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Never Underestimate the Power of Optimism
Never Underestimate the Power of Optimism
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Former Kansas City, Mo., mayor Kay Barnes brings her optimistic leadership to Park as senior director of university engagement
Kay Barnes remembers people had their doubts about her.
As the first female mayor of Kansas City, Mo., Barnes faced her fair share of skeptics. “I knew there were comments made about me like ‘Well, she might be OK as mayor in some ways, but she’s not going to be able to do much with economic development,’” she said.
But Barnes is an eternal optimist — a trait that has guided her to become one of Kansas City’s most respected leaders for her innovative economic development success that sparked a renaissance for downtown Kansas City.
To revive a long-blighted downtown, Barnes said she didn’t have the luxury of focusing on a single project. During her two consecutive terms in office (1999-2007), she spearheaded a series of large-scale economic development initiatives, including H&R Block’s world headquarters, Kansas City Power & Light entertainment district and Sprint Center.
“She would be down in the weeds with all the rest of us, but she was able to see solutions.” former H&R Block Chief Executive Officer Mark Ernst told the Kansas City Business Journal. “She would characterize them with a ‘Well, why can’t we just do this?’ and everyone else in the room would feel foolish that they hadn’t seen what she did.”
Practicing what she preached
Being mayor is tough. Being the first female mayor is tougher. Barnes honed her skills in the civic arena as a Jackson County (Mo.) legislator from 1974-78 and serving on the Kansas City, Mo., City Council from 1979-83.
Her education was also instrumental in preparing her to lead. Barnes earned a Master of Public Administration degree in organizational behavior and a Master of Arts degree in secondary education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from the University of Kansas. She also received an honorary doctorate from Park University in 2006.
Looking back, Barnes credits her professional career as the ultimate training ground for the formidable challenges of serving as mayor. In 1976, Barnes founded Kay Waldo Inc., a human resources development firm. For more than 20 years, she traveled the country to conduct trainings in leadership development, team building, communication and time/stress management. “Every single day as mayor, I was pulling from theories and practices I had taught for years,” she said. “I got to practice what I preached,” she said.
And long before she became Kansas City, Mo.’s first female mayor, Barnes was a leading advocate for women in the workplace. In 1979, she championed the professional development of women as one of the founders of Central Exchange, the first mentoring and networking organization in the Kansas City area for women.
Proud Park ambassador
After leaving office, Barnes joined Park as the founding director of the University’s Center for Leadership and as distinguished professor for public leadership within the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs. In July 2018, Barnes was appointed senior director for university engagement to formalize her role as an ambassador for Park in government relations and business development initiatives.
“I’m delighted to be a member of the Park family and have always enjoyed taking every opportunity to represent the University in the community,” Barnes said.
“Whenever Kay walks into a room, the genuine admiration is palpable,” said Erik Bergrud, MPA ’94, associate vice president for university engagement. “She was an influencer long before social media existed and knows the value of building bridges throughout the community with longstanding relationships. Every day, we are beyond proud that one of Kansas City’s most respected leaders is dedicated to championing Park University.”
“Among the many things I respect about Park, I most admire the University’s history and continuing commitment to diversity and inclusiveness,” she said. “Regardless of a student’s background, Park’s top priority has always been to make every student feel welcomed, supported and valued.”
Kay Barnes with Park President Dr. Greg Gunderson (left) and Erik Bergrud, associate vice president for university engagement.
Barnes was honored as the 2018 Kansas Citian of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The prestigious honor was announced during the Chamber’s annual dinner which was, fittingly, held in the Kay Barnes Grand Ballroom at the Kansas City Convention Center.
Cornerstones of Leadership
Kay Barnes was a featured speaker for the second annual Leaders of Tomorrow symposium hosted by Park University and the Command and General Staff College Foundation. Highlights from her presentation, “Cornerstones of Leadership,” offer just one example of the inspiring optimism Barnes brings to Park.
BE OPEN TO CHANGE
From fast-changing technology to changing expectations in the workplace, there’s no shortage of change in our lives. Although it can be difficult, change presents us with opportunities. Recognizing that everything changes, we might as well do everything we can to prepare ourselves to move forward. Consider the wisdom of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
BE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS
To accomplish anything, we need to take risks. As human beings, we have a natural orientation for security. Consider the wisdom of accomplished author Helen Keller, who lived without the ability to see or hear.
BE INCLUSIVE IN THOUGHT AND DEED
Most of us recognize the importance of honoring our differences. Yet the reality is, everyone has unconscious, often unintended, biases. We need to become more aware of even the most subtle ways bias shows up in how we think and speak. Consider the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
PRACTICE HOPE
Problems we face are real and daunting at times. But are they insurmountable problems or formidable challenges? There is a difference. Practicing hope is recognizing possibility and moving toward it. We can choose to believe the glass is half-full in every situation we face in our lives, in our communities and in our world. Consider the words of French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
