GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Wichita Session, February 8, 2017
Kings and King Makers
Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, Kansas State University, Professor of Agricultural Economics
"Leadership needs two things - civility and compromise. Today, compromise is a dirty word. The word compromise is the only way we can live together in a modern world. But it takes a real leader to have compromise."
Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh spoke of the lack of leadership in Topeka and nationally. Leadership requires compromise. A leader is open minded, considers the facts, looks at options, and destroys myths. Separate fact from myth, and apply values to fact. Fact is easier with science, but our society is gradually losing our trust in science, and we settle the most controversial issues temporarily.
Communities have an Influence Triangle with King Makers and Kings at the top. Like communities, all power clusters have an Influence Triangle within the cluster. It’s important to recognize what position each person holds. Often, it’s difficult to identify the King Makers.
Dr. Flinchbaugh encourages leaders to read the Constitution at least one time per year.
Of all the things Dr. Flinchbaugh has completed during his lifetime, one of the things he is most proud of is the KARL program.
Warren Martin, Executive Director of Kansas Strong
The history of oil and gas in Kansas, and its far-reaching impacts are fascinating. Mr. Martin gave a brief overview of the older history then focused on the Butler County oil boom and the impact on World War I. With the money made from oil, investors funded air travel companies in Wichita. As a non-Kansas native, it’s fascinating to understand how the oil and gas industry is tied to the air travel companies.
Mr. Martin quantified the number of products that are dependent upon petroleum. Not only products, but food production for our growing population is dependent upon fertilizer.
Along with the oil and gas industry, there are many concerns about the impact on the environment. Mr. Martin discussed many of these issues. Particularly around the issue of global warming, he questions why we don’t look farther back than the opponents typically do, the data is available to consider.
With the impact of oil and gas on the economy in Kansas, it’s important for KARL class members to be exposed to this area.
Aaron Young, Petroleum Geologist with Pickrell Drilling Co., Inc.
Mr. Young gave us an overview of the fracking process and its impact. Fracking is done to enhance oil and natural gas recovery from poor permeability zones. He showed a video of the process.
Many questions around fracking involve the correlation to earthquakes. Mr. Young explained that states have different requirements, which was surprising to many class members.