Leading as an LGBTQ+ Executive
- Dates: 23 AUG–12 OCT 2023
- Format: Blended Combines both in-person and virtual learning.
- Locations: HBS Campus, Virtual
- Fee: $14,000
- 23–26 AUG 2023 — Module 1 (HBS Campus)
- 11–12 OCT 2023 — Module 2 (Virtual, Live Online)
- 23–26 AUG 2023 — Module 1 (HBS Campus)
- 11–12 OCT 2023 — Module 2 (Virtual, Live Online)

A Q&A with Faculty Cochairs Caroline Elkins and Frances Frei.
Summary
How can you achieve your potential as an LGBTQ+ executive? In this program, you will discover how to lead more fully, authentically, and effectively, in ways that align with your values and identity. Engaged with a community of peers, you will explore the many facets of leading as an LGBTQ+ executive as well as the dynamics of difference and inclusion today. As you explore emerging research, gain mastery of best practices, and try out new ideas in a supportive and interactive environment, you will evolve as a leader in ways that are fully integrated with your LGBTQ+ experience. You will emerge ready to find deeper fulfillment in your role, lead with greater confidence, and contribute more fully to your organization's success.
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Summary
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How can you achieve your potential as an LGBTQ+ executive? In this program, you will discover how to lead more fully, authentically, and effectively, in ways that align with your values and identity. Engaged with a community of peers, you will explore the many facets of leading as an LGBTQ+ executive as well as the dynamics of difference and inclusion today. As you explore emerging research, gain mastery of best practices, and try out new ideas in a supportive and interactive environment, you will evolve as a leader in ways that are fully integrated with your LGBTQ+ experience. You will emerge ready to find deeper fulfillment in your role, lead with greater confidence, and contribute more fully to your organization's success.
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Lead with authenticity and purposeLead with authenticity and purpose
- Develop a personal leadership style that works for you, your organization, and current business challenges
- Communicate more effectively and build trust with your team, your peers, and your boss
Boost organizational performance by unleashing the power of differenceBoost organizational performance by unleashing the power of difference
- Foster a genuinely inclusive culture that nurtures talent and contributes to higher employee impact and performance
- Enhance collaboration within teams and across the organization
Take charge of your career growth while mentoring othersTake charge of your career growth while mentoring others
- Become more agile at navigating organizational politics
- Develop strategies for identifying and overcoming obstacles to success for yourself and others
- Create and nurture formal and informal developmental relationships with people who are like and unlike yourself
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Lead with authenticity and purpose
- Develop a personal leadership style that works for you, your organization, and current business challenges
- Communicate more effectively and build trust with your team, your peers, and your boss
Boost organizational performance by unleashing the power of difference
- Foster a genuinely inclusive culture that nurtures talent and contributes to higher employee impact and performance
- Enhance collaboration within teams and across the organization
Take charge of your career growth while mentoring others
- Become more agile at navigating organizational politics
- Develop strategies for identifying and overcoming obstacles to success for yourself and others
- Create and nurture formal and informal developmental relationships with people who are like and unlike yourself
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries around 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
- Individuals from any company, industry, or country who have at least 7+ years of professional experience and identify as LGBTQ+
- Roles may range from functional specialists and mid-level managers to leaders of business functions or units
- Particularly appropriate for: Individuals currently in leadership positions or about to take on new leadership responsibilities
- May also be helpful for: Executives responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), talent management, or leadership development, or any managers especially interested in fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact on your organization.
While the program is designed for executives who identify as LGBTQ+ and will be most beneficial to those who identify as such, it is open to all executives who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
- Individuals from any company, industry, or country who have at least 7+ years of professional experience and identify as LGBTQ+
- Roles may range from functional specialists and mid-level managers to leaders of business functions or units
- Particularly appropriate for: Individuals currently in leadership positions or about to take on new leadership responsibilities
- May also be helpful for: Executives responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), talent management, or leadership development, or any managers especially interested in fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact on your organization.
While the program is designed for executives who identify as LGBTQ+ and will be most beneficial to those who identify as such, it is open to all executives who otherwise fulfill the admissions criteria. Please find our policy on nondiscrimination here.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Learning and Living at HBS
When you participate in a blended Executive Education program at Harvard Business School, you get the best of both worlds—a powerful learning experience that combines highly immersive in-person modules on the HBS campus with highly interactive virtual modules. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.
Both case-based formats are led by HBS faculty, who share their latest research and engage you in a dynamic exchange of ideas with a global community of peers. Each module is carefully designed to maximize the impact, enable immediate application, and accelerate leadership growth.
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Learning and Living at HBS
-
When you participate in a blended Executive Education program at Harvard Business School, you get the best of both worlds—a powerful learning experience that combines highly immersive in-person modules on the HBS campus with highly interactive virtual modules. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.
Both case-based formats are led by HBS faculty, who share their latest research and engage you in a dynamic exchange of ideas with a global community of peers. Each module is carefully designed to maximize the impact, enable immediate application, and accelerate leadership growth.
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
Through faculty presentations, interactive simulations, and small-group discussions, you will explore diverse aspects of leadership, management, and organizational behavior. The program will feature new cases, as well as in-person visits by US Senator Tammy Baldwin, actress Anna Deavere Smith, and designer Debbie Millman, with a focus on authentic storytelling and the evolving landscape of difference and inclusion. As you draw insights from timely research, you will discover how other LGBTQ+ leaders have navigated their careers.
