10 Little Rules for Navigating Your DBA Journey

The Doctor of Business Administration path is demanding, yet candidates often navigate its unique challenges without a clear roadmap. This candid guide decodes the DBA journey, from shaping purpose and conducting research to balancing well-being, ethics, and life after the defense. Each chapter pairs an authentic story with one memorable rule, practical guidance, and a concrete next step. The concept aligns naturally with the 10 Little Rules editorial model of turning personal journeys into shared wisdom, and extends the series into professional and executive education, with a clearly defined individual readership and an attractive institutional market among DBA programs, doctoral cohorts and executive education communities. Dr. Valrie Grant and Dr. Kelly Burich, founders of The DBA Chronicles (DBAChronicles.org), have found there still remain nuances and confusion around needs, expectations, and outcomes in DBA and Executive DBA programs. This book is the companion many doctoral candidates wish they had: a candid guide to purpose, research, progress, community, ethics, well-being and life after the defense. DBA candidates occupy an unusual space: They are accomplished practitioners, but they are also novice researchers. They must continue leading organizations, supporting families and managing complex lives while learning a new language of theory, method and scholarly contribution. Traditional research texts explain the mechanics, while personal memoirs may offer inspiration. This book occupies the valuable middle ground: It is academically respectful, emotionally honest and immediately usable. The book is designed to help deliver on one central idea: The DBA is not simply a degree to complete. It is a journey that teaches experienced professionals to question what they know, investigate what matters and turn credible evidence into meaningful action. Primary audience is professionals considering a DBA; students currently navigating coursework, candidacy or dissertation; and recent grads seeking to translate their research and new identity into meaningful professional impact. The primary audience is individual DBA candidates. These are generally experienced professionals who are investing significantly in their doctoral journey and are purchasing the book themselves. This book also makes a perfect gift from employers sponsoring doctoral candidates, conference organisers, doctoral coaches and family members supporting the doctoral candidate on their journey. A DBA Chronicles Publication, and part of the 10 Little Rules book series. Perfect for readers who enjoyed these books: The Doctor of Business Administration: Taking Your Professional Practice to the Next Level by Michel Kalika and Stephen Platt (Ideas for Leaders Publishing). Blackwell's A Guide to Professional Doctorates in Business and Management edited by Lisa Anderson, Jeff Gold, Jim Stewart, and Richard Thorpe (SAGE Publications). BookPal How to Successfully Complete Your DBA by Michel Kalika (EMS Éditions) On Being a Scholar-Practitioner: Practical Wisdom in Action by Maria Piantanida, Marilyn Llewellyn, and Patricia L. McMahon (Learning Moments Press). A Survival Kit for Doctoral Students and Their Supervisors by Lene Tanggaard and Charlotte Wegener (SAGE Publications).

With over 20 years of experience in government and consulting roles, Dr. Valrie Grant specializes in geospatial innovation, business management, and research. She contributes to projects that utilize geospatial technology to enhance sustainable development and address environmental challenges in SIDS. Her work reflects a commitment to leveraging geoinformatics to support transformative change. Dr. Grant is also the founder/co-founder and host of two impactful podcasts, "Mapping the Conversations" and "DBA Chronicles," where she and her guests explore the intersections of geospatial technology, sustainability, and business leadership. Through strategic advisory roles and leadership positions, she aims to foster collaboration and drive innovation in geospatial solutions for a better future.