Market-leading organizations must constantly innovate, adjust to new business conditions, and seize opportunities before competitors do. Focused on leading organizational change, this program explores how to create a nimble organization that balances innovation with performance—and experimentation with financial stability. You will return to your company prepared to build change strategies that inspire organizational change and drive corporate success.

This program was developed through a unique collaboration with the Stanford Graduate School of Business and is also offered at that institution.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

Summary

This program was developed through a unique collaboration with the Stanford Graduate School of Business and is also offered at that institution.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

Key Benefits

Delving into the challenges of leading and managing change, this program prepares you to drive organizational evolution and innovation as the business environment rapidly evolves. You will gain new insight into the strategies used by top global companies to eliminate roadblocks to change—and improve your ability to become an effective agent of corporate change and organizational renewal.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive

Anticipate, evaluate, and proactively respond to external shifts
Analyze disruptive technologies as both threats and opportunities
Build and lead more effective change strategies

Nurture innovation and agility across your organization Nurture innovation and agility across your organization

Diagnose organizational problems that hinder innovation
Embed new ways of doing things within your corporate culture
Build a shared vision of success around change initiatives

Promote organizational flexibility from the top down Promote organizational flexibility from the top down

Recognize how leadership styles and senior team characteristics affect change
Make better decisions about change initiatives—even with insufficient information
Develop internal communication networks essential to driving initiatives forward
Help your leadership team develop the skills of "change champions"

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

Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive

Anticipate, evaluate, and proactively respond to external shifts
Analyze disruptive technologies as both threats and opportunities
Build and lead more effective change strategies

Nurture innovation and agility across your organization

Diagnose organizational problems that hinder innovation
Embed new ways of doing things within your corporate culture
Build a shared vision of success around change initiatives

Promote organizational flexibility from the top down

Recognize how leadership styles and senior team characteristics affect change
Make better decisions about change initiatives—even with insufficient information
Develop internal communication networks essential to driving initiatives forward
Help your leadership team develop the skills of "change champions"

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 at companies of all sizes and stages—from current market leaders to fast-growing midsize competitors to dynamic emerging companies.

HBS gives admission preference to senior management teams composed of four to eight individuals. Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact on your organization.

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

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Inside the Classroom

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

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

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

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for senior executives at companies of all sizes and stages—from current market leaders to fast-growing midsize competitors to dynamic emerging companies.

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

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Inside the Classroom

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

We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?

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

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.

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. 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

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

In a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, group discussions, and project-oriented working groups, you will tackle the challenges of leading organizational change from the diverse perspectives of innovation, organizational structure and culture, leadership, and risk management. Studying the implementation of proven models, you will discover practical approaches that balance short-term success with long-term innovation.

Working each day in small groups, you will focus on a project related to a specific challenge you face in your organization. Exchanging insights with peers and a faculty facilitator, you will explore common problems, diagnose performance gaps, strengthen your judgment, and develop an action plan for driving successful change

What You Will Learn

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Understanding the roadblocks to change Understanding the roadblocks to change

Avoiding organizational inertia and falling victim to past successes
Discovering how performance is affected by industry standards, dominant designs, technological substitution, and disruptive technologies
Gaining insight into how technology cycles drive organizational evolution and innovation

Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving

Understanding the relationship among strategy, culture, and execution
Identifying your current cultural challenges and areas for change
Creating a culture that values both stability and exploration
Configuring an organization to support your strategies, objectives, and vision
Developing the right human resource capabilities

Crafting the right leadership style Crafting the right leadership style

Shaping innovation, learning, and change by cultivating your leadership style and behavior
Knowing which levers can shape organizational capabilities and how to use them
Juggling contradictory pressures
Inspiring your senior team to effectively manage change

Enabling innovation through strategy and execution Enabling innovation through strategy and execution

Identifying the processes that create successful innovations
Working with managers to tailor strategies for a dynamic business world

Becoming an ambidextrous organization Becoming an ambidextrous organization

Aligning structure and management approach to the challenge at hand
Managing for short-term efficiency by emphasizing stability and control
Spurring long-term innovation through risk-taking and experimentation

