By Mike McKenzie
Special to NKyTribune
First it was the World Equestrian Games and now it is the Breeders’ Cup … two events of exceptional quality and incredible reach beyond the geographic boundaries of our state and country. While the Breeders’ Cup is still more than two months away, it is anticipated to be every bit the success as the World Equestrian Games.
The two have more in common than horses, Lexington and Central Kentucky – both events were the results of very strong leadership and hard work by lots of people from a variety of backgrounds and interests coming together to create an experience of the highest quality. The expectations were so high that some naysayers said it could not be done – that Lexington was too small, there were insufficient financial resources to make all the necessary improvements, traffic and parking would make it literally impossible to travel around Lexington, hotel rooms would be impossible to find, etc. Failure was a real risk.
Yet all of these and many other challenges were met and conquered and the final product was an experience of the highest quality. The word “can’t” was not in anyone’s vocabulary who was involved in the planning and execution of the World Equestrian Games. People led with no regard for walls, obstacles or risk of failure.
As with everything in life, there are lessons to be learned from such undertakings, and such opportunities for learning should not be squandered. After all, if we are to grow and develop as a community, it is important that we learn from our successes as well as our shortcomings.
As a community we learned that having the highest expectations for our work was not beyond our reach. Indeed, we learned it was well within our reach. We learned that with strong leadership (which we have in great abundance in Lexington and Central Kentucky), world class quality can be achieved. We learned that by working together in an intentional manner rather than working individually, there was no wall high enough to keep us from success. There were individual people, businesses and agencies responsible for traffic, entertainment, infrastructure support, the games themselves, safety, financial support, advertising, marketing and other areas.
These folks and everyone associated with each of these areas had the same goal – for the World Equestrian Games (and now the Breeders’ Cup) to be a great world-class experience for everyone. Not a good world-class experience but a GREAT world-class experience. And we learned that by intentionally working together that goal can be achieved. That is perhaps the greatest lesson learned from our success-when we work together in an intentional manner, the chances for our success are not only improved but the height of our success has no limits. The key word is intentional.
As a community we are applying this very same lesson to the Breeders’ Cup experience. The reason why is because we know when we apply this lesson, in an intentional manner, we are not only going to have a good experience, but we are going to have a great experience. Every indication is that the Breeders’ Cup, through careful planning, will be a great success.
But the question is: What happens after Oct. 31? As a community do we wait for the next great opportunity to present itself to come together with intentional planning and focus to create an experience of the highest quality? Or do we look inward and apply the lessons learned to move our community from a good community to a great community?
The challenges and issues that confront us do not occur in isolation and solutions will not occur in isolation. Business development depends on a strong workforce which depends on a strong education system which depends on a strong tax base which in turn depends on high paying jobs, etc. A challenge in one sector impacts other areas. Ownership for the solutions to one sector are the responsibility of everyone.
We know we have all the pieces in place. We know we have strong leadership throughout our community willing to take risks as evidenced in business, education, nonprofit development, government, higher education, etc. There is not a single part of our community where strong leadership does not exist. The goal is the same for everyone – to live, work in and be a part of a great community.
And in our own piece of the world we are working to create such a community. Regardless of where we work or what we do, whether it be in a government building, a high school classroom, a college classroom, on a factory production line, at home with children, in a corner office, wherever-everyone is working hard to make their piece of Lexington and Central Kentucky a great community.
Maybe it is time to apply the lessons learned from our successes. Knowing that most of us have the same goal – to be part of a great community – maybe it is time to start reaching out in an intentional manner, time to eliminate can’t from the dialogue and a time for people to lead, regardless of position, with no regard for walls or obstacles. Just as we did with the World Equestrian Games and now the Breeders’ Cup, it is time to intentionally plan and work together to create a great Lexington and Central Kentucky.
Mike McKenzie is the executive director, Central Kentucky Region, NaviGo College and Career prep services.