Robert Hicks

Robert Hicks is a Clinical Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas. He is the founding director of the Organizational Behavior, Coaching, and Consulting (OBCC) program and holds a Faculty Associate appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Hicks specializes in executive coaching for Fortune 500 leaders and medical executives.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, University of Southern California (1978)
• MSc in Educational Psychology, University of Southern California (1972)
• BA in Music Education & Performance and Psychology, California State University at Los Angeles (1971)

Dr. Hicks' research and professional work centers on coaching as a leadership style, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and organizational resistance. He has developed executive education programs, including an eMBA in healthcare leadership for UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital. His work bridges clinical psychology and organizational behavior, promoting coaching cultures in high-stakes environments.

His recent publications in the Physician Leadership Journal (2017–2021) explore themes like micromanagement, feedback, narcissism in leadership, and building coaching cultures. These reflect a consistent focus on improving leadership efficacy through psychological insight and coaching methodologies.

Scientific Awards:

• International Prism Award by the International Coach Federation (2006) for advancing coaching as a strategic leadership tool

Dr. Hicks has been instrumental in advising leadership development initiatives and educational partnerships. He has led projects such as the development of an evidence-based coaching framework (2017–2021) and has delivered keynotes at national conferences including the International Coach Federation and academic medical centers. His grants and projects emphasize practical, scalable coaching models for organizational transformation.

He is actively involved in professional organizations including the American Psychological Association (Division 13), Society for Psychologists in Management, and the International Coach Federation. His work continues to shape the integration of coaching into formal leadership development curricula.