Nicolais Chighizola

Welcome!

 

I am a management researcher studying power, leadership, teams and intragroup conflict. I earned my PhD in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland, Smith School of Business.
I am currently on the 2025-2026 academic job market.​

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My research explores three interrelated questions:

• How can team members navigate the power dynamics that unfold in their everyday work?

• How can leaders exercise and leverage power to lead teams more effectively?

• How can organizations construct team environments that channel power productively? ​​

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I employ a multi-method approach in my research, incorporating experience sampling studies, field surveys, and laboratory experiments.​

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I have taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses on leadership and organizational behavior at the United States
Air Force Academy and Air University, consistently earning
top teaching evaluations (5.8/6.0) and distinction as 
a top-ranked instructor.

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I earned my BS in Political Science from the United States
Air Force Academy. Prior to pursuing academia, I  served as
a pilot and officer in the U.S. Air Force, gaining experience that continues to shape my research.

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Let's connect! Email: nicolais.chighizola@afacademy.af.edu