Five Questions with Robert Olinger
Robert Olinger is an assistant teaching professor in the Management and Entrepreneurship academic area at the KU School of Business. Olinger brings a breadth of knowledge to the school as a former assistant professor at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and industry experience in various management roles.
Olinger earned his doctoral degree in philosophy from Drake University and his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Grand View University. At KU, Olinger leads courses in organizational behavior, strategic management and human resource management.
What got you interested in your field, and what is the most rewarding part of being involved in it?
When I was in college, I took an HR management course, and the textbook just made me fall in love with HR. I still have it on my shelf 20-plus years later. That set me on the path of pursuing HR roles during my service in the Iowa National Guard, which turned out to be the most rewarding years of my service.
What is your favorite part about being a Jayhawk?
With less than a semester as a Jayhawk, my favorite part is going to the football games and how my 4-year-old daughter wants to take a picture with every Jayhawk statue she sees around town.
What would you see yourself doing if you weren’t a professor?
Back in college, when I was falling in love with HR, I envisioned myself owning and operating an HR consulting company that consisted of client service and project teams lead by HR generalists, with HR specialists and assistants rotating among the teams to grow their expertise. If I weren’t a professor, I would try to do that.
What advice would you give your college self?
Try everything and talk to everyone. I was (still am) a bit of an introvert, so I didn’t take advantage of a lot of opportunities that I should have. If you’re uncomfortable talking to strangers, start with the clerk at the gas station or grocery store. It is a low-stakes opportunity to practice eye contact and engage in small talk, and it usually brightens their day.
If you could require students to read one thing before graduation (outside of your class reading), what would it be and why?
“The Logic of Failure: Recognizing and Avoiding Error in Complex Situations” by Dietrich Dorner. Failure is a great teacher, but how we apply that learning is the key. This book helps readers see complex situations more clearly and how to avoid making the same mistakes again.