Ascending the Peak: Finding the Leader Within—Virtual

Examine the methods and lives of iconic leaders, past and present. Guide your own development through an understanding of how they inspired others and achieved their ambitions.

The program fee covers tuition and program materials.

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Today's organizations need leaders with the courage, determination, empathy, and skills to navigate complex challenges and drive change. We can learn from the wisdom and actions of the world's most transformative leaders who've rallied others toward powerful, positive results.

Ascending the Peak: Finding the Leader Within—Virtual is for mid-career professionals ready to advance their organization—and career—with greater purpose and focus. You'll gain inspiration to be your best self and build a toolbox of perspectives and specific, action-oriented behaviors to help you get there.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Uncover the elements of authentic leadership 

  • Apply learnings from your leadership journey to foster personal growth   

  • Enhance your self-awareness, resilience, courage, and self-discipline 

  • Learn to lead with conviction through challenging times 

  • Create and share a vision that unites and inspires others 

  • Work effectively with others in pursuit of a shared mission

Program Format

  • 8
    live online class sessions
  • 4–5
    hours of weekly self-paced work
  • 9–12
    hours of pre-program work

Participants will receive a detailed schedule and case materials approximately two weeks before the program starts.

Participants will attend live online classroom sessions every Tuesday from 4:30–6:00 p.m. ET.

Each live class will be followed by a 90-minute session with your learning group on Zoom. You will have the option to sign up for your preferred time, either 6:30–8:00 a.m. ET or 6:30–8:00 p.m. ET.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, participants are expected to attend each session, complete all assignments, and contribute to group and class discussions.

Who Should Attend

  • Mid-career professionals looking to advance their leadership skills and careers 

  • Emerging leaders who want to amplify their impact and improve their ability to inspire and motivate team members

Individuals and teams are welcome to attend. Sending two or more representatives from your organization fosters teamwork and amplifies program impact.

Global Perspective

Two female and two male executives sit and smile around a table filled with notes.
14%
Africa
8%
Asia Pacific
18%
Europe
3%
Latin America
6%
Middle East
51%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 20%

    Financial

  • 14%

    High Technology

  • 11%

    Health Care

  • 9%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 9%

    Real Estate / Construction

  • 5%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 5%

    Professional Services

  • 5%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 4%

    Utilities/Telecommunications

  • 2%

    Education

Experience

Years Worked

  • 3%

    Less than 10 years

  • 25%

    10-14 years

  • 23%

    15-19 years

  • 26%

    20-24 years

  • 12%

    25-29 years

  • 10%

    30-34 years

  • 1%

    40 or more

Companies That Have Participated

  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Google
  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory
  • Salesforce
  • Heritage Bank
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Ernst & Young
  • McDonald's Corporation
  • National Australia Bank Limited

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

The HBS Experience

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind.

Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. Additionally, virtual learning groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

HBS professor teaches in the Live Online Classroom

Purposefully designed to bring the classroom to life for both participants and faculty

HBS professor in front of a digital board in the Live Online Classroom

State-of-the-art technology delivers active, engaging learning

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.