When Everyone Leads: A Deep Dive into Adaptive Leadership with Kaye Monk-Morgan

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: 

• Why leadership is an activity, not a role—and how that changes everything 

• The difference between authority and leadership (and why it matters for teams) 

• How to distinguish technical from adaptive challenges in real time 

• The role of civic leadership in tackling issues like homelessness, parks, and public planning 

• How shared and systemic accountability builds stronger, more resilient teams 

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.