead

• CONNECT: Creating community through shared experience.
• EXPOSE: Encountering experiences, perspectives and voices that influence Wichita.
• CHALLENGE: Provoking courageous conversations that open hearts and minds.
• EMPOWER: Inspiring action that will maximize leadership potential & strengthen community.

Thirty class participants will ‘Connect, Expose, Challenge and Empower’ themselves and each other through 10 days of immersive and experiential programming, with each day focusing on various aspects of our community; local government, education, economic development, media, not-for-profit, & public safety. I promise you, there isn’t a better leadership program in our community than Leadership Wichita. There is not another program that allows you to do a police ride-along, a firearm simulation, act as principal for a day, meet city council members and county commissioners, influential business leaders, reporters, economists, community leaders, inmates, elected-officials and students. Our sessions are impactful and life-changing and that is by design. 

Does this speak to you? Are you interested in building community, bringing perspective, being courageous and passionate? So are we…….

WE BUILD COMMUNITY – We, not me. We’re All in This Together
Community is not only the ~640,000 citizens in the Wichita region - it is found at the dinner table in our homes, the breakroom in our offices, and in the neighborhoods we live. We define community as a group or people with a shared purpose, vision, and spirit. Leadership Wichita is focused on the ‘we’, not the ‘me’ – our communities are bigger than any one person, for a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Join Our Community.

WE BRING THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE – Seek to Understand. Be understood.

“Your opinion is your opinion, your perception is your perception–do not confuse them with ‘facts’ or ‘truth.’ Wars have been fought and millions have been killed because of the inability of men to understand the idea that everybody has a different viewpoint.” ~ John Moore

To effectuate change in our community, we must first do the work to understand the unique perspectives we bring, and also be open to those of others. We believe that by first seeking to understand the challenges and opportunities in our individual communities – and how they in turn affect our shared communities – we are better equipped for growth & influential leadership. Bring Your Perspective.

WE ARE COURAGEOUS – Leave Your Comfort Zone. Use Your Voice

To grow as leaders, we must be willing to get uncomfortable at times, and that requires courage. Leadership Wichita is designed to push people to the edge of their comfort zones. We must be daring, resolute, and determined to move our community forward. Sometimes the most courageous act is simply speaking your mind and sharing your thoughts and ideas– especially when you are the only one willing to do so. We want you to feel challenged and stretched. Find Your Courage.

WE ARE PASSIONATE – What Moves You? Hone Your Energy.

We each have a unique part to play in moving our communities forward. What we focus on depends largely on our skills, experiences, and passions. Passion is what gives us energy – the feeling of being alive when focusing on something that excites you. Leadership Wichita will call you to action by sparking your imagination and exploring what we can achieve together. Find Your Passion.

I invite you to join our community, seek to understand, leave your comfort zone and hone your energy. I invite you to nominate someone for our Fall 2021 Leadership Wichita class. Nominations will open later this month. If you are nominated, I strongly encourage you to apply.