Who are Kansas’ leaders?

Who are the individuals who have true leadership qualities, men or women who can inspire, men and women with vision and courage, men and women who merit respect because of their skills, intellect, honesty, initiative and drive? Who are the men and women who tell the truth rather than talk out of both sides of their mouths? Who are the men and women who are not afraid to step on toes, make waves or question those who do not want to lead or do not have vision?

Who might be looked upon as the state’s five or 10 top leaders? Not necessarily someone elected to public office because he or she could raise more money than their opponent or didn’t face a tough opponent.

Who are the real leaders that Kansas residents would listen to? Who are the individuals who have the foresight and vision to picture what Kansas could be IF there was a group of individuals with the drive, enthusiasm and commitment to work toward a truly better Kansas?

Why shouldn’t Kansas be a leader, not merely a follower?

Why shouldn’t this be the goal of all individuals in positions of leadership, and if it isn’t, why shouldn’t they be replaced with people who are unwilling to settle for the status quo or taking the easiest, least objectionable route to try to resolve an issue?

There isn’t that much time to waste. In fact, every wasted day provides an opportunity for others to take advantage of the laziness or lack of drive and vision of those wearing the blinders.

Kansas is a great state with great potential. We should know our weaknesses as well as our strengths. We should know the competition the state faces from its neighbors in Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska and Missouri. Also, we should realize leaders in these adjacent states will be quick to take advantage of any weaknesses they see in Kansas and its residents.

Those who founded this state were full of dreams. They had courage and commitment. They dreamed and worked so hard to battle the elements. Kansas lawmakers did their best in the middle to late 1800s to lay out a blueprint for how Kansas should be developed and governed.

Now, we are in the 21st century. Shouldn’t the state take a look at itself and question whether what was the best thinking in the 1800s still is relevant to current and future challenges and opportunities? Times change, challenges and competition change, and so do opportunities.

Why not have Kansas be a leader, not a follower? Why not take a hard look at the state and consider how our systems of government and education, our political boundaries, the way we care for the environment, etc., could be and should be modified or possibly sacked and replaced with something far more workable, economical or practical?

It wouldn’t be easy. In fact, in many instances, it would be painful. There would have to be a lot of true give-and-take with the overriding goal of doing what is best for Kansas and its people.

How can we get Kansas to be looked to as a leader in the 21st century, rather than merely being a follower, guided, governed and educated according to the best thinking of the 1800s?

This writer has long thought there ought to be a Kansas “summit” that would bring together individuals from all parts of the state, Republicans and Democrats, urban and rural, individuals who could make a difference. They would be challenged to think about what is needed for Kansas to be a leader, how to make the state more attractive to people of all ages, how to provide a better educational system, how to improve our colleges and universities, how to improve the environment, how to meet the growing demand for water and energy, how to retain and attract bright young men and women for high-paying Kansas jobs, and many other important matters.

Such a gathering would be held at a neutral location, not at Kansas University, Kansas State University or Wichita State University. Nor should it be put together by an ambitious politician as a way to polish his or her image or improve his or her re-election chances.

The big question, however, is are there leaders in the state who could inspire their fellow Kansans to dream of a better Kansas, a Kansas more attuned to the 21st century, ready to tackle its challenges and take advantage of its opportunities?

This would be not a shallow, grandstanding effort but a genuine mission to make Kansas a leader, not a follower. There already are too many in Kansas content to drift along with the tide, doing nothing that might create waves. The state is badly in need of leaders, true leaders. Unfortunately, where many states look and find leaders, those cupboards seem to be fairly bare in Kansas.

How long can Kansas continue to settle for second-best in so many areas that deserve and demand the best?

Again, who and where are Kansas’ leaders and how can these individuals be encouraged and supported to dream, design and help executive plans for an even greater state of Kansas?

Remember the Kansas motto: Ad Astra per Aspera (To the stars through difficulties), and remember this was adopted in 1861. Have subsequent generations of Kansans done their part to keep driving Kansas and its residents to the “stars”?