The demands of today's stakeholders have risen significantly, and what is expected of senior leaders is quickly evolving in terms of their mission (more than profit), the scope of their responsibilities (beyond the four walls of the business), and how they should lead (not as superheroes and not just as good business leaders, but also as great human leaders).

In this program, you will prepare to become an authentic, purposeful leader who can step up to more challenging roles and lead effectively in this new era. You will develop new capabilities and learn new tools and approaches on how to orient your business around a noble, meaningful and credible purpose, set strategies that can help the chosen purpose come to life (addressing the needs of your company's varied stakeholders in the process), and create an environment that can unleash the potential of your organization. In parallel, the program will guide you in a profoundly personal exploration that builds your self-awareness and emotional intelligence, delving into the core of your experience to strengthen your capacities as a great purposeful, authentic human leader, not just a great business leader.

Summary

Key Benefits

Through a combination of in-person and virtual learning, this program explores key challenges leaders confront as they seek to pursue a purpose-driven strategy, leveraging lessons from leading CEOs and companies. As you dig deeply into what it means for executives to lead effectively in today's business environment, you will discover how to move purpose from words on a page and planning sessions to reality, by reflecting the purpose across day-to-day operations and creating an environment that can result in surprisingly strong performance.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges

Lead in an era in which the mission of leaders has broadened considerably
Change the way you think about your company and your role as a leader
Leverage your motivations as an individual as you work to align your company around a purpose
Become a leader who is guided by a greater purpose, a set of values, and key leadership principles
Become effective at making a company's purpose come to life and unleashing extraordinary performance
Enhance your effectiveness in dealing with a volatile, uncertain world

Make a noble purpose come to life Make a noble purpose come to life

Define a corporate purpose beyond creating shareholder value, or, if you already have an established purpose, assess its effectiveness
Reflect your company purpose in revised strategies and processes
Incorporate purpose into all decision-making
Create a culture that empowers employees to support the corporate purpose in every action they take

Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership

Shape an environment that can allow every employee to be the biggest, best version of themselves and drive exceptional outcomes
Inspire employees to connect what drives them with their work
Increase employee engagement and commitment, and in turn generate new levels of contribution
Uncover untapped creativity and innovation as employees strive to do their job better

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds and industries
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business and personal challenges

Key Benefits

Details

Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges

Lead in an era in which the mission of leaders has broadened considerably
Change the way you think about your company and your role as a leader
Leverage your motivations as an individual as you work to align your company around a purpose
Become a leader who is guided by a greater purpose, a set of values, and key leadership principles
Become effective at making a company's purpose come to life and unleashing extraordinary performance
Enhance your effectiveness in dealing with a volatile, uncertain world

Make a noble purpose come to life

Define a corporate purpose beyond creating shareholder value, or, if you already have an established purpose, assess its effectiveness
Reflect your company purpose in revised strategies and processes
Incorporate purpose into all decision-making
Create a culture that empowers employees to support the corporate purpose in every action they take

Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership

Shape an environment that can allow every employee to be the biggest, best version of themselves and drive exceptional outcomes
Inspire employees to connect what drives them with their work
Increase employee engagement and commitment, and in turn generate new levels of contribution
Uncover untapped creativity and innovation as employees strive to do their job better

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds and industries
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business and personal challenges

Who Should Attend

Senior executives one or two levels from the CEO at large companies in any industry with a sizable workforce, who are looking to embrace broader responsibilities in a challenging business environment.

Attendance by two or more representatives of your organization will facilitate broader impact by creating a common vocabulary and helping the participants support each other in their purpose-driven journey. (Please note that executives from the same company will be placed into different discussion groups.)

Related Programs
Executives who wish to strengthen their global business acumen on top of the themes of this program may consider attending the Leading Global Businesses program.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

Related Programs
Executives who wish to strengthen their global business acumen on top of the themes of this program may consider attending the Leading Global Businesses program.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in a blended Executive Education program at Harvard Business School, you get the best of both worlds—a powerful learning experience that combines highly immersive in-person modules on the HBS campus with highly interactive virtual modules. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.

