To strengthen the foundation for future success, companies must commit to developing strong leaders at all levels. This program empowers high potential leaders to overcome the increasingly complex challenges that emerge as they take on greater leadership roles. By exploring the pros and cons of diverse leadership styles and strategies, you will expand your ability to build productive teams, champion change, lead in a crisis, and create a culture of high performance.

This high potentials leadership program is presented jointly with the HBS Leadership Initiative.

Summary

This high potentials leadership program is presented jointly with the HBS Leadership Initiative.

Key Benefits

Focused on developing high potential leaders, this program prepares you to embrace the risks and opportunities that accompany new leadership roles. You will examine the hallmarks of visionary leaders, how to communicate complex information and defend your decisions, and what it takes to motivate a diverse workforce. In the process, you will transform your leadership approach and optimize your potential to stay on the fast track throughout your career.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Foster the right leadership qualities in yourself and others Foster the right leadership qualities in yourself and others

Balance your personal leadership style with the demands of the organization without compromising your principles
Adjust your leadership approach as your responsibilities grow and change
Develop the next class of high potential leaders—and inspire leadership throughout the organization

Expand your contribution through stronger leadership Expand your contribution through stronger leadership

Build high-performance teams that are more than the sum of their parts
Lead effectively through situations involving conflict
Receive feedback with an open mind and deliver it with tact
Build internal and external relationships to achieve both professional and personal goals

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

Key Benefits

Details

Foster the right leadership qualities in yourself and others

Balance your personal leadership style with the demands of the organization without compromising your principles
Adjust your leadership approach as your responsibilities grow and change
Develop the next class of high potential leaders—and inspire leadership throughout the organization

Expand your contribution through stronger leadership

Build high-performance teams that are more than the sum of their parts
Lead effectively through situations involving conflict
Receive feedback with an open mind and deliver it with tact
Build internal and external relationships to achieve both professional and personal goals

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 high-impact, top-performing individuals—from vice presidents to program managers and team leaders—with 10–20 years of experience in roles of increasing responsibility.

Companies sending groups of three to five participants from different functions will facilitate collaboration, teamwork, and learning across the organization by creating:

A core group of talented, driven individuals who think about leadership and the challenges confronting emerging leaders
Champions who can reinforce the principles learned in the program across the company
Mentors who can help build the next line of leaders

Participating Companies Have Included:

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Datalogic

Ernst & Young

European Commission

KPMG

Macquarie University

Schneider Electric

Southern California Gas Company

St. Jude Medical

United Bank for Africa

W.W. Grainger

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

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

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

Companies sending groups of three to five participants from different functions will facilitate collaboration, teamwork, and learning across the organization by creating:

A core group of talented, driven individuals who think about leadership and the challenges confronting emerging leaders
Champions who can reinforce the principles learned in the program across the company
Mentors who can help build the next line of leaders

Participating Companies Have Included:

ABN AMRO Bank N.V.

Datalogic

Ernst & Young

European Commission

KPMG

Macquarie University

Schneider Electric

Southern California Gas Company

St. Jude Medical

United Bank for Africa

W.W. Grainger

Dive Deeper into the Experience

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

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

Experience the Case Method in the Classroom

Watch participants debate the issues and present their viewpoints.

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

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.

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.

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.

The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
A letter of reference from someone familiar with your work

To review both the application and letter of reference, download the Application PDF. You can submit your application via our online Application Form or by returning a completed PDF. When submitting the online application form, you will be asked for the email address of the individual serving as your reference. That individual will receive an email with a link to an online letter of reference form.

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).

Letter of Reference

To gain a deeper understanding of your background and your potential as a leader, we require a letter of reference from a senior executive within your organization, a board member, or an HBS graduate familiar with your role and responsibilities. To submit the letter, follow the instructions in your application.

