How to Visit Kansas Leadership Center Exhibits

The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing leadership practices that empower individuals and communities to solve complex challenges. While KLC is widely known for its leadership workshops, training programs, and public forums, its physical exhibitsoften overlookedare a vital extension of its mission. These exhibits are not mere displays; they are immersive, thought-provoking experiences designed to translate abstract leadership principles into tangible, relatable stories. Whether you're a community organizer, educator, public servant, or simply someone interested in civic engagement, visiting KLC exhibits offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of leadership as a practice, not just a title.

Unlike traditional museums or static galleries, KLC exhibits are dynamic, interactive, and constantly evolving. They integrate visual storytelling, digital media, participatory installations, and real-life case studies to illustrate how leadership emerges in everyday contextsfrom school boards to emergency response teams. Understanding how to visit these exhibits isnt just about knowing the hours or location; its about approaching them with the right mindset, preparation, and follow-through to maximize their impact on your personal and professional growth.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for visiting KLC exhibitswhether in person or virtually. Youll learn how to plan your visit, engage meaningfully with the content, leverage supporting resources, and apply what you learn long after youve left the space. By the end of this guide, youll not only know how to visit, but how to transform your visit into a catalyst for lasting change.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Purpose and Scope of the Exhibits

Before planning your visit, take time to reflect on why youre going. KLC exhibits are not entertainment-focused attractions. They are learning environments rooted in the Centers core framework: Leadership as a Practice. This means leadership is not reserved for those in formal positions of authorityit is a set of behaviors and choices available to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

The exhibits typically explore themes such as:

• How to navigate conflict constructively
• Building adaptive capacity in teams
• Leading from any seat in the room
• Public leadership in times of crisis
• Connecting personal values to collective action

Review the current exhibit themes on the KLC website. Each exhibit is curated around a specific challenge or question facing communities today. Knowing the theme in advance allows you to approach the space with intention, asking yourself: How does this relate to my work? My community? My personal growth?

Step 2: Determine Your Visit TypeIn Person or Virtual

KLC offers two primary ways to experience its exhibits: in person at its Wichita headquarters and virtually through its digital platform.

In-Person Visits: Located at 121 S. Market St., Wichita, KS, the KLC building is open to the public during regular business hours (MondayFriday, 8:30 a.m.5:00 p.m.). The exhibit space is located on the main floor and is accessible without an appointment. However, to ensure a meaningful experience, especially during peak times, it is strongly recommended to notify KLC in advance via their contact form.

Virtual Visits: KLCs digital exhibit platform hosts high-resolution 360-degree walkthroughs, audio narrations, downloadable facilitator guides, and interactive quizzes. Access is available at kansascityleadership.org/exhibits. Virtual visits are ideal for educators, remote teams, or those unable to travel to Wichita.

Choose the format that best suits your goals. In-person visits offer sensory immersiontouch, sound, spatial awarenessthat enhances retention. Virtual visits offer flexibility, repeat access, and the ability to share content with a wider audience.

Step 3: Plan Your Visit Logistics

Whether visiting in person or online, logistics matter.

For In-Person Visitors:

• Check the KLC website for holiday closures or special event days when exhibits may be closed or modified.
• Plan your route: The building is easily accessible via I-35 and I-135. Free parking is available in the lot behind the building and on surrounding streets.
• Allow at least 6090 minutes for your visit. Rushing through the exhibits defeats their purpose.
• Dress comfortably. The space is designed for movement and reflection, not passive observation.
• Bring a notebook or digital device to capture insights. Youll want to record thoughts, questions, and connections as they arise.

For Virtual Visitors:

• Use a desktop or tablet for the best experience. Mobile devices may limit navigation.
• Ensure you have a stable internet connection and updated browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended).
• Turn off distractions. Treat your virtual visit like a mindful sessionno multitasking.
• Download the exhibit guide PDF in advance. It includes discussion prompts and reflection questions.

