The College of Business experience that sparked a career transformation
When Kyle Payne talks about his career, it’s clear that transformation is a recurring theme — not just in his work but in how he thinks about learning itself. Today, he’s a leadership consultant with Development Dimensions International and the founder of his own Chicago-based consultancy, Quality Culture. But before earning a Ph.D. in Human Capital Management from Bellevue University, Payne’s professional world looked very different.
“I started in the structural steel industry,” he recalls. “My work focused on welding engineering and quality management systems. I loved the technical side but felt drawn to explore the human side of organizations — how people grow, learn and lead.”
That curiosity led him to pursue graduate studies, where he discovered Bellevue University’s College of Business and its distinctive approach to developing working professionals.
“Bellevue University stood out because it supported nontraditional students,” Payne said. “The Ph.D. in Human Capital Management allowed me to study the world of work without the rigid prerequisites of other programs. I could integrate what I’d learned in adult education and apply it immediately in my professional life.”
That integration proved pivotal. The research and writing skills Payne refined during his dissertation became the foundation for his consulting work and later his groundbreaking studies on ethical followership — how employees can resist unethical requests from leaders. “The dissertation process helped me develop an identity and voice as a scholar,” he said. “I learned not just how to think scientifically but how to write and connect authentically with others.”
Payne credits the College of Business faculty for cultivating that confidence. “Feedback was the differentiator,” he said. “Confidence doesn’t come from slogans or shortcuts. It comes from knowing your capabilities and that comes from feedback. My professors were insightful and consistent in helping students recognize both their strengths and opportunities for growth.”
That same spirit of reflection now shapes Payne’s work as a facilitator and coach. Whether he’s guiding senior leaders through complex decisions or teaching emerging managers how to communicate ethically, he draws on the transferable skills that defined his College of Business experience: research, critical thinking and curiosity.
“Despite all the talk about data-driven decision making, many organizations still lack the research skills to make informed choices,” he says. “That’s where my Bellevue University education makes a difference – it taught me to approach problems with evidence and intellectual humility.”
For current students considering a career pivot or advanced degree, Payne offers straightforward advice: be intentional and trust your curiosity. “There are countless reasons to change careers or go back to school, but only you can define what success looks like. Be honest about your motivations. Embrace curiosity as your guide. You’ll get plenty of advice from others about what’s marketable or trendy, but ultimately, you need to find your own voice — and listen to it.”