How Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Students Apply Leadership Models to Drive Business Success

• DBA students connect theoretical leadership frameworks with practical business applications to solve complex organizational challenges
• Newman University's DBA program prepares students to apply leadership models from day one through their dissertation-focused approach
• Professionals from diverse fields—from healthcare to social work to data analytics—gain cross-industry perspectives that enhance leadership innovation
• Leadership research conducted by DBA students leads to measurable business improvements and career advancement opportunities
• Newman University offers Kansas' only DBA program with a supportive environment that allows professionals to maintain work-life balance while pursuing doctoral education

Leadership theories only matter when they solve real business problems. DBA students at Newman University stand in a unique position to transform academic leadership models into practical solutions that drive measurable business impact across diverse industries.

Selecting and Applying Leadership Models to Business Challenges

Identifying Organizational Problems Worth Solving

The first step in applying leadership models effectively is identifying business challenges that truly matter. DBA students at Newman University develop the critical thinking skills to distinguish between symptoms and root causes of organizational issues. Rather than addressing surface-level problems, they learn to dig deeper to uncover foundational challenges that, when solved, create cascading positive effects throughout the business.

This problem identification process involves developing what Program Head Larry Straub describes as an "open mindset" that helps break through mental limitations. The program encourages students to question established practices and think differently about business challenges. As students progress through their research, they learn to frame problems in ways that make them researchable through scholarly methods while remaining relevant to practical business concerns.

Matching Leadership Frameworks to Business Contexts

Once meaningful problems are identified, DBA students must select appropriate leadership models to address them. This isn't a one-size-fits-all process—it requires nuanced understanding of both theoretical frameworks and specific business contexts.

Derrek Schartz's dissertation research shows this targeted approach. Studying the motivation of Gen Z salespeople, he discovered that conventional compensation strategies—effective with previous generations—failed to motivate this emerging workforce. He explains:

"What I found out was if I would've hired a Gen Z salesperson today, I would've compensated them incorrectly. I would've probably put them under the same plan as the millennial is under or the baby boomer and said, 'here's the comp plan, go out there and be successful,' and that wouldn't have worked."

This insight demonstrates how DBA students match specific leadership theories to particular business contexts, applying research-based approaches to solve real organizational challenges. By understanding generational differences in motivation, leaders can develop more effective strategies that align with the values and expectations of their workforce.

Gathering Evidence Through Rigorous Research Methods

What distinguishes DBA leadership application from typical business approaches is the commitment to evidence-based decision making. Students develop sophisticated research methodologies to test leadership theories in real-world settings.

Newman University's approach stands out by integrating dissertation research throughout the entire program rather than delaying it until coursework is complete. As Derrek Schartz explains:

"From day one, we were going to the destination of our final dissertation... They start with the end in mind from day one, which is unique."

This integrated approach allows students to collect data, analyze findings, and refine their understanding of leadership models over an extended period, resulting in more thorough and nuanced applications. When preparing for his dissertation defense, Schartz noted, "I've been doing this for three and a half years. I should be ready by now if I'm not, we got an issue."

Implementing Solutions Across Diverse Industries

The diverse professional backgrounds represented in Newman's DBA program create rich opportunities for cross-industry application of leadership models. Students learn from each other's experiences, adapting leadership approaches from one sector to solve problems in another.

This cross-pollination of ideas happens naturally in a program that includes professionals from varied fields. As program director Dr. Larry Straub notes:

"We've got people in so many different professions and majors from social work to data analytics, to business, to hospitals, to entrepreneurs. And we're able to manage all of those dissertations, all of their research."

This diversity creates a learning laboratory where leadership models can be tested across different organizational contexts. A leadership approach that works in healthcare might be adapted for use in data analytics, or strategies from the nonprofit sector might inform solutions in corporate environments.

The Newman University DBA Advantage

Early Dissertation Focus From Day One

Newman University's DBA program stands apart with its distinctive approach to dissertation development. Unlike traditional doctoral programs that often delay dissertation work until after coursework is complete, Newman integrates research preparation from the very beginning.