Winning through innovation: the senior team's role Winning through innovation: the senior team's role

Creating highly differentiated units within an integrated organization
Succeeding through a clearly articulated common vision, careful team composition, and the right system of rewards

Sourcing knowledge through open innovation Sourcing knowledge through open innovation

Managing technological change in firms and communities through distributed innovation systems
Capitalizing on the emergence of open source software and collective intelligence for innovative product development
Finding and incorporating knowledge from outside the organization

Designing service excellence Designing service excellence

Refining your organization's approach to designing, managing, and improving service experiences
Leading service innovation from the multiple perspectives of customers, employees, and owners
Delivering on customer promises while creating value for broader stakeholders

Key Topics

Understanding the roadblocks to change

Avoiding organizational inertia and falling victim to past successes
Discovering how performance is affected by industry standards, dominant designs, technological substitution, and disruptive technologies
Gaining insight into how technology cycles drive organizational evolution and innovation

Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving

Understanding the relationship among strategy, culture, and execution
Identifying your current cultural challenges and areas for change
Creating a culture that values both stability and exploration
Configuring an organization to support your strategies, objectives, and vision
Developing the right human resource capabilities

Crafting the right leadership style

Shaping innovation, learning, and change by cultivating your leadership style and behavior
Knowing which levers can shape organizational capabilities and how to use them
Juggling contradictory pressures
Inspiring your senior team to effectively manage change

Enabling innovation through strategy and execution

Identifying the processes that create successful innovations
Working with managers to tailor strategies for a dynamic business world

Becoming an ambidextrous organization

Aligning structure and management approach to the challenge at hand
Managing for short-term efficiency by emphasizing stability and control
Spurring long-term innovation through risk-taking and experimentation

Winning through innovation: the senior team's role

Creating highly differentiated units within an integrated organization
Succeeding through a clearly articulated common vision, careful team composition, and the right system of rewards

Sourcing knowledge through open innovation

Managing technological change in firms and communities through distributed innovation systems
Capitalizing on the emergence of open source software and collective intelligence for innovative product development
Finding and incorporating knowledge from outside the organization

Designing service excellence

Refining your organization's approach to designing, managing, and improving service experiences
Leading service innovation from the multiple perspectives of customers, employees, and owners
Delivering on customer promises while creating value for broader stakeholders

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

Charles A. O'Reilly III

Stanford University Graduate School of Business:

Frank E. Buck Professor of Management

Read Full Bio

Michael L. Tushman

Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Ryan W. Buell

Finnegan Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Prithwiraj Choudhury

Assistant Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Gary P. Pisano

Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Lakshmi Ramarajan

Anna Spangler Nelson and Thomas C. Nelson Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

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

Charles A. O'Reilly III

Stanford University Graduate School of Business:

Frank E. Buck Professor of Management

Read Full Bio

Michael L. Tushman

Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Ryan W. Buell

Finnegan Family Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Prithwiraj Choudhury

Assistant Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Gary P. Pisano

Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Lakshmi Ramarajan

Anna Spangler Nelson and Thomas C. Nelson Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

12%

Africa/Middle East

23%

Asia/Pacific

25%

Europe

Latin America

35%

North America

12%Africa/Middle East

23%Asia/Pacific

25%Europe

5%Latin America

35%North America

Industry Representation

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

24%

Financial

11%

Nonprofit Services

Manufacturing

Health Care

High Technology

13%

Professional Services

10%

Other

Utilities / Telecom

Raw Materials / Energy

Retail Services

Industry Representation

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

24%

Financial

11%

Nonprofit Services

Manufacturing

Health Care

High Technology

13%

Professional Services

10%

Other

Utilities / Telecom

Raw Materials / Energy

Retail Services

Experience

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Participating Companies Have Included:

Ameriabank

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Fiji National Provident Fund

Heritage Bank

Hewlett Packard

Kernel

National Bank of Kuwait

Red Bull

Sampath Bank Plc

Swisscom

UNIQA Insurance Group

Your Peers Expand Your Learning: Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

Global Perspective

Experience the world in your classroom.

