Inside the Mind of John Baum

What brought you to TCU?
I came to the Neeley School to help make the BNSF Next Generation Leadership program a world-class academic program for undergraduate students. We have an outstanding team of faculty and staff who work hard to provide these Neeley students with a solid understanding of what it takes to be a successful business leader.

Describe your typical day as the Professor of Professional Practice in Leadership ..
My first priority is working with the Next Generation students, teaching classes and working with them in co-curricular activities. I also work with managers and executives in the executive development programs offered through the Tandy Center for Executive Leadership. This provides me with a very nice blend of youth and experience. 

What is the most interesting part of your job?
It is rewarding to watch students realize that leading themselves and then leading others is a challenging and demanding responsibility. Once they get it, I witness a change in their commitment to meeting the challenges in front of them. It is a genuine pleasure to work with students who are smart, motivated, and know what they want in their careers and in life.

Describe your most humorous experience on the job .
One of my hobbies is racquetball. Last year, I played an early game at the recreation center and my playing partner whacked me on the forehead with his racket. I was forced to teach my 9:00 class with a big bandage on my forehead to stop the bleeding. I got a lot of interesting (and humorous) comments from my students about my misfortune.

What do you think is Neeley's greatest asset?  
I am impressed with the quality of leadership in the Neeley School. We are led by people who are committed to strong values and principles and have a vision of what the school can become in the near future. They also have a strong sense of community and caring for the people in the organization. They help make Neeley a fun and rewarding place to work.

What do you think will be Neeley's biggest challenge in the coming year?
Challenges almost always boil down to finding enough resources to do all of the good things that are possible. We are in the process of making some fundamental decisions about where to focus our resources to do the most good for our students and other stakeholders in the Neeley community. These choices will shape our future..

What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I live on a small ranch in Corinth, just south of Denton. My favorite animal is a small donkey named Quarter (because he is not worth a quarter). Even though he is small, he can be heard for miles when he brays to tell me that it is time for his dinner.