Exploring the Dynamics of Disruption

Why did you choose to attend this program?

I have a lot of interest in understanding where growth comes from, how we might be disruptive, and how to think about disruption risks. My colleagues and I look at disruption as a key growth enabler for our business. I attended this program with a colleague who leads our marketing program because we were seeking answers to some of the same questions. We wanted to return to work with a plan for taking the business forward based on insights from the program.

Was it beneficial to attend the program with a colleague from your company?

Definitely. This program teaches theories in a different kind of language, so it was extremely beneficial to have a partner who could also understand the language. We saw the program's materials through different lenses, and that was helpful as well. And when we returned to the office, it was easier to develop an action plan and get buy-in because we were able to create and sell the plan together.

How has the program influenced the way you think about disruption?

When I came here, I thought about disruption simply in terms of jobs that needed to be done and discovery-driven planning. My understanding was enriched as the program allowed me to go much deeper—not only into the theory, but also into examples of what works and what doesn't.

Did the format of the program make it easy to learn?

Yes. At the beginning of every class, the professors asked us to consider how the concept that we were talking about related to previous concepts that we had learned. Throughout the week, the case studies and practice exercises built upon each other, and the small-group discussions enabled us to look at each case study through a theoretical lens. By the end of the week, I felt more like an expert and I understood how it all fit together.

How did the learning environment contribute to the program?

I was delighted by the variety of experiences and businesses represented by the participants. Each person in my group brought a unique experience, a unique business challenge, and a unique lens through which they looked at the theories. That was extremely enriching and accelerated the learning process. We became a community in a very short period of time, and I was humbled that people were so eager to learn from and teach each other. After one class in particular, a fellow participant stayed behind to further discuss the topic with me. The participants and the professors were very generous, and that was powerful.

What aspect of the program surprised you the most?

I expected that HBS would offer great depth in terms of the case studies, research, and theories. But what surprised me is how the professors created an environment that enabled us to study, practice, and learn so much in such a short period of time. They took purely academic theories and framed them in a business context, and that made them very relatable. I was extremely surprised at how deep we were able to go.

How would you summarize the program's value for someone who is considering it?

It was a huge commitment to walk away from my work for a week. That was extremely challenging. But I’m so glad I did. If I had tried to learn this independently, I would not have had such a rewarding experience. There were so many benefits that emerged from spending time with the group and the professors, and from practicing the different concepts. For each concept, we broke into groups and posed very specific questions that forced us to think deeply and practice the concept. We had to come to class prepared to present our ideas. We had to actually roll up our sleeves and complete work as a group. That would have been very hard to do on my own.