Speaking at Wichita State University promoting their new book, “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader,” the pair shared stories, principles and their vision for the future of Wichita.
The principles that have shaped the growth of Koch for decades, and Charles Koch and Chase Koch’s new book, “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader,” first began taking shape in the company’s hometown of Wichita, Kansas.
Speaking to a local audience at Wichita State University’s Barton School of Business, both father and son shared stories of how these principles have helped transform Koch over time, drawing on decades of challenges, transformation and growth. It ultimately came back to a recurring theme: There’s no place like home to do it.
The book itself offers a practical blueprint for these 41 “Principles of Human Progress,” drawing on lessons from more than six decades of experimentation, failure and improvement, using real stories of business and personal transformation in a way that makes them approachable rather than overwhelming.
While the discussion began with the book, the conversation repeatedly returned to Wichita’s role in shaping the company and its management philosophy — not just as a base of operations, but as the source of inspiration for the principles and culture that attract people to the company.
Where it all started
For Chase, that’s what brought him back home. After graduating from college, he wanted to spend time in Austin, Texas, but the pull of Wichita proved to be stronger. It was the culture and principles embedded in the company, as well as the opportunity to learn from leaders like his father, that ultimately brought him back.
“I’d give my father a tremendous amount of credit here in keeping us in Wichita and showing me the value of being in Wichita versus somewhere else,” said Chase, adding, “It’s hard to explain to others the value of Wichita and the culture and the people.”
But for Charles, the explanation was relatively simple — the roots of the company and its principle-based approach run incredibly deep here. Wichita is where he first began forming the ideas behind his management philosophy, Market-Based Management®, which would ultimately become Principle Based Management™.
“Speaking of Wichita, some of the people living here, long gone, are the ones who got me started on these principles,” he said, crediting those early influencers with setting him on a path that has led him to today.
Investing in Wichita's future
And the work continues, developing projects locally to break down divides and bring people together. Chase said his North Star is unifying people, particularly through the power of music, and has focused on developing a downtown music venue and festival, and supporting ongoing events as a catalyst for broader community transformation.
The greater vision for all this work is to attract and retain talent in Wichita and close real gaps in the community — all while reaching out to local business leaders for their input. That momentum is already drawing outside attention. Chase pointed to a recent Wall Street Journal article that recognized Wichita as an affordable, desirable place to live, noting that “people are talking about this place.”
“We want to learn from Wichita,” he said. “We want to learn from business leaders, what are your ideas and the things that we can do to really make this work and make it successful?”
It all comes back to principles
Circling back around to the principles in closing, Charles shared what his own father taught him about integrity and hard work, saying that he would be proud of how he has taken these principles to another level — and that’s exactly how he feels about what Chase is doing.
“What a blessing that is … there’s nothing better than to see the principles you’ve taught your children, that they are taking it to another level and are contributing more than you did.”
Chase followed in closing with a message of his own, encouraging those in the audience to take just a few of these principles and apply them to their business immediately.
“Try one or two of these today,” he said, “and you’ll see the thinking change. You’ll see transformation in your business, your life, maybe even in the community as well.”
Learn more about the 41 principles shared in “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader” here. Or, put them to work immediately with the Principle Companion, an AI-powered coaching tool offering principle-based guidance for your toughest questions.
