The Center for Aviation & Aerospace Leadership

...an interesting perspective regarding people in general; "...they want to be a part of a cause that gives them a sense of meaning and significance; they want to belong to something larger than themselves..." I posit that the attraction is more (much more) than mere charisma that draws those yearning for the secret recipe or magic potion that will unlock the answers to life's burning questions. I discovered a term that has become the focus of my interaction with other human beings; Gemeinschaftsgefühl - term is used to describe the state of social connectedness and interest in the well-being of others; community feeling.

I have come to the understanding early in my leadership career, that “True” Leaders are those who focus on their followers and not themselves. In other words, True Leadership is synonymous with “Servant” Leadership. Leaders, who embrace the principles of serving, are then truly free to influence those in their charge for the greater good.

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose..." ~Janis Joplin. We lose our freedom when we allow ourselves to be diverted from our responsibility to those we serve. The key to servant leadership (in my opinion) is to leave the people and the communities we serve, better than they were before we interacted with them. Servant Leadership is infectious. Not doing it? If not, you are missing out on some choice blessings in your life.

"My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done,
Leave countless marks for good and ill ere sets the evening sun,
This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way" -- Anonymous

"Ripples are indicative of Human Life...
...One cannot touch another without being touched back" -- Bobby Martin

Bobby Martin’s recommended Reading List:
Eupsychian Management - Abraham H. Maslow
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box - The Arbinger Institute
Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness - Robert K. Greenleaf
Becoming a Person of Influence - John C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan

Northcentral University Ph.D.

I rounded the last turn and elevating myself over the last few hurdles toward an anticipated Graduation in June 2011 as Dr. Bobby Martin. The journey has been long and uphill, but the finish line is in sight and I have caught my second wind.

Social Responsibility

Just started teaching MGMT 325 Social Responsibility and Ethics for ERAU Jan - Mar 2011. I couldn't help focusing on the social responsibility opportunities that could be applied at the individual level as I watched President Obama's comments to America during the Tucson Memorial Service.

Doctoral Dissertation Progress

I am excited to announce that on Saturday November 6, 2010, that my Dissertaion Proposal was accepted and approved by Northcentral University (NCU). The title of my research is: Toward Gemeinschaftsgefühl: Exploring Subordinate and Manager Perceptions of Trust and Perceptions Regarding Behavioral Change Potential. I will continue to make updates here as the journey to Ph.D. progresses.

Does More Money Improve Levels of Productivity?

In my research, I have posed the question: What would motivate you more at work? Without much thought, a quick response is returned with roughly 90% of respondents stating that increased monetary compensation would motivate them. To this response I pose the next question: If you were given a $5/hour raise today, would you be excited about coming to work tomorrow? The majority of answers to this second question is "NO"; this will still be a bad place to work, but I would have more money. For those reading this Blog, would a monetary increase motivate you to higher levels workplace satisfaction? If not, what would?

Inspiration 2bFree4Life

Leadership Skills for Aviation Professionals

I recently worked along side of Dr. Gary Witt and Dr. Wendy Wolfersteig to conduct Phase II of a research study funded through a grant from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). The research was to develop a short course in Leadership Skills for those transitioning from non-managerial roles into leadership roles within the aviation industry.

Phase I of the research was completed in August 2009 at ERAU's Phoenix Sky Harbor Campus, and we just completed Phase II in September 2010. The resulting data generated during the study are being analyzed and once the results are final, I will provide additional information here. So stay turned.