Derrek Schartz highlights this unique advantage:

"A lot of universities will tell you they'll put you through the courses and then they'll say, 'now go do your dissertation.' And in this case, they started with, 'go do your dissertation, and we're going to walk you through this process, this journey.'"

This early dissertation focus means students can immediately begin applying leadership models to problems they're passionate about solving. Each course contributes directly to their research, creating a seamless integration between theory and practice throughout the program.

Supportive Rather Than Competitive Environment

The program's supportive culture creates an environment where students can take intellectual risks and grow without fear of failure. This contrasts sharply with the competitive, high-pressure atmosphere found in many doctoral programs.

Larry Straub emphasizes this distinction:

"I think what we are hearing the most from people, and this has been our ultimate goal, is that we do doctoral programs different from about anybody else. We build people up, we don't tear them down."

This approach doesn't sacrifice academic rigor. Instead, it creates conditions where working professionals can excel while maintaining their personal and professional commitments. Straub describes it as finding "that goldilock zone where we push them, we force them, and we make them grow, but at the same time, they don't have to detach from their life."

Kansas' Only DBA Program with Fellowship Opportunities

As the only Doctor of Business Administration program in Kansas, Newman University offers unique regional access to doctoral business education. This exclusivity means working professionals in Kansas and surrounding areas can pursue a DBA without relocating or commuting to distant universities.

The program also offers fellowship grants of up to $3,200 per year for qualifying students, making advanced education more affordable. Additionally, a specialized track for "All But Dissertation" (ABD) students helps those who have completed doctoral coursework elsewhere but stalled in the dissertation phase to finally complete their degrees.

Hybrid Model Supporting Work-Life Balance

Newman's hybrid delivery model combines the benefits of online learning with the value of occasional in-person interaction. This flexibility is crucial for working professionals balancing demanding careers, family responsibilities, and doctoral studies.

Derrek Schartz, who teaches in Texas while completing his DBA at Newman in Kansas, explains:

"You can do it part-time. You don't have to go full-time, like a lot of programs once you want to do, and you can be remote. I'm in San Marcos and we do some zoom calls. I come here a couple times a year."

This approach acknowledges the reality of busy professionals' lives while maintaining the collaborative learning that enhances the doctoral experience. Students can participate fully in the program regardless of geographical location, with professors who are "always available, whether it's via email or on the phone."

Diverse Professional Backgrounds Enriching the Experience

The program deliberately brings together professionals from varied fields, creating a rich learning environment where diverse perspectives enhance everyone's understanding of leadership challenges.

As Larry Straub notes:

"The thing I'm most proud of about this Doctor of Business Administration program is we have real wide ditches. So we've got people in so many different professions and majors from social work to data analytics, to business, to hospitals, to entrepreneurs."

Through this cross-pollination of ideas and experiences, students develop more versatile and nuanced approaches to leadership than they might in programs with more homogeneous cohorts. This diversity strengthens their ability to apply leadership models across varied organizational contexts.

Real-World Business Transformations Through Leadership Research

Revolutionizing Sales Team Motivation Strategies

One powerful example of DBA-driven leadership transformation comes from Derrek Schartz's research on motivating Gen Z salespeople. After 30 years in industry, Schartz pursued his DBA to transition to academia and share his knowledge with the next generation of business professionals.

His research revealed that traditional compensation models—highly effective for previous generations—fail to adequately motivate Gen Z sales professionals. "What I found out was if I would've hired a Gen Z salesperson today, I would've compensated them incorrectly," Schartz explains. "I would've probably put them under the same plan that the millennial is under, the baby boomer, and said, 'here's the comp plan and, you know, go out there and be successful,' and that wouldn't have worked."

This insight demonstrates how DBA research directly transforms business practices. By applying leadership models specifically tailored to generational differences, sales managers can develop compensation structures that align with Gen Z values and expectations, create motivational approaches that leverage the unique drivers of younger professionals, and increase retention of valuable young sales talent in competitive markets.

