Leading Global Businesses
- Dates: 18–23 FEB 2024
- Format: In-Person Learning takes place on the HBS campus or a designated location.
- Location: HBS Campus
- Fee: $16,000

"It was clear that HBS ensures a safe and inclusive environment is at the core of the program experience."

"This was a top-notch experience and any global executive would benefit from attending."
Summary
In an increasingly complex and volatile global world, companies need capable leaders with a unique mix of global business knowledge and personal leadership strengths. In this global leadership program cochaired by HBS faculty Hubert Joly and Krishna Palepu, you'll prepare to become an authentic global leader who can step up to more challenging roles. You'll develop global acumen in realms as diverse as purposeful leadership in a multi-stakeholder world, strategy, customer-centric marketing, the structure, culture and operation of global organizations and teams, and leading in a time of crisis. 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 global business leader.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
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Summary
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In an increasingly complex and volatile global world, companies need capable leaders with a unique mix of global business knowledge and personal leadership strengths. In this global leadership program cochaired by HBS faculty Hubert Joly and Krishna Palepu, you'll prepare to become an authentic global leader who can step up to more challenging roles. You'll develop global acumen in realms as diverse as purposeful leadership in a multi-stakeholder world, strategy, customer-centric marketing, the structure, culture and operation of global organizations and teams, and leading in a time of crisis. 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 global business leader.
This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Design sound global strategies and build strong global organizations Design sound global strategies and build strong global organizations
- Align your organization's strategy and culture with its purpose
- Adapt strategies and operations to the rapidly changing global business context
- Integrate global and local strengths while improving collaboration across cultures
- Create competitive advantage by integrating the best of your organization's global capabilities
Be an effective leader of global teamsBe an effective leader of global teams
- Lead with self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and empathy
- Develop a global leadership team that reflects the diversity of its global customers
- Align people around your company's purpose and values
- Build internal and external networks around the world
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand 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 and personal leadership challenges
Design sound global strategies and build strong global organizations
- Align your organization's strategy and culture with its purpose
- Adapt strategies and operations to the rapidly changing global business context
- Integrate global and local strengths while improving collaboration across cultures
- Create competitive advantage by integrating the best of your organization's global capabilities
Be an effective leader of global teams
- Lead with self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and empathy
- Develop a global leadership team that reflects the diversity of its global customers
- Align people around your company's purpose and values
- Build internal and external networks around the world
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 and personal leadership challenges
Who Should Attend
- Global executives, such as CEOs, presidents, CFOs, and corporate staff officers leading global businesses
- Global marketing executives running global product or marketing groups
- Regional executives or country heads preparing for greater global responsibilities
Attendance by two or more representatives of your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact. (Please note that executives from the same company will be placed into different groups for the personal development portion of the curriculum.)

