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21st Century Leadership Course by Professors Adams
and Phillips Packed with Bold Leaders

Management Department Chair Jim Phillips greets Col. Barrye Price (’85),
inaugural speaker in 21st Century Leadership in his and Decision and
Information Sciences Chair Dennis Adams’ summer course.

Moderator Adams led engaging conversations with diverse array of leaders.

Is leadership a learned behavior, or something people are born with? The recently concluded summer leadership class at Bauer College, “Leadership for the 21st Century,” took the question out of the theoretical realm and brought it into sharp focus as top leaders, often with University of Houston connections, brought their insights into the classroom. An advanced elective for undergraduates, the class is co-taught by Management Professor and Department Chair James Phillips, and Decision & Information Sciences Professor and Department Chair Dennis Adams. In most of the classes, Adams engaged leaders in conversation, followed by a question and answer session with students.

The classes have been popular with students, and also faculty and staff who frequently sit in. “They get to see that these leaders are human beings who have extremely difficult jobs,” said Adams, who with Phillips recruits the leaders from a variety of kinds of organizations – business, academic, military, religious and political.

The class is in its second season. It comes at a time when many lament a “leadership void,” and typically attracts students who already have a desire to lead, “this little fire within them,” Adams says. The class aims to help students develop and nurture that leadership potential, Adams said.

“It seems that some organizations elevate people to leadership roles with almost no training or preparation,” Adams said. “These people end up wreaking havoc on the companies and the lives of their employees. Not only does that impact the bottom line of the company, it is also the wrong thing to do. Hopefully, as educators, we can help with this.”

As the leaders who came to speak shared how they have handled challenging situations, or shared insights into what has motivated them throughout their career, Bauer students have paid close attention.

Senior management student Vania Garzon attended the class this summer and said she hopes to apply much of what she’s heard from speakers in her own life. “Hearing what decisions they’ve had to make may help prepare me if I’m possibly facing the same type of decision some day,” she said.

Ben Hunter, also a senior management student, said he was struck by the humility that characterized each leader who spoke to the class. Despite the impact they’ve made in their spheres of influence, “The common theme,” he said, “is that they are all really humble.”

University of Houston Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Donald J. Foss; Reverend William Lawson of Wheeler Baptist Church; and Earl Cummings (‘91), CEO of BTS Team all spoke on the topic. Joellyn Townsend, (’98) Vice President for Leadership & Management Development at Metropolitan Life, described how the company engineered a corporate culture turnaround that has resulted in increased earnings. Aylwin Lewis, (’76, MBA ’90), concluded the series with his thoughts on servant leadership. The Chicago-based executive considers Houston home, making his appearance even more special.

WISDOM FROM THE TOP, LEADERS ON LEADING

Aylwin Lewis (’76, MBA ’90)

On the need to be authentic and transparent when it comes to your value system:

“By going public with your values, it forces you to stand up to them to have credibility.” “Pick a company that allows you to bring your whole self.”

“You want to be in an environment where you don’t compromise your personal values.”

On the wisdom of taking on tough assignments:

“It forces you to do your best work.”

On the first time he realized he could be a leader:

His high school football coach warned him not to goof off, saying, “People follow you, so I need you to behave.”

On “Servant Leadership”:

“It’s never about you. It’s about the task.” “Leadership is a real privilege. No one forces you to be a leader. There’s a two-way relationship between the leader and the people you are trying to lead.” “Use your platform to do the most good.”

On the responsibilities of leadership:

“When you mess up at the top, you mess up a lot of lives.”

Dr. Donald J. Foss, University of Houston SVP of Academic Affairs and Provost

On what makes a good leader:

“Understand the mission and goals of the unit. Then understanding how to marshal the resources in helping to meet those goals. I find that leadership is both a social and intellectual action.”

On where do we find good leaders:

“People who have in their character structure a social service drive and that they want to be helpful. These are people who have no interest in themselves and the reward structure.”

Key skills for a good leader:

“Resilience and ability to believe in what you are up to and good communication.”

The Rev. William Lawson, pastor emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

On motivation for leaders:

“You have chosen to go to the university and take business courses that will allow you to succeed materially. My hope is you have more than that in mind, that you will participate in making a business that will be more just, more fair, not just merely profitable.”

On Bauer students’ uniquely global perspective:

“This room is a picture of the future… I don’t see us dealing with race relations, but with social problems that transcend ethnicity or religion.”

On his lowest point as a leader:

When Lawson became self-satisfied (and a bit conceited) after a successful building campaign, he said, an elderly woman in the church congregation set him straight. “Yes, she knocked me down and bruised my face, but it helped me to see that nothing you do has been done alone.”

John McNabb, founder and CEO of Growth Capital Partners, LP, and chair of the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board

On his definition of leadership:

“Leadership for me is someone who cares enough to do more than their fair share…I care enough to be of help.”

Joellyn Townsend, ('98) Vice President for Leadership & Management Development at MetLife, Inc.

On education:

“I loved my UH education and I brag about it all the time – even when I go to Harvard.” Colonel Barrye Price, (’85), Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

On honoring our mentors or teachers (Price also holds an MA and Ph.D. from Texas A&M):

“Greatest compliment is to call your professor ‘teacher’. Every time I meet with students I am blown away.”

On Ted Bauer:

“He wasn’t focused on his success…he gave back to create opportunities.”

Favorite quote from Jackie Robinson:

“Your life is not important except for the impact it has on another life.”

By Julie Bonnin

Showcasing Leadership (above): Col. Barrye Price, Donald J. Foss, Rev. William Lawson,
Earl Cummings, John McNabb and Aylwin Lewis at Bauer.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

About the Bauer College of Business

The C.T. Bauer College of Business has been in operation for more than 60 years at the University of Houston main campus. Through its five academic departments, the college offers a full-range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business. The Bauer College is fully accredited by the AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In August 2000, Houston business leader and philanthropist Charles T. (Ted) Bauer endowed the College of Business with a $40 million gift. In recognition of his generosity, the college was renamed the C.T. Bauer College of Business.