Both case-based formats are led by HBS faculty, who share their latest research and engage you in a dynamic exchange of ideas with a global community of peers. Each module is carefully designed to maximize the impact, enable immediate application, and accelerate leadership growth.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Learning and Living at HBS

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Through a rich learning experience that includes four days on the HBS Campus, virtual small group meetings, and live online classes, this program will help you guide your organization in a rapidly changing business landscape, pursue a purpose-driven strategy serving diverse stakeholders, and drive strong performance. Cases examine iconic company transformations of the last decade from the perspective of executives in crucible moments, while special videos created for this program feature interviews with top executives about their purposeful leadership journey. Throughout the program, you will be prompted to rethink traditional leadership models in the context of purpose and consider the significant value purpose can deliver in today's business environment.

What You Will Learn: Through a rich learning experience that includes four days on the HBS Campus, virtual small group meetings, and live online classes, this program will help you guide your organization in a rapidly changing business landscape, pursue a purpose-driven strategy serving diverse stakeholders, and drive strong performance. Cases examine iconic company transformations of the last decade from the perspective of executives in crucible moments, while special videos created for this program feature interviews with top executives about their purposeful leadership journey. Throughout the program, you will be prompted to rethink traditional leadership models in the context of purpose and consider the significant value purpose can deliver in today's business environment.

Program Format

This program's structure facilitates ongoing insights into how you can lead from a place of purpose:

Module 1: The program begins with a four-day intensive in-person module, featuring cases, lectures, and daily Purposeful Leaders Group discussions, which provide the opportunity to explore your leadership path with peers in a supportive small-group environment.
Module 2: Self-reflection into your purpose and your personal challenges continues in two virtual meetings with your Purposeful Leaders Group between Module 1 and Module 3.
Module 3: You will reunite with faculty and peers for a two-day virtual module that resumes your exploration of purpose as a fundamental element of modern leadership.

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.

Program Format

This program's structure facilitates ongoing insights into how you can lead from a place of purpose:

Module 1: The program begins with a four-day intensive in-person module, featuring cases, lectures, and daily Purposeful Leaders Group discussions, which provide the opportunity to explore your leadership path with peers in a supportive small-group environment.
Module 2: Self-reflection into your purpose and your personal challenges continues in two virtual meetings with your Purposeful Leaders Group between Module 1 and Module 3.
Module 3: You will reunite with faculty and peers for a two-day virtual module that resumes your exploration of purpose as a fundamental element of modern leadership.

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Leading self Leading self

Revisiting your life story, including your key crucibles
Reflecting on what drives you and your values
Identifying or refining your personal purpose—why do you work?
Evolving your leadership style in the pursuit of purpose
Leveraging authentic leadership practices as you guide your company in pursuit of a greater purpose
Becoming a leader who leads from a place of purpose and with humanity

Defining a corporate purpose Defining a corporate purpose

Understanding the role and intent of a corporate purpose
Exploring the characteristics of an inspiring corporate purpose
Understanding the process for determining a corporate purpose; considering how ambitious to be with your purpose
Articulating a meaningful corporate purpose that prompts employees to think about their work in new ways
Embracing all stakeholders in the definition and pursuit of your company's purpose; addressing the inevitable tensions among stakeholders to create win-win-win outcomes
Building the connection between your company's ESG (environmental, social, and governance) strategy and practices, and its purpose

Putting a noble purpose to work Putting a noble purpose to work

Making the chosen purpose the cornerstone of the strategy
Evolving the company's initiatives accordingly, deciding what activities to stop, evolve, continue, or start
Exploring what markets to serve and what products/services to launch to align with the purpose
Overcoming operational challenges
Measuring performance in the context of your purpose

Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose

Understanding and applying the key ingredients of human magic, such as meaning, human connections, psychological safety, autonomy, a learning environment, and a growth mindset
Making your corporate purpose real and relatable; translating purpose into understandable day-to-day behaviors
Uniting employees, partners, customers, and other stakeholders around the purpose
Defining the company's culture in support of its purpose and strategy
Allowing everyone at the company to write themselves into the corporate purpose "story"

