Closing Keynote: Adam Kinzinger Talks Truth, Courage and Optimism for America

Former U.S. Congressman and Air National Guard Officer Adam Kinzinger impressed upon 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting attendees the importance of telling hard truths as an essential leadership skill in the Closing Keynote on Monday morning.

Kinzinger said that, while he knows the country is in for a tough period leading up to the election in November, he's hopeful when he looks to the future of our country. He stressed the U.S. has been through hard times before and come back stronger on the other side, and he predicted we're in a similar period now, adding that he thinks the country and its citizens are desperate for someone to come in and heal the system and the hurt it's suffered in recent years.

One of the things holding us back is the incentive structure in place that puts individuals above the country as a whole. Kinzinger's passion for service has been a guiding principle throughout his life, first when he served in the Air Force, and then as a U.S. Congressman representing Illinois. He said he learned early on that to be a great leader, it's not about being in charge, but instead about taking care of those in your charge.

He's stressed that doing the right thing, telling the truth, and caring for others sometimes comes with a price. After joining the January 6 Committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol, he was shunned by family and friends who saw his actions as a betrayal. Kinzinger emotionally said that he prides himself on having done the right thing even knowing that there would be consequences, which now allows him to hold his head high, especially to his young son.

Kinzinger said he's learned in the past few years just how much our political leaders use fear to drive people apart, but he's also been able to see just how much Americans have in common. We all want to live for something bigger than ourselves, he said, and we all believe in democracy.