As an LGBTQ+ leader, you may have few people in your organization who understand the unique perspective you bring, as well as the particular obstacles you face. In this program, you will have the opportunity to meet an exceptional group of peers with whom you can share your challenges and opportunities as an LGBTQ+ leader.
-
What You Will Learn
-
Through faculty presentations, interactive simulations, and small-group discussions, you will explore diverse aspects of leadership, management, and organizational behavior. The program will feature new cases, as well as in-person visits by US Senator Tammy Baldwin, actress Anna Deavere Smith, and designer Debbie Millman, with a focus on authentic storytelling and the evolving landscape of difference and inclusion. As you draw insights from timely research, you will discover how other LGBTQ+ leaders have navigated their careers.
As an LGBTQ+ leader, you may have few people in your organization who understand the unique perspective you bring, as well as the particular obstacles you face. In this program, you will have the opportunity to meet an exceptional group of peers with whom you can share your challenges and opportunities as an LGBTQ+ leader.
Program Format
This program comprises two modules:
Module 1: In-Person (HBS Campus)
You and your peers will have an opportunity for extensive in-person interaction with one another, with faculty, and with guest speakers. At the conclusion of Module 1, you will return to work where you will complete a self-assessment and apply your new insights in your day-to-day work.
Module 2: Virtual (Live Online)
Shifting to a virtual format, you will rejoin your peers to reflect on how you have applied your learning and bring your questions to the group. You will continue learning from faculty presentations and case studies while also benefiting from online exercises. This virtual module will consist of two fully packed half-day sessions over the Zoom platform. You should expect to spend an additional 2-3 hours preparing for each day’s classes.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute in the class and in small groups.
-
Program Format
-
This program comprises two modules:
Module 1: In-Person (HBS Campus)
You and your peers will have an opportunity for extensive in-person interaction with one another, with faculty, and with guest speakers. At the conclusion of Module 1, you will return to work where you will complete a self-assessment and apply your new insights in your day-to-day work.
Module 2: Virtual (Live Online)
Shifting to a virtual format, you will rejoin your peers to reflect on how you have applied your learning and bring your questions to the group. You will continue learning from faculty presentations and case studies while also benefiting from online exercises. This virtual module will consist of two fully packed half-day sessions over the Zoom platform. You should expect to spend an additional 2-3 hours preparing for each day’s classes.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute in the class and in small groups.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
The LGBTQ+ big pictureThe LGBTQ+ big picture
- Exploring demographics, law, and business representation around the world
- Advancing inclusive government policies and priorities
Your identity, your life, and your leadershipYour identity, your life, and your leadership
- Coming out and connecting with your identity at different stages of life
- Deciding how to tell your story
- Designing a more meaningful life and career
- Managing work/life balance
Your unique approach to personal leadershipYour unique approach to personal leadership
- Drawing strength and confidence from your identity
- Articulating your values and purpose and leading from your authentic self
- Developing and projecting empathy
- Building or rebuilding trust
Fostering inclusion, motivating employees, and boosting organizational performanceFostering inclusion, motivating employees, and boosting organizational performance
- Gaining insights from the latest DEI research and what it means for LGBTQ+ leaders
- Implementing effective DEI efforts while managing risk
- Progressing from diversity to genuine inclusion
- Communicating vision and strategy and inspiring others to do their best work
- Developing employees while holding them accountable
- Modeling inclusion: encouraging and appreciating authenticity in others, celebrating differences, and welcoming diverse perspectives
- Building the LGBTQ+ talent pipeline
Thriving and leading in complex organizationsThriving and leading in complex organizations
- Understanding and managing organizational politics—from large and established to startups and high-growth organizations
- Managing transparency: deciding how and when to share information
- Developing internal networks and finding allies
- Building mentoring relationships—up, down, and sideways—and fostering others' growth
- Improving collaboration at every level
The LGBTQ+ big picture
- Exploring demographics, law, and business representation around the world
- Advancing inclusive government policies and priorities
Your identity, your life, and your leadership
- Coming out and connecting with your identity at different stages of life
- Deciding how to tell your story
- Designing a more meaningful life and career
- Managing work/life balance
Your unique approach to personal leadership
- Drawing strength and confidence from your identity
- Articulating your values and purpose and leading from your authentic self
- Developing and projecting empathy
- Building or rebuilding trust
Fostering inclusion, motivating employees, and boosting organizational performance
- Gaining insights from the latest DEI research and what it means for LGBTQ+ leaders
- Implementing effective DEI efforts while managing risk
- Progressing from diversity to genuine inclusion
- Communicating vision and strategy and inspiring others to do their best work
- Developing employees while holding them accountable
- Modeling inclusion: encouraging and appreciating authenticity in others, celebrating differences, and welcoming diverse perspectives
- Building the LGBTQ+ talent pipeline
Thriving and leading in complex organizations
- Understanding and managing organizational politics—from large and established to startups and high-growth organizations
- Managing transparency: deciding how and when to share information
- Developing internal networks and finding allies
- Building mentoring relationships—up, down, and sideways—and fostering others' growth
- Improving collaboration at every level
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.
Thomas Henry Carroll/Ford Foundation Professor of Business Administration
UPS Foundation Professor of Service Management
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and Director, C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning.
Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration
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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 CochairsThomas Henry Carroll/Ford Foundation Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Business, Government and the International EconomyUPS Foundation Professor of Service Management
HBS Unit:Technology and Operations ManagementFacultyAssistant Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & MarketsSenior Lecturer of Business Administration and Director, C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning.
Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:General Management