Step 4: Engage with the Exhibits Using the KLC Framework

Each exhibit is structured around KLCs leadership framework. To get the most from your visit, engage with the content using these four lenses:

1. Observe What do you see? What stories are being told? What emotions are evoked?
2. Question Why is this issue framed this way? Who is missing from the story? What assumptions are being made?
3. Connect How does this relate to your own experience? Have you seen this dynamic in your workplace, school, or neighborhood?
4. Act What is one small step you could take this week to apply what youve learned?

Many exhibits include Pause Pointsinteractive stations that ask visitors to respond to a scenario using a touchscreen or physical ballot. These are not tests. They are mirrors. Your responses reveal your default leadership patterns. Pay attention to what surprises you.

Step 5: Participate in Guided Reflection

At the end of each exhibit, youll find a Reflection Cornera quiet space with seating, journals, and pens. This is not optional. Its essential.

Take five to ten minutes to answer these prompts:

• What did I learn about myself today?
• What behavior did I notice in others that I want to emulateor avoid?
• What is one assumption Im holding that might be limiting my leadership?
• Who could I share this with tomorrow?

Writing by hand increases retention by up to 60%, according to cognitive science. Dont skip this step. It transforms observation into insight.

Step 6: Extend Your Learning with Follow-Up Resources

Your visit doesnt end when you leave the building or close your browser. KLC provides curated follow-up materials to help you integrate your experience:

• Exhibit Companion Guides PDFs with key takeaways, quotes, and discussion questions.
• Video Interviews Short clips featuring community members who lived the stories in the exhibits.
• Podcast Episodes Deep dives into the themes explored in each exhibit.
• Online Community Forum Join discussions with other visitors from across the country.

Access these resources via the QR code displayed at the end of each exhibit or through the digital exhibit portal. Set a calendar reminder to review them within 48 hours of your visitthis is when learning is most likely to stick.

Step 7: Share and Apply Your Insights

Leadership grows through conversation and action. Dont keep your insights to yourself.

Consider:

• Sharing a key takeaway with a colleague or team during your next meeting.
• Writing a short reflection for your organizations newsletter or social media.
• Inviting others to visit the exhibits with youturning your experience into a group learning opportunity.
• Applying one principle from the exhibit to a current challenge youre facing.

For example, if the exhibit highlighted how a school board navigated contentious budget debates by focusing on shared values rather than positions, ask yourself: Where in my own life am I stuck in a positional debate? How could I shift to a value-based approach?

Best Practices

Practice 1: Approach with Curiosity, Not Expectation

Many visitors arrive hoping for answers or solutions. KLC exhibits dont provide those. They provoke questions. The most powerful visits occur when visitors let go of the need to be right, fixed, or complete. Instead, come with an open mind and a willingness to be unsettled.

Practice 2: Visit with a Partner or Group

While solo visits offer deep introspection, visiting with one or two others enhances learning. Different perspectives surface different insights. After your visit, spend 15 minutes discussing what stood out to each person. Youll be surprised by how much you missedand how much you gained.

Practice 3: Schedule Regular Visits

Exhibits change every 612 months. New themes emerge as community needs evolve. Schedule at least two visits per year. Each visit builds on the last, deepening your understanding of leadership as an ongoing practice.

Practice 4: Use the Exhibits as a Mirror, Not a Map

Dont look for how to fix the situations shown. Look for how I show up in similar situations. The exhibits are designed to reveal your patterns, not prescribe your actions. Your role is not to judge the people in the stories, but to understand your own role in similar dynamics.

Practice 5: Respect the Space

The exhibits are not a tourist attraction. They are sacred learning spaces. Avoid loud conversations, phone use, or rushing through. Silence and stillness are part of the experience. Treat the space as you would a library or meditation room.

