This article reports on the collaborative efforts undertaken for systematic statewide support for the recruitment, development, and retention of quality leaders in schools and school districts in Kansas, USA. The author presents the case of a strong sense of "collaboration" that made the difference and stimulated movement from vision making to implementation of a system to provide for support of educational leadership. Collaboration was the recurring theme throughout the planning process that produced the "Kansas Educational Leadership Institute." The right voices had been invited to the conversations. The connection to the policy role of the state agency was essential, but it was the way everyone involved worked together that made the ultimate difference. The result was a structure on its way to being a systematic statewide support for the recruitment, development, and retention of quality leaders in schools and school districts, an outcome that will long matter to all members of the educational community. [Contributors to the work include Debbie Mercer, Professor and Dean of Education, Kansas State University; Mike Mathes, Superintendent, USD 345, Topeka, KS; Tom Trigg, Superintendent, USD 229, Overland Park, KS; and Sharon Zoellner, Superintendent, USD 416, Louisburg, KS.]