Leading with purpose in a new era Leading with purpose in a new era

Recognizing and accepting the new rules of engagement for today's companies, particularly in a multi-stakeholder world
Deciding when and how to visibly engage in societal issues
Exploring how the pandemic has prompted new leadership requirements and approaches
Fostering inclusion and diversity as a key element of business success
Helping your company develop the agility needed in a digital, constantly evolving business landscape
Leading through external or internal crises

Key Topics

Leading self

Revisiting your life story, including your key crucibles
Reflecting on what drives you and your values
Identifying or refining your personal purpose—why do you work?
Evolving your leadership style in the pursuit of purpose
Leveraging authentic leadership practices as you guide your company in pursuit of a greater purpose
Becoming a leader who leads from a place of purpose and with humanity

Defining a corporate purpose

Understanding the role and intent of a corporate purpose
Exploring the characteristics of an inspiring corporate purpose
Understanding the process for determining a corporate purpose; considering how ambitious to be with your purpose
Articulating a meaningful corporate purpose that prompts employees to think about their work in new ways
Embracing all stakeholders in the definition and pursuit of your company's purpose; addressing the inevitable tensions among stakeholders to create win-win-win outcomes
Building the connection between your company's ESG (environmental, social, and governance) strategy and practices, and its purpose

Putting a noble purpose to work

Making the chosen purpose the cornerstone of the strategy
Evolving the company's initiatives accordingly, deciding what activities to stop, evolve, continue, or start
Exploring what markets to serve and what products/services to launch to align with the purpose
Overcoming operational challenges
Measuring performance in the context of your purpose

Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose

Understanding and applying the key ingredients of human magic, such as meaning, human connections, psychological safety, autonomy, a learning environment, and a growth mindset
Making your corporate purpose real and relatable; translating purpose into understandable day-to-day behaviors
Uniting employees, partners, customers, and other stakeholders around the purpose
Defining the company's culture in support of its purpose and strategy
Allowing everyone at the company to write themselves into the corporate purpose "story"

Leading with purpose in a new era

Recognizing and accepting the new rules of engagement for today's companies, particularly in a multi-stakeholder world
Deciding when and how to visibly engage in societal issues
Exploring how the pandemic has prompted new leadership requirements and approaches
Fostering inclusion and diversity as a key element of business success
Helping your company develop the agility needed in a digital, constantly evolving business landscape
Leading through external or internal crises

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.

Faculty Cochairs

Hubert Joly

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Leonard A. Schlesinger

Baker Foundation Professor

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Amy C. Edmondson

Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Ranjay Gulati

Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Organizational Behavior

Entrepreneurial Management

Read Full Bio

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.

Faculty Cochairs

Hubert Joly

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

Leonard A. Schlesinger

Baker Foundation Professor

HBS Unit:

General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Amy C. Edmondson

Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Ranjay Gulati

Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration

HBS Units:

Organizational Behavior

Entrepreneurial Management

Read Full Bio

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Apply

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Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Apply

Download Brochure

Program Finder

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Related Programs

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Growing as a Purposeful Leader

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challengesBecome a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges Dropdown down

Make a noble purpose come to lifeMake a noble purpose come to life Dropdown down

Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadershipUnleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership Dropdown down

Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network Dropdown down

Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges

Make a noble purpose come to life

Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership

Expand your personal and professional network

Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend

Learning and Living at HBS

Learning and Living at HBS

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

What You Will Learn

Program Format

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

Leading selfLeading self Dropdown down

Defining a corporate purposeDefining a corporate purpose Dropdown down

Putting a noble purpose to workPutting a noble purpose to work Dropdown down

Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purposeCreating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose Dropdown down

Leading with purpose in a new eraLeading with purpose in a new era Dropdown down

Leading self

Defining a corporate purpose

Putting a noble purpose to work

Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose

Leading with purpose in a new era

The HBS Advantage

The HBS Advantage

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

Limited Availability

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

Accepting Applications

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges Become a purposeful leader able to deal with increasing demands and complex challenges

Make a noble purpose come to life Make a noble purpose come to life

Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership Unleash "human magic"—and business results—through purposeful leadership

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Leading self Leading self

Defining a corporate purpose Defining a corporate purpose

Putting a noble purpose to work Putting a noble purpose to work

Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose Creating an environment that unleashes human magic in support of the company's purpose

Leading with purpose in a new era Leading with purpose in a new era