Practice 6: Document Your Journey

Keep a Leadership Reflection Journal. After each visit, write:

• Date and exhibit title
• One emotional response
• One new insight
• One action you took (or will take) as a result

Review this journal quarterly. Youll begin to see patterns in your growthwhere youve shifted, where youve resisted, and where youve become more effective.

Practice 7: Bring Your Whole Self

Leadership isnt compartmentalized. Bring your emotions, your fears, your hopes, and your frustrations. The exhibits are designed to meet you where you arenot where you think you should be. Vulnerability is not a weakness here; its the foundation.

Tools and Resources

Primary Tools

• KLC Exhibit Website kansascityleadership.org/exhibits Central hub for virtual tours, exhibit descriptions, and downloadable guides.
• Exhibit Companion Guides Free PDFs available for each exhibit. Includes facilitator notes, discussion questions, and historical context.
• Leadership in Practice Podcast Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Episodes often expand on exhibit themes with interviews from practitioners.
• KLC Learning Portal A password-protected platform offering video modules, case studies, and reflection templates for those who have attended KLC workshops.

Supplementary Tools

• Notion or Google Keep Use these apps to create a personal Leadership Insights database. Tag entries by theme (e.g., Conflict, Power, Voice).
• Obsidian or Roam Research For those who like to build knowledge graphs, link exhibit insights to books, articles, or personal experiences.
• Journaling Apps Day One, Journey, or Penzu offer secure, private spaces for daily reflection.
• Zoom or Google Meet Use these to host virtual exhibit debriefs with remote teams or book clubs.

Recommended Reading

Deepen your understanding with these foundational texts referenced in KLC exhibits:

• Leadership on the Line by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky
• Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen
• The Art of Public Leadership by Nancy L. Kopp and Paul J. Laskowski
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (for understanding cognitive biases in leadership)
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (exhibited in Justice and Voice exhibit)

Community Resources

• Local Library Partnerships Many Kansas libraries host KLC exhibit pop-ups and discussion groups. Check with your local branch.
• University Collaboration Wichita State University, Emporia State, and the University of Kansas incorporate KLC exhibits into civic engagement courses.
• Nonprofit Networks KLC partners with over 200 organizations statewide. Join a local network to receive invitations to exclusive exhibit previews.

Real Examples

Example 1: A Teachers Transformation

Marisol, a middle school teacher in Topeka, visited the exhibit Voices in the Room after a particularly divisive parent-teacher meeting. The exhibit featured a real-life case where a school district faced backlash over curriculum changes. Visitors were asked to step into the shoes of a parent, a teacher, and a school board member.

Marisol was startled to realize she had been speaking from a place of defensiveness, not understanding. In the Reflection Corner, she wrote: I thought I was advocating for my students. But I was silencing their parents.

Back in her classroom, she started a monthly Parent Listening Circle where families could share concerns without judgment. Within six months, parent engagement increased by 70%. She credits the exhibit for shifting her from problem-solver to space-holder.

Example 2: A City Planners Breakthrough

Jamal, a city planner in Kansas City, visited the exhibit Infrastructure of Trust during a project stalled by community resistance. The exhibit used augmented reality to show how physical spaceslike parks, bus stops, and librarieseither build or erode trust between residents and government.

One interactive station asked visitors to place trust markers on a digital map of their neighborhood. Jamal placed markers where he thought services were lacking. But when he saw how residents had placed theirson churches, corner stores, and family homeshe realized his team had ignored informal community infrastructure.

He redesigned the project to include partnerships with local faith leaders and neighborhood associations. The project was approved unanimously. He later said: I thought I was planning concrete. I was actually planning relationships.

Example 3: A Virtual Teams Collective Insight

A remote team of 12 nonprofit leaders from across the Midwest participated in a virtual exhibit tour of Leading Through Uncertainty, which explored how organizations responded to the pandemic.

Each member completed the exhibit individually, then met via Zoom to share reflections. One participant shared how she had been avoiding hard conversations with her staff. Another admitted he had been micromanaging because he felt powerless.

