The lessons learned during my KARL experience are many, but the words that sum up my experience best are perspective, common ground and servant leadership. No matter the age demographic or experience level, each member of our class brings energy, ideas and different perspectives which make the experience enriching, informative and diverse.

 

This class represents diverse sectors of the agribusiness economy from every corner of Kansas, including servant leaders who rise to challenge, not only in their careers but to give back to make their communities a more thriving and prosperous place for generations to come. 

 

From our early leadership lessons, we gained valuable lessons on finding common ground and building consensus. I use this almost daily in my work as Chamber leader and economic developer. The pandemic has impacted each of our personal and professional lives and has required us to be adaptive problem solvers, at a time when there are divisions across political lines. There has never been a more critical time to be a servant leader that brings people together to find common ground while we work to repair the very fiber of our socioeconomic fabric in the wake of a pandemic.

 

Our class has been exposed to the challenges that the pandemic has inflicted on small business, rural communities, and families across our state.  When we take time to look around each corner of Kansas, it is evident that our challenges are more alike than different – from rural housing availability and affordability, child care accessibility, small town vibrancy, to the constant battle to keep rural communities viable for the next generation.  While population decline continues to plague many small rural towns, I am confident that KARL is helping to groom leaders that are up to this challenge to fight for the values and future of rural Kansas. 

 

As we work to address our challenges, I appreciate having this unique group of KARL leaders to share perspectives, and to find common ground and solutions together. 

Debra Teufel

Hutchinson, KS

 

Class XV Associate

 

President/CEO

Hutchinson/Reno

County Chamber of 

Commerce