Robert J. Potts

Dr. Robert J. Potts is a retired U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant who spent more than 34 years helping people and teams around the world grow, thrive, and do their best work. Along the way he served in operational, strategic, and senior leadership roles, always with a focus on developing people and strengthening the organizations they belong to.

His journey began in April 1987 with basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, followed by technical training as an aviation navigation systems specialist at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. From there, he built a career across avionics, maintenance operations, professional military education, and senior enlisted leadership. He has worn many hats, including shop Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, shift supervisor, First Sergeant, flight chief, superintendent, professional development facilitator, and Command Chief Master Sergeant.

Dr. Potts is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and deployed several times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. After retiring from the Air Force, he went on to earn a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. Today, as a faculty member at Trailhead Leadership Institute, he pairs a lifetime of hands-on leadership experience with a deep understanding of leadership theory.

At the heart of his leadership philosophy are trust, teamwork, communication, accountability, developing others, and achieving meaningful results.