Authentic Leader Development
- Upcoming Sessions
- (1 of 2)
- Dates: 03–08 DEC 2023
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $16,000
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
Application Due: 21 NOV 2023
- Dates: 12–17 MAY 2024
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $16,000
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
Application Due: 01 MAY 2024

"The CME programs work very well together and have enhanced my skills as a negotiator, a team leader, and a board member."

"HBS provides support to participants long after a program has ended."
Summary
Companies need to be developing leaders who exhibit high standards of integrity, take responsibility for their actions, and make decisions based on enduring principles rather than short-term expedience. The best leaders are authentic leaders—people whose inner compass guides their daily actions and enables them to earn the trust of subordinates, peers, and shareholders. In this program, you will uncover, analyze, and strengthen the unique characteristics that enable leading with authenticity and purpose—and become the type of outstanding leader you most admire.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
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Summary
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Companies need to be developing leaders who exhibit high standards of integrity, take responsibility for their actions, and make decisions based on enduring principles rather than short-term expedience. The best leaders are authentic leaders—people whose inner compass guides their daily actions and enables them to earn the trust of subordinates, peers, and shareholders. In this program, you will uncover, analyze, and strengthen the unique characteristics that enable leading with authenticity and purpose—and become the type of outstanding leader you most admire.
This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Find your own path to authentic leadershipFind your own path to authentic leadership
- Develop greater confidence in your own capabilities
- Recognize and address your blind spots as a leader
- Learn from feedback and the challenges you encounter daily
- Lead an integrated life that enables you to balance work, home, and other pursuits
Learn to adjust to new conditions and empower othersLearn to adjust to new conditions and empower others
- Lead with integrity through difficult and pressure-filled challenges
- Adapt your leadership style to different scenarios, while remaining true to your values and purpose
- Balance your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to find the "sweet spot" of your capabilities
- Become an empowering leader who fosters effective teamwork and helps individuals at all levels of the organization to realize their leadership potential
Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Find your own path to authentic leadership
- Develop greater confidence in your own capabilities
- Recognize and address your blind spots as a leader
- Learn from feedback and the challenges you encounter daily
- Lead an integrated life that enables you to balance work, home, and other pursuits
Learn to adjust to new conditions and empower others
- Lead with integrity through difficult and pressure-filled challenges
- Adapt your leadership style to different scenarios, while remaining true to your values and purpose
- Balance your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations to find the "sweet spot" of your capabilities
- Become an empowering leader who fosters effective teamwork and helps individuals at all levels of the organization to realize their leadership potential
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for senior executives who want to enhance their leadership ability and prepare to take on greater leadership responsibilities within their organization.
The program welcomes individuals or teams. Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork, amplify the program's impact, and enable participants to continue supporting one another's leadership development after the program ends.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
This program is designed for senior executives who want to enhance their leadership ability and prepare to take on greater leadership responsibilities within their organization.
The program welcomes individuals or teams. Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork, amplify the program's impact, and enable participants to continue supporting one another's leadership development after the program ends.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Learning and Living at HBS
When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, individual exercises, small group discussions, and classroom debates, you will explore the qualities of leading with authenticity as well as the deeply personal core of your own leadership.
During the program, you will participate in a Leadership Development Group (LDG) with seven other participants. This powerful peer-based forum enables you to discuss the personal roots of your leadership in an intimate setting. Exercises that promote individual reflection and peer exchange will provide an opportunity for you to evolve your approach to leadership in a supportive environment that encourages more openness and self-reflection than might be possible in a large class setting.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to create your personal leadership development plan—a blueprint for continuing to grow as an authentic leader after the program ends.
Please note that you will be asked to complete certain exercises before the program begins to help you maximize the value of your time on campus. Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
-
What You Will Learn
-
Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, individual exercises, small group discussions, and classroom debates, you will explore the qualities of leading with authenticity as well as the deeply personal core of your own leadership.
During the program, you will participate in a Leadership Development Group (LDG) with seven other participants. This powerful peer-based forum enables you to discuss the personal roots of your leadership in an intimate setting. Exercises that promote individual reflection and peer exchange will provide an opportunity for you to evolve your approach to leadership in a supportive environment that encourages more openness and self-reflection than might be possible in a large class setting.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to create your personal leadership development plan—a blueprint for continuing to grow as an authentic leader after the program ends.
Please note that you will be asked to complete certain exercises before the program begins to help you maximize the value of your time on campus. Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Examining your leadership journeyExamining your leadership journey
- Analyzing your formative experiences to find critical lessons that inform your authentic leadership
- Recognizing and overcoming personal impulses that can lead to problematic leadership behavior
- Learning how the most difficult times in your life can shape your passion to lead
- Using your experience to shift from an "I" to a "We" orientation
Discovering your authentic leadershipDiscovering your authentic leadership
- Becoming more self-aware by embracing candid feedback from others
- Clarifying and living your values, while establishing ethical boundaries
- Understanding your motivations and capabilities, and finding the point where they align
- Building your support team and finding leadership mentors
- Integrating the different "buckets" of your life—family, community and friends, and career
Putting your authentic leadership into actionPutting your authentic leadership into action
- Identifying your purpose and establishing it as a cornerstone of your leadership approach
- Leading by example—creating a culture of authenticity, high standards, and shared responsibility
- Empowering others to lead—exploring six approaches that work
- Optimizing your leadership effectiveness by understanding common leadership styles
- Choosing the leadership style most appropriate to your authentic leadership
- Creating a plan to help you achieve your leadership potential
Examining your leadership journey
- Analyzing your formative experiences to find critical lessons that inform your authentic leadership
- Recognizing and overcoming personal impulses that can lead to problematic leadership behavior
- Learning how the most difficult times in your life can shape your passion to lead
- Using your experience to shift from an "I" to a "We" orientation
Discovering your authentic leadership
- Becoming more self-aware by embracing candid feedback from others
- Clarifying and living your values, while establishing ethical boundaries
- Understanding your motivations and capabilities, and finding the point where they align
- Building your support team and finding leadership mentors
- Integrating the different "buckets" of your life—family, community and friends, and career
Putting your authentic leadership into action
- Identifying your purpose and establishing it as a cornerstone of your leadership approach
- Leading by example—creating a culture of authenticity, high standards, and shared responsibility
- Empowering others to lead—exploring six approaches that work
- Optimizing your leadership effectiveness by understanding common leadership styles
- Choosing the leadership style most appropriate to your authentic leadership
- Creating a plan to help you achieve your leadership potential
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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.
Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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 CochairsBaker Foundation Professor of Management Practice
HBS Unit:Organizational Behavior
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.6%Africa13%Asia Pacific17%Europe6%Latin America13%Middle East45%North America6%Africa13%Asia Pacific17%Europe6%Latin America13%Middle East45%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.16%Financial11%Nonprofit Services9%High Technology7%Real Estate / Construction7%Education7%Professional Services7%Health Care6%Manufacturing4%Chem / Pharma / Bio4%Raw Materials / EnergyTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.16%Financial11%Nonprofit Services9%High Technology7%Real Estate / Construction7%Education7%Professional Services7%Health Care6%Manufacturing4%Chem / Pharma / Bio4%Raw Materials / EnergyExperienceExperienceYears WorkedYears WorkedExperienceYears WorkedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or more

"The CME programs work very well together and have enhanced my skills as a negotiator, a team leader, and a board member."
