Lessons From the Journey: The Best Leaders Never Stop Learning
Updated: Aug 6
Some of the most meaningful lessons in leadership don’t happen in a meeting room.
They happen over a cup of coffee at a neighborhood restaurant. They happen while loading brush into a truck alongside Public Works employees. They happen riding through neighborhoods with Codes Administration, listening instead of talking. They happen when someone shares an honest perspective that reminds you there’s always another way to see the community we all call home.
This week reminded me that leadership isn’t about standing above people.
It’s about standing with them.
Every conversation became another lesson. Every stop became another reminder that the strongest communities are built when everyone has a voice.
That’s the spirit of We Not Me.
This Week in District 1
This week was filled with opportunities to meet people where they are and learn directly from those helping move Wyandotte County forward every day.
One highlight was spending time with Rosette “Rosie” Scover Simmons, Chief Executive of Ms. R’s Café. Restaurants like this become much more than places to eat. They become gathering spaces where neighbors reconnect, new friendships begin, and ideas for improving the community are born over breakfast or lunch.
I also joined Unified Government Public Works team members Dewayne Smith, Jeff Miles, and Diane Miles while helping remove community brush throughout our neighborhoods.
Watching these professionals work—and working beside them—gave me an even greater appreciation for the people who quietly improve our community every single day. Their work often goes unnoticed, yet it plays a major role in keeping our neighborhoods safe, clean, and welcoming.
The week also included:
• A behind-the-scenes Google Tour.
• A ride-along with Stacy from Codes Administration to better understand neighborhood concerns firsthand.
• Celebrating the ribbon cutting of Workforce Partnerships’ new Kansas location.
• A productive meeting with Director Ondra Penn at the Willa Gill Center discussing new opportunities to better serve District 1 residents.
Each experience reinforced the same lesson: progress happens when people work together.
Community Voices
The conversations I heard this week reflected both optimism and urgency.
Residents continue asking thoughtful questions about neighborhood maintenance, abandoned properties, road improvements, public safety, economic development, and how they can become more involved.
One issue continues to rise to the top: overgrown lots and neighborhood appearance.
While local government has an important role to play, maintaining beautiful neighborhoods is also a shared responsibility. Every yard that gets mowed, every vacant lot that’s cleaned, and every piece of litter that’s picked up sends a message that someone cares.
The encouraging news is that we’re beginning to see several Land Bank properties cleaned and prepared for future development. Seeing long-vacant properties moving toward productive use gives me confidence that positive change is happening.
Progress often starts one property at a time.
Youth Spotlight
To every young person reading this:
Don’t wait for someone else to create your opportunity.
Prepare yourself.
Stay curious.
Ask questions.
Learn from people with experience.
Work hard.
Most importantly, understand that your community needs your ideas just as much as it needs your energy.
Leadership doesn’t begin when you receive a title.
Leadership begins the moment you decide to serve someone besides yourself.
The future of District 1 isn’t years away.
It’s sitting in our classrooms today.
Community Spotlight
Ms R’s Café: More Than a Restaurant
This week’s Community Spotlight belongs to Rosette “Rosie” Scover Simmons Chiefs Executive and her brother Eddie Scover Owner of Ms R’s Café.
Businesses like Ms. R’s remind us why locally owned establishments matter.
They don’t simply serve meals.
They serve community.
Inside those walls you’ll find conversations that become partnerships, friendships that become support systems, and neighbors who become family.
Places like Ms. R’s help create the culture that makes District 1 special.
When we support businesses like these, we’re investing in much more than commerce.
We’re investing in connection.
This Week’s Economic Snapshot
Industry Spotlight: Financial Services
Financial services play an essential role in helping families build wealth, buy homes, protect assets, and grow businesses. While Wyandotte County has a growing network of community banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, insurance agencies, accountants, tax professionals, and independent financial advisors, many residents still obtain these services outside the county, meaning significant spending leaves the local economy each year.
• Industry: Financial Services
• Estimated Local Market Size: Approximately $250 million annually
• Annual Consumer Spending: Approximately $180 million
• Estimated Dollars Leaving Wyandotte County: $50–70 million annually
• Local Businesses Serving This Industry: Community banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, insurance agencies, accounting firms, tax professionals, and independent financial advisors.
• Potential Jobs Supported by Retaining More Spending: 200–400 additional local jobs across finance, real estate, administration, customer service, and professional services.
Commissioner Howard’s “We Not Me Challenge”
This week, take a few minutes to look at one financial service you currently receive outside Wyandotte County. Whether it’s banking, insurance, tax preparation, or financial planning, see if there’s a qualified local provider who can meet your needs. Supporting local professionals helps keep investment circulating in our community and creates opportunities for long-term growth.
Retaining even 10–20% more of this economic activity could strengthen local businesses, expand career opportunities, increase our tax base, and encourage even greater investment in District 1.
Looking Ahead
Next week I’ll continue visiting neighborhoods, connecting with residents and business owners, and identifying new opportunities to strengthen District 1.
Every conversation helps shape better decisions.
Every partnership creates new possibilities.
Every resident has something valuable to contribute.
That’s why showing up matters.
The We Not Me Reflection
One question stayed with me all week:
What truly measures leadership?
It isn’t the number of meetings attended.
It isn’t the number of speeches given.
It isn’t even the number of accomplishments listed at week’s end.
Leadership is measured by the people you empower.
The conversations I shared this week—with Public Works employees, business owners, community leaders, neighborhood staff, and residents—reminded me that wisdom exists everywhere.
The more we listen, the stronger we become.
The more we work together, the farther we go.
This week reminded me that leadership isn’t measured by how many people follow you.
It’s measured by how many people you empower to lead alongside you.
That’s the heart of We Not Me.
Call to Action
I invite you to click here and become part of the conversation.
Attend a community meeting.
Support a local business.
Introduce yourself to a neighbor.
Volunteer.
Share an idea.
Ask a question.
Every act of engagement helps shape the future of District 1.
Because our greatest progress won’t come from one person.
It will come from all of us working together.
Next Week…
Looking ahead is important, but building the future takes more than hope—it takes action. Next week, we’ll explore how we turn community vision into meaningful results, together, the ‘We Not Me’ way.
Leadership isn’t about me.
It’s about WE.
— Commissioner Jermaine Howard
District 1
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