LK helps define qualities needed in leaders; applications accepted now for next cohort

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There is no single principle or attribute that defines a leader. There are dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of qualities that people point to as a hallmark of a leader. The latest graduates from the Leadership Kokomo program learned this over the past eight months, and now they are prepared to practice what they’ve learned.

The 42nd cohort of Leadership Kokomo wrapped up months of learning about the local community, its needs, and its assets, and in May graduated as the latest in a long line of nearly 1,000 citizens who have sought to improve their leadership skills to better serve people.

Assembling in Hingst Hall on Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo campus, the cohort members and their many supporters listened as the graduates shared what they learned, and they took to heart a speech of encouragement from former Superior Court Judge Brant Parry, who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Josh White, a relatively recent addition to Kokomo, relocated his family to this community to follow a career with StarPlus Energy. The move stirred fears and doubts within him, as change often does. As a Leadership Kokomo graduate, he shared that his confidence in the community grew through his time in the program.

“What keeps you up at night?” asked White. “What is causing you so much concern in your field or industry that you can't be at peace long enough to rest well? At the beginning of my time in Kokomo, what kept me up at night was how much support my children would get in Howard County education?

“At some point in the not-too-distant future, my kids will stop talking to me, and external unknowns will exist inside of my home. Are my kids suffering from mental illness? Will I need to fear for their lives? Does Kokomo have the resources and care necessary for my children to feel supported even when they can't feel that from me?”

White explained that he was paired with Turning Point A System of Care as the nonprofit he would help. He dug into the data the organization collected and developed new approaches for seeking grants and funding. And in the process, he learned about the resources Turning Point offers.

“I'm no longer losing sleep about whether my kids will be supported once their wings get too big for my nest,” said White.

Jessica Calderon, an employee of the Kokomo Plan Commission and Leadership Kokomo graduate, explained how she learned that a leader doesn’t always have to stand in the front of the line. Teamwork is necessary for leadership to exist.

“Sometimes to be a great leader, we have to be a follower,” said Calderon. “We have to be willing to give up our pride and sometimes delegate a certain task to somebody else who has better expertise or the skills to get something accomplished.

“Leadership requires grit, perseverance, sometimes some tough adversity. We have to be determined to get to that end goal. Successful leadership is listening to your team members. Teamwork is vital to leadership. Leadership is a marathon. It is not a race. And it's not a competition.”

The public service component of Calderon’s Leadership Kokomo experience involved working with Mental Health America on its Christmas gift program. She organized donation drives within the City of Kokomo and Howard County government, learning the importance of action.

“There are many opportunities for people to get involved and make a difference, but there's just not enough labor,” said Calderon. “There's not enough people willing to step up and work and help. I hope that we will continue to stay involved and active in our communities.”

When it came time for Parry to speak to the graduates, he sought to convey to them that leadership doesn’t come from a position of authority. It comes from inspiring others to follow a vision the leader provides.

“Leaders are not born; they're made,” said Parry. “Anyone can be a leader. It doesn't take a genius-level IQ. Leaders are not the product of financial or educational privilege. You don't need to have a special job title, like CEO or mayor or judge, to be a leader.

“Leadership is not confined to boardrooms and courtrooms and politics. It can manifest itself in classrooms and communities, churches and individual households. Leadership is about how you choose to show up in the community every single day, how you treat others, and the decisions you make on a daily basis.”

Parry cited five qualities he believes are important in a good leader: authenticity, empathy, courage, resilience, and vision.

“You must be true to yourself and your values,” said Parry. “In order to lead others, you must first know yourself. Understand that leadership is not about being served or being noticed. It's about serving others.

“It takes courage to challenge the status quo, to confront difficult truths, to take calculated risks, to stand up to power, to do what is right, not what is easy. True leaders are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, even in the face of adversity.

“I hate to break the news to all of you, but failure is inevitable. Especially when you're trying to effectuate change and accomplish something special and worthwhile. What sets leaders apart is their ability to bounce back, to pick themselves up off the canvas, to show true grit.

“Leaders have clear sense of purpose and direction. That vision needs to be challenging and exciting. It needs to reflect the values and aspirations of the group that you're leading. Having an exciting vision gives people hope and keeps them motivated.”

Parry encouraged the LK graduates to not just lead, but also to enjoy the journey. He explained that as life seems to move faster and the world seems to get smaller, trying to keep pace or even exceed can result in disaster.

“If you're intense all the time, constantly going 100 miles an hour, you're gonna burn up,” said Parry. “Value consistency over intensity. Leadership is a long game, little by little step by step. And before you know it, you'll cover a lot of territory and accomplish great things. So, slow down, enjoy the ride, and play that long game.”

He also encouraged the graduates to not just show gratitude, but to practice it.

“Be grateful for all your successes, but also be grateful for your failures and your setbacks,” said Parry. “When you practice gratitude and all aspects of your life, you'll find that you'll become more generous, not just with your money, but also with your time, your talents, and your ideas. You'll become the best version of yourself in the best leader that you can be.”

Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore is a 2000 graduate of the Leadership Kokomo program, and he has stated how honored he feels to address each graduating class. He is impressed with the evolution of the program since his time in it.

“I think the best thing about the program is what it produces in each and every one of the graduates,” said Moore. “You're becoming stronger leaders. When I went through it over 20 years ago, it wasn't to this extent. We got out and toured the community and saw what they had to offer.

“But to be able to pair up with nonprofits and to be able to get credit towards degrees make this program so much more valuable and an asset to these individuals and to our community as well. You've definitely raised the bar.”

Applications currently are being accepted for the next cohort of Leadership Kokomo, which will being in August. To apply or learn more about the program, visit https://www.leadershipkokomo.com/