The team created a Leadership Charter based on their collective insights: We will name the discomfort before we name the solution. They now begin every meeting with a 3-minute check-in on emotional state. Productivity improved. Turnover dropped.

Example 4: A High School Students First Leadership Moment

Seventeen-year-old Lena, a student in Salina, visited the exhibit with her civics class. The Youth in Power section featured stories of teenagers who led climate strikes, pushed for inclusive school policies, and started food pantries.

Lena had always thought leadership meant being elected or speaking on stage. Seeing peers her age leading change without titles shifted her perspective. She started a Quiet Leaders Club at her school for students who lead behind the scenesorganizing, listening, supporting.

I didnt know I was a leader, she said. Now I know I dont have to be loud to be powerful.

FAQs

Do I need to pay to visit the exhibits?

No. All KLC exhibits are free and open to the public. There is no admission fee for in-person or virtual visits. Donations are welcome but not required.

Can I bring a group to the exhibits?

Yes. Groups of 5 or more are encouraged to notify KLC in advance via the contact form on their website. This allows staff to prepare additional resources or arrange a brief orientation. Group visits are often integrated into professional development programs for educators, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Are the exhibits accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes. The physical space is fully ADA-compliant, with wheelchair access, tactile elements, audio descriptions, and captioned video content. The virtual platform supports screen readers and offers transcripts for all audio. Contact KLC directly for specific accommodation requests.

How often do the exhibits change?

Exhibits are updated every 6 to 12 months based on emerging community challenges and feedback from visitors. New exhibits are announced on the KLC website and newsletter. Subscribe to stay informed.

Can I use the exhibits for classroom instruction?

Absolutely. KLC provides free lesson plans aligned with state standards for social studies, civics, and leadership education. Teachers can request a classroom kit that includes printed materials, discussion cards, and a virtual tour license.

Is there a way to contribute my own story to an exhibit?

Yes. KLC actively seeks stories from community members across Kansas. If youve led change in your school, workplace, or neighborhood, you can submit your story through the Share Your Leadership portal on their website. Selected stories may be featured in future exhibits.

Can I host an exhibit at my organization?

KLC offers traveling exhibit kits for schools, libraries, and community centers. These include digital screens, printed panels, and facilitation guides. Contact KLCs Community Engagement team to inquire about availability and hosting requirements.

What if I dont live in Kansas?

Virtual exhibits are accessible worldwide. Many visitors from outside Kansas use the digital platform for professional development, research, or personal growth. KLCs principles are universally applicable, regardless of geography.

Are the exhibits appropriate for children?

Yes. KLC offers age-appropriate versions of its exhibits for middle and high school students. Younger children (ages 812) can engage with simplified interactive stations focused on empathy, fairness, and teamwork. Parents and educators are encouraged to accompany children to facilitate discussion.

How do I stay updated on new exhibits?

Subscribe to KLCs monthly newsletter at kansascityleadership.org/newsletter. Follow them on social media (@KLC_Wichita) for behind-the-scenes content and exhibit previews.

Conclusion

Visiting the Kansas Leadership Center exhibits is not a passive activity. It is an invitationto reflect, to question, to connect, and to act. These exhibits are not about memorizing facts or absorbing slogans. They are about awakening the leadership that already lives within you.

Every story told, every interactive station, every quiet corner of reflection is designed to help you see leadership not as a position, but as a practice. Its the choice to speak up when others stay silent. Its the courage to listen when you want to argue. Its the willingness to sit with discomfort instead of rushing to fix it.

Whether you step into the Wichita building or log in from a quiet room across the country, your visit matters. The insights you gain dont belong to you alone. They ripple outwardto your team, your family, your community.

So go. Visit with curiosity. Sit in silence. Write in the journal. Share your story. Return again.

Leadership doesnt wait for permission. It waits for you to show up.