Professor Curtis Odom is an Associate Teaching Professor of Management and Organizational Development, Leader of the Coaching, Mentoring & Sponsorship Institute at The Conference Board, and a Senior Council Member at the Forbes Coaches Council. Professor Odom is an entrepreneur, business owner, best-selling author, and former Fortune 100 executive who teaches, consults, and coaches from his experience of getting results. Educated as a scholar-practitioner at Pepperdine University, Professor Odom’s experience as a management consultant informs both his research, and teaching styles. His teaching philosophy draws from years of consulting work using different techniques such as case analyses, group discussions, simulations, and team exercises. He believes that learning should be experiential and participant-centered and seeks to motivate, inspire, and instill in his students a sense of ownership of their learning journey. Professor Odom's deep passion for teaching is on full display in the classroom. His dynamic style of teaching engages his students in real talk dialogue on how to play the workforce culture game and win. His ability to connect academic content to workplace and workforce context is born of a 20-year industry career in the roles of corporate executive, entrepreneur, management consultant, and executive coach. Prior to his industry and academic careers, Professor Odom served on active duty for 10 years in the United States Navy which included being deployed during Operation Desert Storm.
Education
- EdD Organizational Change, Pepperdine University
- MEd Instructional Design, Wayne State University
- BS Computer Information Systems, Strayer University
Selected Publications
- Nicholson, K. A., Odom, C. L. Taking A Proactive Approach To Change To Secure A Manufacturer's Future. Global Business and Organization Excellence, 38(2), 6-12.
- Odom, C. L. For Campus To Corner Office: How Co-Ops And Internships Can Help You Win In The Workplace. Jacksonville, Florida: Booknology / Adducent, Inc. Publisher
- Odom, C. L. How Young Leaders Can Gain Respect And Influence At Work. Interview published online with Black Enterprise. Read the interview here.
- Odom, C. L. Q&A: Author Curtis Odom on how to Get Gen Z Workers Excited to Work for You. Interview published online with Monster.com.
- Odom, C. L. Use Co-op Programs to Discover What Your Workforce Is Missing. Article published online with TLNT. Read the article here.
- Odom, C. L. 5 Crucial Questions For Building Your Internal Messaging Strategy. Article published online with Ragan. Read the article here.
- Odom, C. L. What Does A Great Leader Look Like? Here's A Checklist. Article published online with TLNT. Read the article here.
- Odom, C. L. How To Lead With Influence Instead Of Authority. Article published online with Ladders. Read the article here.
- Odom, C. L. Why Internships and Co-ops are Crucial to Success. Interview published online with College, Career, Life Blog. Read the interview here.
- Odom, C. L. Millennial workers' job-hopping trend continues as U.S. labor market tightens. Interview published online with Talk Business & Politics. Read the interview here.
- Odom, C. L. Development Is Not Static. Guest article by Dr. Curtis Odom published online with Succeed As Your Own Boss. Read the article here.
- Odom, C. L. Mind The Gap: Getting Business Results In Multigenerational Organizations. Jacksonville, Florida: Booknology / Adducent, Inc. Publisher
- Odom, C. L. Generation X Approved: Top 20 Keys to Effective Leadership. Jacksonville, Florida: Booknology / Adducent, Inc. Publisher
- Odom, C. L. Stuck In The Middle: A Generation X View of Talent Management. Jacksonville, Florida: Booknology / Adducent, Inc. Publisher
Selected Presentations
- Odom, C. L., ” Managing & Leading The Gig Economy Workforce”, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum, Cambridge, MA., June 2018
- Odom, C. L., “The Role of Cultural Fit In Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Top Talent”, NAAAHR National Conference, Philadelphia, PA., October 2014
- Odom, C. L., “Bold Leadership: Creating a Culture Of Innovation”, ADP, Inc., AVS Division Annual Leadership Meeting and Customer Conference, Pomona, CA., July, 2014
- Odom, C. L., “The 5Rs of Talent Management for University Leaders”, MOR Associates Annual Leadership Summit and Conference, Chicago, IL., June, 2013
Research & Teaching Interests
Odom has over 20 years of international experience with Fortune 100 companies in the industries of aerospace and defense, software engineering, insurance and financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare. His focus areas are M&A post-merger integration, management consulting, enterprise change management, and organizational effectiveness as a practitioner, researcher, author, and keynote speaker.
Industry & Academic Experience
Odom is an experienced business transformation interim executive, and acclaimed management consultant who provides pragmatic advice, coaching, support, and guidance to company executives, senior leaders, and management teams. He gets results for his clients by quickly connecting the dots of an organizational culture to unlock the potential of employees, harness intellectual property and proprietary technology, and streamline internal processes to efficiently maximize company potential.
Odom is often called on internationally to lead targeted business transformations to help iconic organizations compete both more effectively and efficiently, or make a strategic pivot. He partners with his clients often during the bold, seismic shifts that an organization must make to both accelerate and execute change and strategic growth beyond typical measures or incremental advancements. Prior to joining the faculty at Northeastern, Odom taught at Suffolk University's Sawyer School of Business.
Services to the Profession
Odom is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth, Alliance of Mergers & Acquisition Advisors, American Mensa, Academy of Management, Association of Change Management Professionals, Strategic Management Society, and Management and Organizational Behavior Teaching Society. Odom's additional academic accomplishments include certification as a diversity practitioner from Cornell University, and completion of the Entrepreneurship Executive Program from The Sloan School at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Awards & Recognition
- Best Teacher Of The Year Finalist, D'Amore-McKim School Of Business, May 2020
- Post-Merger Integration Advisor of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, 2019
- Best Teacher Of The Year Finalist, D'Amore-McKim School Of Business, May 2019
- Post-Merger Integration Advisor of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, 2019
- Post-Merger Integration Advisor of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, 2018
- Best Teacher Of The Year Finalist, D'Amore-McKim School Of Business, May 2018
- Post-Merger Integration Advisor of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, 2017
- Management Consulting Firm of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, March 2017
- Post-Merger Integration Advisor of The Year (USA), Corporate LiveWire, London, UK, 2016
- University Outstanding Alumni of the Year, Strayer University, Washington, DC, 2011
- Boston “40 Under 40” Honoree, Boston Business Journal, Boston Massachusetts, 2010