On Leadership with Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.

There is a crucial link between effective leadership and a positive attitude. Those who excel in their jobs start each day with a good attitude. But leaders have a different challenge. It’s not enough for them to maintain a positive attitude, they must also communicate that positivity to their people every day. 

Networking has taken on somewhat of a negative connotation in recent years and is often characterized as opportunistic and shallow. In truth, life is all about relationships, and successful leaders develop a strong network of peers and colleagues. 

A key principle of leadership is acting the part-- leaders should be friendly and approachable, but they should always “stay on the leadership platform” by maintaining a command presence. In this episode, Dr. Hawkins discusses the importance of maintaining a leadership identity and mindset.

Failure to delegate undermines the leader’s effectiveness because staff members go underutilized, and the leader’s time is spent doing a job that team members should do. In this episode, Dr. Hawkins shares how leaders can help their team members spread their professional wings and fly and prepare them for success. 

Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, was well known for his commitment to values and integrity in his business practices. In this episode, Dr. Hawkins looks at the Iife of Mr. Cathy and shares five ways leaders can develop ethics and integrity. 

From its founding in 1887 as a training college for teachers, to its current role as a global institution, leadership has been a part of Troy University’s culture from the beginning. In this episode, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. looks at how TROY trains the next generation of leaders around the world, and the one characteristic that all successful leaders share—a willingness to take responsibility. 

From Booker T. Washington to John Lewis, Alabama has been the home of many African American leaders who have made lasting contributions to this state and nation. 

The only constant in life is change, and organizations that fail to adapt to changing times will fail. In this episode, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. looks at how leaders can help teams embrace change and thrive. 

Leaders inspire others to persevere, even when faced with challenges. This week, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. looks at how leaders can develop perseverance in others and inspire teams to finish tasks and accomplish more. 

The classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” is more than just a Christmas tradition—it has some important lessons on leadership and character. 

In this episode, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., looks at the lessons of action and courage that come from one of the most iconic figures of the American Civil Rights Movement—Rosa Parks. 

Leaders today must be prepared for a global society. Learning to appreciate other cultures starts with understanding them, even if that means overcoming old ways of thinking. Dr. Hawkins discusses how Troy University has worked to become “Alabama’s International University” by building bridges of understanding and appreciation around the world. 

As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., knows firsthand the powerful leadership lessons imparted through military service. In this episode, Dr. Hawkins reflects on the leadership traditions of the military and looks at the story of one of Troy University’s most remarkable alumni, Medal of Honor recipient Bennie Adkins. 

Servant leadership means putting the needs of others before yourself. It’s a simple idea that can have powerful implications for leaders. This week, Dr. Hawkins looks at examples of servant leadership from history and shares five ways leaders can take care of their people. 

It’s important for leaders to have a vision—but it is equally important to have a plan to implement that vision. In this episode, Dr. Hawkins shares practical steps for how leaders can go from vision to reality.

Leaders need vision—or as Henry David Thoreau said, “It’s not what you’re looking at that matters, it’s what you see.” In this episode, Dr. Hawkins discusses the importance of vision for leaders, and what we can learn from one of America’s great visionaries—Walt Disney. 

In the premiere episode of “On Leadership,” Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., discusses the great traditions of leadership in American history and the continued need for leaders.