Experience first-hand what it takes to build the culture and capabilities your organization needs to keep pace with rapid change: collaborative problem-solving, innovation, and continuous reinvention.

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

Program Announcement

Thank you for your interest in this program. The December 2024 session currently is near capacity. You may wish to consider applying to the Dec 7 – 12, 2025 session.

To respond to the dramatic shifts in how we work and live, organizations have to be more agile than ever for the opportunity to win. That takes leaders who cultivate and embed an attitude of constant innovation and reinvention.

In Leading and Building a Culture of Innovation, presented jointly with the HBS Leadership Initiative, you'll dive into a lab-style leadership program where you'll hone your ability to generate new ideas, scale successful innovations, and lead creative, collaborative teams.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Set and achieve ambitious goals in periods of heightened complexity 

  • Manage relationships and cultivate an organizational culture that fosters collaboration and innovation 

  • Unleash creative potential at every level of your organization  

  • Innovate to outpace competition  

  • Turn breakthrough ideas into reality 

  • Improve organizational agility to respond to disruption 

  • 6
    days on the HBS campus
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

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

  • General managers leading large-scale organizations or business units 

  • Executives with cross-functional responsibilities 

  • Change management executives 

  • Leaders focused on innovation, R&D, or IT

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.
11%
Africa
19%
Asia Pacific
13%
Europe
6%
Latin America
16%
Middle East
35%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 23%

    Financial

  • 11%

    High Technology

  • 9%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 8%

    Professional Services

  • 6%

    Raw Materials / Energy

  • 5%

    Education

  • 5%

    Manufacturing

  • 5%

    Utilities/Telecommunications

  • 4%

    Communications

  • 4%

    Consumer Products

Experience

Years Worked

  • 6%

    Less than 10 years

  • 10%

    10-14 years

  • 25%

    15-19 years

  • 26%

    20-24 years

  • 17%

    25-29 years

  • 11%

    30-34 years

  • 4%

    35-39 years

  • 1%

    40 or more

Companies That Have Participated

  • Fidelity
  • Google
  • HEB Grocery Store
  • KPMG
  • Microsoft
  • Mitsubishi
  • NASA
  • Nissan
  • Novartis
  • Oracle
  • PwC
  • Swiss Federal Railways

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

  • Headshot of Linda A. Hill

    Linda A. Hill

    Wallace Brett Donham Professor of Business Administration

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

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.