High Potentials Leadership Program

close up of executives participating in the classroom

Champion organizational change, build productive teams, and create a high-performance culture as you take on greater leadership roles.

The program fee covers tuition, program materials, accommodations, and most meals.

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Program Announcement

Thank you for your interest in this program. The October 2024 session currently is near capacity. You may wish to consider applying to the May 18 – 23, 2025 session.

New leadership roles come with complex challenges—but also opportunities. Optimizing your potential takes vision and the ability to drive meaningful change.

The High Potentials Leadership Program, presented jointly with the HBS Leadership Initiative, shows you how to communicate complex information, defend your decisions, motivate a diverse workforce, and empower others to unleash their leadership potential.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Recognize and hone your personal leadership style 

  • Increase your company's success through effective leadership  

  • Build more productive, creative, and fulfilled teams 

  • Share your views concisely and persuasively 

  • Adjust your leadership approach as your responsibilities grow    

  • Establish and manage internal and external networks  

  • Develop the next class of high-potential leaders  

Program Format

  • 6
    days on the HBS campus
  • 9–12
    hours of pre-program work

Case materials and a detailed schedule will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Who Should Attend

  • Top-performing individuals with 10-20 years of experience in high-responsibility roles 

  • Companies sending groups of 3-5 participants from different functions will benefit from shaping a core group of individuals who:  

    • Are talented, driven, and think critically about leadership and leadership challenges 

    • Champion and reinforce principles learned in this program throughout the entire organization  

    • Act as mentors that can help build the next line of leaders  

Global Perspective

Two female and two male executives sit and smile around a table filled with notes.
3%
Africa
10%
Asia Pacific
20%
Europe
8%
Latin America
13%
Middle East
46%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 15%

    Financial

  • 11%

    Retail Services

  • 10%

    High Technology

  • 9%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 8%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 8%

    Professional Services

  • 8%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 5%

    Health Care

  • 4%

    Manufacturing

  • 3%

    Utilities/Telecommunications

Experience

Years Worked

  • 6%

    Less than 10 years

  • 36%

    10-14 years

  • 32%

    15-19 years

  • 20%

    20-24 years

  • 3%

    25-29 years

  • 2%

    30-34 years

  • 1%

    35-39 years

Companies That Have Participated

  • ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
  • Datalogic
  • Ernst & Young
  • European Commission
  • GE
  • KPMG
  • Macquarie University
  • Schneider Electric
  • Southern California Gas Company
  • St. Jude Medical
  • United Bank for Africa
  • W.W. Grainger

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 Cochairs

  • Linda A. Hill

    Linda A. Hill

    Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration

  • Anthony Mayo

    Anthony Mayo

    Thomas S. Murphy Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

Faculty

The HBS Experience

This in-person program takes place on our storied campus where you'll live and learn at the heart of Boston's vibrant business, academic, and technology hubs.

At HBS, every detail is carefully calibrated to drive your success. Living arrangements and classrooms that spark connection. Unrivaled academic resources. And rejuvenating fitness, dining, and cultural amenities.

View of Executive Education area of HBS campus

The dedicated Executive Education area of campus features multiple classroom buildings and three residence halls around a quad

Residence hall bedroom and bathroom, with woman looking out a window

Our well-appointed residence halls feature private bedrooms, living group lounges, and courtyards to fuel vibrant discussions

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.