12%

Africa/Middle East

23%

Asia/Pacific

25%

Europe

5%

Latin America

35%

North America

12%Africa/Middle East

23%Asia/Pacific

25%Europe

5%Latin America

35%North America

Industry Representation

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

24%

Financial

11%

Nonprofit Services

8%

Manufacturing

7%

Health Care

7%

High Technology

13%

Professional Services

10%

Other

7%

Utilities / Telecom

7%

Raw Materials / Energy

6%

Retail Services

Industry Representation

Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.

24%

Financial

11%

Nonprofit Services

8%

Manufacturing

7%

Health Care

7%

High Technology

13%

Professional Services

10%

Other

7%

Utilities / Telecom

7%

Raw Materials / Energy

6%

Retail Services

Experience

Experience

Years worked

Years worked

Experience

Years worked

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Less than 10 yearsLess than 10 years

10-14 years10-14 years

15-19 years15-19 years

20-24 years20-24 years

25-29 years25-29 years

30-34 years30-34 years

35-39 years35-39 years

40 years or more40 years or more

Participating Companies Have Included:

Ameriabank

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Fiji National Provident Fund

Heritage Bank

Hewlett Packard

Kernel

National Bank of Kuwait

Red Bull

Sampath Bank Plc

Swisscom

UNIQA Insurance Group

Apply Download Brochure

More Admissions Information

Leadership Comparison Chart

Compare programs at-a-glance to find what's right for you.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Leadership Comparison Chart

Compare programs at-a-glance to find what's right for you.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Program Advising team

Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Related Programs

Leading Change and Organizational Renewal

"I walked away with a greater sense of how to live, exist, and thrive within a culture."

"I walked away with a greater sense of how to live, exist, and thrive within a culture."

Summary

Summary

DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Drive the changes your organization needs to thriveDrive the changes your organization needs to thrive Dropdown down

Nurture innovation and agility across your organizationNurture innovation and agility across your organization Dropdown down

Promote organizational flexibility from the top downPromote organizational flexibility from the top down Dropdown down

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

Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive

Nurture innovation and agility across your organization

Promote organizational flexibility from the top down

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

Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

Understanding the roadblocks to changeUnderstanding the roadblocks to change Dropdown down

Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solvingBuilding an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving Dropdown down

Crafting the right leadership styleCrafting the right leadership style Dropdown down

Enabling innovation through strategy and executionEnabling innovation through strategy and execution Dropdown down

Becoming an ambidextrous organizationBecoming an ambidextrous organization Dropdown down

Winning through innovation: the senior team's roleWinning through innovation: the senior team's role Dropdown down

Sourcing knowledge through open innovationSourcing knowledge through open innovation Dropdown down

Designing service excellenceDesigning service excellence Dropdown down

Understanding the roadblocks to change

Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving

Crafting the right leadership style

Enabling innovation through strategy and execution

Becoming an ambidextrous organization

Winning through innovation: the senior team's role

Sourcing knowledge through open innovation

Designing service excellence

The HBS Advantage

The HBS Advantage

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

"I walked away with a greater sense of how to live, exist, and thrive within a culture."

"I walked away with a greater sense of how to live, exist, and thrive within a culture."

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive Drive the changes your organization needs to thrive

Nurture innovation and agility across your organization Nurture innovation and agility across your organization

Promote organizational flexibility from the top down Promote organizational flexibility from the top down

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

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Understanding the roadblocks to change Understanding the roadblocks to change

Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving Building an organizational architecture to encourage managerial problem-solving

Crafting the right leadership style Crafting the right leadership style

Enabling innovation through strategy and execution Enabling innovation through strategy and execution

Becoming an ambidextrous organization Becoming an ambidextrous organization

Winning through innovation: the senior team's role Winning through innovation: the senior team's role

Sourcing knowledge through open innovation Sourcing knowledge through open innovation

Designing service excellence Designing service excellence