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. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals 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

To apply, you will submit:

The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
A letter of reference from someone familiar with your work

Answering Your Questions

Letter of Reference

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Featuring faculty presentations, case studies, group discussions, workshops, and individual exercises, this high potentials leadership program examines the distinctive characteristics that define successful leaders. The challenging curriculum is designed to spark thought-provoking debate and analysis, as well as self-reflection and personal development. You will return to your company fully prepared to lead with greater vision, drive meaningful change—and empower others to unleash their leadership potential.

The program will continue delivering value after you return to work. To help you achieve the personal and professional goals you set for yourself, the faculty will send you brief follow-up reminders. You also will be able to draw on a network of peers for advice and support as you confront ongoing leadership challenges.

What You Will Learn

Key AreasExpand All Collapse All

Choosing your leadership style Choosing your leadership style

Exploring different leadership styles in action
Assessing the best leadership approach for different situations
Recognizing the distinction between leadership and management
Evaluating the pros and cons of different leadership styles
Overcoming the challenges of co-leadership

Leading teams Leading teams

Building more productive teams
Evaluating and increasing the effectiveness of your team
Understanding the reality of team life—the good, the bad, and the paradoxical
Leading diverse teams and getting the most value from differences
Maximizing creativity in groups

Expressing yourself effectively Expressing yourself effectively

Improving your ability to communicate, whether you're explaining complex information, leading in a crisis, or defending your decisions
Becoming more persuasive by drawing on techniques from the world of theater, storytelling, and public communications

Managing networks Managing networks

Establishing effective networks—and overcoming common obstacles
Viewing your internal and external networks as important leadership assets
Evaluating and maximizing the value of your networks
Managing up—why it's important and how to do it
Addressing the politics of change in constructive ways

Developing talent and leadership Developing talent and leadership

Creating a culture of leadership
Motivating a diverse workforce
Managing performance and nurturing talent
Improving organizational capability, execution, and innovation

Key Areas

Choosing your leadership style

Exploring different leadership styles in action
Assessing the best leadership approach for different situations
Recognizing the distinction between leadership and management
Evaluating the pros and cons of different leadership styles
Overcoming the challenges of co-leadership

Leading teams

Building more productive teams
Evaluating and increasing the effectiveness of your team
Understanding the reality of team life—the good, the bad, and the paradoxical
Leading diverse teams and getting the most value from differences
Maximizing creativity in groups

Expressing yourself effectively

Improving your ability to communicate, whether you're explaining complex information, leading in a crisis, or defending your decisions
Becoming more persuasive by drawing on techniques from the world of theater, storytelling, and public communications

Managing networks

Establishing effective networks—and overcoming common obstacles
Viewing your internal and external networks as important leadership assets
Evaluating and maximizing the value of your networks
Managing up—why it's important and how to do it
Addressing the politics of change in constructive ways

Developing talent and leadership

Creating a culture of leadership
Motivating a diverse workforce
Managing performance and nurturing talent
Improving organizational capability, execution, and innovation

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 Chair

Linda A. Hill

Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration. Faculty chair of the HBS Leadership Initiative. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty chair of "High Potentials Leadership Program" and "Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation."

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Faculty

Joshua D. Margolis

James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration. Head of the Organizational Behavior Unit; faculty chair of the "Program for Leadership Development" and "PLD Module 5."

Read Full Bio

Anthony Mayo

Thomas S. Murphy Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty chair of "Leadership for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio

Ryan L. Raffaelli

Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Richard Hodgson Fellow. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit.

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 Chair

Linda A. Hill

Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration. Faculty chair of the HBS Leadership Initiative. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty chair of "High Potentials Leadership Program" and "Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation."

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Joshua D. Margolis

James Dinan and Elizabeth Miller Professor of Business Administration. Head of the Organizational Behavior Unit; faculty chair of the "Program for Leadership Development" and "PLD Module 5."

Read Full Bio

Anthony Mayo

Thomas S. Murphy Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty chair of "Leadership for Senior Executives."

Read Full Bio

Ryan L. Raffaelli

Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Richard Hodgson Fellow. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit.

Read Full Bio