In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan—President and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center—to unpack what it really means to lead in today’s civic and organisational environments. Kaye brings three decades of leadership wisdom and a sharp lens on adaptive challenges, systems change, and collective accountability. 

From her roots in education to influencing public leadership across Kansas and beyond, Kaye offers rich, practical insights into how leadership can (and must) be practiced by everyone—not just those with authority.

In this episode, we cover: 

(00:00 ) – Introduction

(06:30 ) –Why authority ≠ leadership, and why teams should stop relying on hierarchy.

(08:55 ) – How to tell the difference in real time and why teams get stuck when they confuse them.

(12:45 ) – Homelessness, parking, public planning and parks done differently.

(19:50 ) – Individual, shared, and systemic accountability that builds stronger teams.

(23:25 ) – Inviting challenge (not conflict) and how teams disagree productively.

(30:45 ) –Using productive tension to keep teams out of comfort and out of distress.

(37:50 ) –Seeing multiple perspectives without taking things personally.

(41:12 ) – Progress vs. perfection when outcomes are uncertain.

(45:35 ) – Final Thoughts

One of my favourite takeaways? Leadership doesn’t always mean stepping up—it often means stepping aside, giving the work back, and creating space for others to lead. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating complex change or seeking to build a thriving culture where leadership is truly everyone’s business. 

I’d love to hear what stood out for you—let’s connect on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.