Enhancing Shared Governance in Educational Institutions

The Newman University DBA program encourages students to examine leadership challenges in various organizational contexts, including educational institutions. Leadership research in this area studies how different governance structures affect decision-making and institutional performance.

DBA students investigating leadership in educational settings often discover that departmental goals can overshadow institutional priorities. By applying appropriate leadership models to this challenge, educational institutions can create governance structures that balance departmental autonomy with institutional priorities and develop communication frameworks that build shared understanding across academic silos.

This research demonstrates how DBA students can apply leadership theories to address complex organizational dynamics in non-traditional business settings, creating better alignment between stakeholder interests and organizational goals.

Breaking Down Silos in Corporate Decision-Making

The diverse professional backgrounds in Newman's DBA program create rich opportunities for examining how leadership models can break down organizational silos. When professionals from fields as varied as "social work to data analytics, to business, to hospitals, to entrepreneurs" (as Larry Straub notes) share perspectives, they develop leadership approaches that transcend traditional boundaries.

This cross-pollination of ideas allows students to see how leadership practices that work in one sector might solve challenges in another. By examining leadership frameworks through multiple professional lenses, DBA students develop more nuanced approaches to complex organizational problems.

The scholar-practitioner model emphasized at Newman University encourages students to test leadership theories in their own organizational contexts, providing immediate feedback on what works and what doesn't across different industry settings.

How situational leadership approaches solve real organizational challenges

DBA students learn to apply situational leadership approaches to match the specific needs of their organizational contexts. This adaptive leadership style proves particularly valuable when working with diverse teams or in rapidly changing business environments.

The supportive learning environment at Newman University, where they "build people up, don't tear them down" (as Larry Straub emphasizes), models situational leadership in action. Students experience firsthand how adapting leadership approaches to individual needs can drive better outcomes.

This practical experience with situational leadership helps students develop more flexible, responsive approaches in their own organizations. They learn to adjust their leadership styles based on the specific requirements of different team members and changing business conditions, rather than applying one-size-fits-all approaches.

Practical frameworks for applying servant leadership in corporate settings

Newman University's approach to doctoral education includes many elements of servant leadership—prioritizing student growth and development while maintaining high academic standards. This modeling of servant leadership principles provides students with a lived experience they can transfer to their own leadership contexts.

Students learn to balance pushing for performance with supporting individual development, finding what Larry Straub calls "that goldilock zone where we push them, we force them, and we make them grow, but at the same time, they don't have to detach from their life."

This practical experience with servant leadership helps DBA students develop leadership approaches that build commitment and engagement while driving performance—a balance increasingly valued in contemporary organizations focused on both results and sustainability.

Career Advancement and Business Impact: The DBA Leadership ROI

Quantifiable Career Outcomes for DBA Graduates

The application of leadership models through DBA education delivers measurable career benefits. Derrek Schartz's experience shows the career transformation made possible through DBA education. "It allowed me to get the current job I have," he explains. "Right now, I'm an assistant professor of instruction in Texas State University. Also the assistant director of the Center for Professional Sales."

Schartz's transition from industry to academia demonstrates how the DBA opens new career pathways. As he notes, his DBA has "positioned me in a way for growth within the organization at Texas State or maybe somewhere else that I might end up. So it's positioned me for that second career that I was looking to have."

This career flexibility—whether advancing in current roles, transitioning to new fields, or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures—represents a significant return on the investment in doctoral education.

Measuring Return on Leadership Investment

DBA education represents a significant investment of time, money, and effort. However, the return on this investment comes through the application of leadership models that drive tangible business value. Newman University's approach, integrating dissertation research throughout the program, accelerates this return by allowing students to apply leadership insights in real-time.

The fellowship grants of up to $3,200 per year for qualifying students further enhance the financial ROI of the program. And for ABD (All But Dissertation) students, the specialized track offers a particularly efficient path to completing their doctoral journey.

