ABOUT dr. GEORGE BARBER
Over more than a decade in government, George has led complex public procurement operations, built and developed teams, navigated organizational change, and worked within the realities of public institutions where leadership must balance accountability, service, relationships, and results. His professional experience has given him a practical view of leadership, not simply as a theory or position, but as work that is experienced every day by the people leaders are responsible for serving.
George earned his doctorate in Public Administration from Liberty University, where his research examined leadership development training in governmental organizations and its relationship to employee engagement. His research reinforced a belief that has shaped much of his professional philosophy: effective leadership is developed through intentional practice, self-awareness, relationships, communication, trust, and a genuine commitment to the growth of others.
Long before his career in public service, George learned many of those lessons through athletics. He was selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Angels organization and later continued his professional baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles organization and internationally. The experiences of competing, being released, rebuilding, adapting, and beginning again continue to influence how he thinks about resilience, accountability, preparation, identity, and leadership.
Today, George speaks to professional and public-sector audiences about leadership, communication, employee development, organizational culture, and the responsibility that comes with leading others. His approach brings together academic research, executive experience, athletics, and the lessons learned from both success and failure.
At the center of his philosophy is a simple belief:
Leadership is a commitment to the service of others.
He created The Standard as a place to explore what that belief looks like in practice; the conversations, relationships, decisions, expectations, mistakes, and everyday moments that determine how people experience our leadership.
The Standard is written for people responsible for people.
One thoughtful idea each week about leadership, communication, professionalism, and public service.
One thought. Once a week.