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
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Who Should Attend
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- Global executives, such as CEOs, presidents, CFOs, and corporate staff officers leading global businesses
- Global marketing executives running global product or marketing groups
- Regional executives or country heads preparing for greater global responsibilities
Attendance by two or more representatives of your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact. (Please note that executives from the same company will be placed into different groups for the personal development portion of the curriculum.)
Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Dive Deeper into the ExperienceSee 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 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.
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Learning and Living at HBS
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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
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
Focused on Bill George's principles of authentic leaders following their True North, Hubert Joly's insights into what it takes to "put a noble purpose to work and unleash human magic," and Krishna Palepu's deep insights into succeeding in emerging markets, this global leadership program includes faculty presentations, case studies on global leaders facing challenges similar to yours, introspective individual exercises, and a dynamic exchange with peers and faculty. You will examine how top global companies and their decision-makers lead effectively across markets and borders. As you explore the qualities of successful global leaders, you will uncover the unique characteristics that comprise your own 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.
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What You Will Learn
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Focused on Bill George's principles of authentic leaders following their True North, Hubert Joly's insights into what it takes to "put a noble purpose to work and unleash human magic," and Krishna Palepu's deep insights into succeeding in emerging markets, this global leadership program includes faculty presentations, case studies on global leaders facing challenges similar to yours, introspective individual exercises, and a dynamic exchange with peers and faculty. You will examine how top global companies and their decision-makers lead effectively across markets and borders. As you explore the qualities of successful global leaders, you will uncover the unique characteristics that comprise your own 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.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Examining your journey to global leadershipExamining your journey to global leadership
- Exploring the experiences that have shaped your character and contributed to your development as a global leader
- Recognizing your personal biases and difficulties in interacting with people in different parts of the world
- Learning how the most difficult times in your life have shaped your values and influenced your worldview
Aligning your leadership purpose and values with colleagues throughout the worldAligning your leadership purpose and values with colleagues throughout the world
- Understanding how people and companies lose sight of their values and often work globally at conflicting purposes
- Mobilizing people in your global organization around a noble purpose and common values
- Addressing the difficult ethical challenges you will inevitably face in global businesses
Evolving your organization from a multinational to an integrated global organizationEvolving your organization from a multinational to an integrated global organization
- Operating a global organization as an integrated enterprise
- Navigating the necessary transitions to become a global organization
- Optimizing cross-border and cross-business collaboration
Winning in emerging marketsWinning in emerging markets
- Developing emerging-market strategies that integrate with your global strategies
- Promoting emerging-market strategies that create sustainable advantages globally
Leading and developing global leadersLeading and developing global leaders
- Exploring the requirements for global leaders in a volatile world
- Developing and managing cross-cultural relationships
Examining your journey to global leadership
- Exploring the experiences that have shaped your character and contributed to your development as a global leader
- Recognizing your personal biases and difficulties in interacting with people in different parts of the world
- Learning how the most difficult times in your life have shaped your values and influenced your worldview
Aligning your leadership purpose and values with colleagues throughout the world
- Understanding how people and companies lose sight of their values and often work globally at conflicting purposes
- Mobilizing people in your global organization around a noble purpose and common values
- Addressing the difficult ethical challenges you will inevitably face in global businesses
Evolving your organization from a multinational to an integrated global organization
- Operating a global organization as an integrated enterprise
- Navigating the necessary transitions to become a global organization
- Optimizing cross-border and cross-business collaboration
Winning in emerging markets
- Developing emerging-market strategies that integrate with your global strategies
- Promoting emerging-market strategies that create sustainable advantages globally
Leading and developing global leaders
- Exploring the requirements for global leaders in a volatile world
- Developing and managing cross-cultural relationships
Personal Development: Your Global Leadership Group and Personal Plan
The journey of becoming an authentic global leader requires understanding your life experiences, especially those outside your country of origin, as well as your personal aspirations, strengths, weaknesses, and biases—along with your greatest crucibles and leadership challenges. Throughout the program, you will explore these influences on your development as a global leader with a small yet diverse group of peers—your Global Leadership Group. You should be prepared for an open and honest discussion with these peers. All information shared during these intimate, supportive exchanges will remain strictly confidential.
The week culminates with the creation of your personal global leadership development plan.
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.
Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration
Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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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 CochairsRoss Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration
HBS Units:Accounting and ManagementGeneral ManagementFacultyEdsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:MarketingNaylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Organizational Behavior
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.2%Africa13%Asia Pacific22%Europe7%Latin America2%Middle East54%North America2%Africa13%Asia Pacific22%Europe7%Latin America2%Middle East54%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedTop Industries RepresentedTop Industries Represented13%High Technology12%Manufacturing11%Health Care10%Consumer Products7%Chem / Pharma / Bio7%Financial5%Professional Services4%Raw Materials / Energy3%Transportation3%Utilities / TelecomTop Industries RepresentedTop Industries Represented13%High Technology12%Manufacturing11%Health Care10%Consumer Products7%Chem / Pharma / Bio7%Financial5%Professional Services4%Raw Materials / Energy3%Transportation3%Utilities / TelecomExperienceExperienceYears workedYears workedExperienceYears workedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or moreLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years40 or more40 or more

"It was clear that HBS ensures a safe and inclusive environment is at the core of the program experience."