By focusing on practical, applicable leadership research from day one, Newman University ensures that students see returns on their educational investment throughout the program, not just after graduation.

From Individual to Organizational Transformation

Perhaps the most profound impact of DBA leadership application comes through the ripple effects as individual leadership growth catalyzes broader organizational transformation. As students develop what one participant described as an "open mindset" that questions established practices, they bring this transformative thinking back to their organizations.

Derrek Schartz's research on Gen Z sales motivation illustrates this multiplier effect. By uncovering new approaches to motivating younger salespeople, his research doesn't just improve his own leadership practice—it provides a framework that can transform sales leadership approaches across entire organizations and even industries.

This organizational impact amplifies the value of DBA education far beyond individual career advancement, creating lasting change in leadership practices across diverse organizational contexts.

Creating Competitive Advantage Through Leadership Innovation

In competitive markets, differentiation increasingly comes through leadership excellence rather than product features or pricing strategies. The scholar-practitioner model emphasized at Newman University equips students to develop innovative leadership approaches that create sustainable competitive advantages for their organizations.

By combining the latest research insights with practical business acumen, DBA graduates develop leadership innovations that competitors without this specialized expertise struggle to replicate. The program's emphasis on questioning established practices and developing open mindsets fosters the kind of leadership innovation that drives organizational differentiation.

This capacity for leadership innovation represents a significant competitive advantage in markets where traditional sources of differentiation are increasingly difficult to maintain.

Time-to-Value Analysis of DBA Leadership Education

Newman University's approach to DBA education, with its early dissertation focus and integration of theory with practice throughout the program, accelerates the application of leadership models. As Derrek Schartz explains, "They start with the end in mind from day one, which is unique."

This approach creates faster time-to-value than traditional doctoral programs where research application often waits until program completion. Students begin applying leadership insights in their organizations from their first courses, creating incremental value throughout their educational journey.

The hybrid delivery model further enhances this time-to-value proposition by allowing students to maintain their professional roles while studying. As Schartz notes, "You can do it part-time. You don't have to go full-time, like a lot of programs once you want to do, and you can be remote."

Conclusion

The competitive advantage of research-informed leadership

In today's complex business environment, intuition and experience alone are insufficient guides for leadership decisions. DBA programs create leaders who combine practical wisdom with research-informed insights, resulting in more effective leadership approaches tailored to specific organizational contexts.

Derrek Schartz captures this transformation when he notes, "I thought I knew a lot. Now, I know, I don't know as much as I thought I knew... I've learned a lot both in the curriculum, in my research. It's really changed my perspective in my career."

This research-informed perspective gives DBA graduates a significant advantage in diagnosing business challenges, selecting appropriate leadership approaches, and measuring leadership impact—capabilities increasingly valued in complex organizational environments.

Call to action for business leaders considering DBA education

For business professionals seeking to improve their leadership impact through research-informed approaches, Newman University's DBA program offers a uniquely supportive and practical path to doctoral education. As the only DBA program in Kansas, it provides regional access to world-class business leadership education with a proven record of student success.

The program's distinctive features—early dissertation focus, supportive environment, hybrid delivery model, diverse cohorts, and scholar-practitioner emphasis—create ideal conditions for working professionals to develop advanced leadership capabilities without sacrificing their careers or personal lives.

As program head Larry Straub puts it, "We do doctoral programs different from about anybody else... We try to find that 'goldilock zone' where we push them, we force them, and we make them grow, but at the same time, they don't have to detach from their life."

For leaders ready to transform their organizations through research-informed leadership models, Newman University's DBA program provides the knowledge, skills, and supportive community to make that transformation possible.

Newman University's Doctor of Business Administration program empowers professionals to apply leadership models that drive measurable business success while maintaining the work-life balance essential for sustainable leadership excellence. You can learn more at: https://newmanu.edu/academics/dba-degree