Ten cents a pound. That is the value of ideas without leadership that can build a team of cooperative partnerships, inspire, and bring them to fruition.

Ideas on how to celebrate the Route 66 centennial, how to use the event as a catalyst for economic development, and how to ensure this storied highway remains relevant at least until the bicentennial celebration are growing faster than weeds in the garden after a spring rain. But leadership is in short supply. And so we have divisive factions, wasted resources of time and money, and brilliant ideas being sown on stony ground.

Step One

During the push for the passing of a voting rights bill, President Johnson said in a speech, “There is no Negro problem. There is no southern problem. There is only an American problem. And we are met here tonight as Americans – not as Democrats or Republicans – we are met here as Americans to solve that problem.”

Route 66 is truly a linear community. It is America’s longest small town. But it is also an international community. Leadership with the perspective of President Johnson that approaches problems and solutions, and that harnesses opportunity by unifying the Route 66 community will transform ideas into a reality.

There is ample evidence that this type of leadership will transform Route 66 communities. We see it in the work of Rhys Martin, President at Oklahoma Route 66 Association, Scott Dahl, Director at Visit Springfield, Pat Tuttle, Director of the Convention/Visitors Bureau with the City of Joplin, and other community leaders with vision. 

Step Two

But leaders need support. So, the second step in building a sense of community and community purpose is to get behind the people that make things happen. This is even more important when those leaders are weathering a storm. And presenting a unified front in the face of attacks by self serving factions is crucial.

That is another reason that Coffee With Jim, the podcast from Jim Hinckley’s America, was launched. We are beholden to the community leaders, and we want to recognize their contributions as well as provide inspiration by sharing their stories.

Folks that think cutting a rope in two instead of pulling together will always be with us. But no one benefits from these efforts, and the folks that support divisive initiatives magnify the chaos that results. Look what is happening with the Route 66 community in New Mexico just as the state tourism office is working to build a coalition that will benefit from the Route 66 centennial.

Step Three

Now the Route 66 community needs to find a way to link and unify the leaders. We have several strong national organizations. But we have yet to recreate the U.S. Highway 66 Association. And that organization is the template.

Officially Route 66 doesn’t exist. So, why is this highway a literal destination? It is because of the sense of community developed by the U.S. Highway 66 Association. That organization was developed in an era of dirt roads, Model A Fords and hand crank telephones. With the technologies at hand today, dare to imagine what can be accomplished.