Taking Time to Learn, Reflect, and Grow
In preparation for stepping up to the COO position in his company, Michael Schuch decided it was the right time for executive education. He first considered an executive MBA, but instead chose to expand his business and leadership skills in the Program for Leadership Development (PLD) at Harvard Business School (HBS).
What were some of your first impressions of PLD?
The first module was off campus. We received great materials and the learning was structured well, but I was really looking forward to the first on-campus module. When I arrived at HBS, I was impressed by the professionalism of the whole organization—from the way we were welcomed when we arrived to the assistants and the professors. The program is structured very professionally and all the pieces fit together perfectly.
At PLD, you work really hard, but you also have time to go running after the long days, take yoga classes, or play sports, which creates a good balance between mental and physical training.
How did the case method help you learn?
When I went to university, the curriculum was mainly based on books and lectures, not on case studies. I'd totally underestimated the great learning that takes place through the cases. Digging into the different industries and learning the different aspects of a business based on the cases, I began to understand the similarities across industries and also some of the specifics. That worked great for me, because I've been in the same industry my whole career.
What did the faculty contribute to your learning?
Each professor brought a surprising degree of enthusiasm into the class. While you might think of a particular subject as dry or complicated, the faculty always presented it in a unique and exciting way—even finance and macroeconomics. They engaged with the class and everyone got involved. It was not an environment where you switched off and let the hours pass by. The energy in the room kept your attention.
What was it like to learn alongside peers?
A very valuable part of the program was the multicultural experience presented by interaction with great people from different countries all over the world. Even though we had many different cultures in the group, we found a lot of common ground. I was surprised to realize how beneficial it was to work together, both in the living group and in the classroom. It was an amazing experience.
When you're studying and discussing the cases, you're working hard, and the discussion is quite serious, but it's not dry—it's exciting and fun. Everyone brings their experience and perspective from their country or culture, which adds color to the individual topics.
How was your living group experience different from other participants' experience?
I started in PLD 19, but unfortunately I was not able to finish the program with my cohort. So I completed the program in PLD 20, which meant I entered a new living group. Of course, it was difficult, but at the same time, it gave me an opportunity and an advantage: the chance to work with two different groups of people. When you are with your living group, you grow together and you become a great team because you learn each other's strengths and weaknesses and appreciate the value each person brings to the group. Everyone contributes and it generates a certain dynamic.
I joined a completely new living group after the first three modules. My new living group members were fantastic; I not only felt, but became, a part of their group as well. Through that experience, I realized that each living group has its own unique culture and dynamics. When a new person enters the group, everyone needs to adjust a little, and I was very fortunate that the second group worked out very well too.
How would you summarize the program's value?
Each participant brings very specific work experience and has strengths in a particular area. In this program, you come together with people from different backgrounds and are forced to take a big step back and reflect on your strengths, your weaknesses, and your leadership style. In addition, you broaden your toolset—something that's not easy to do when you're at work. The program provides a very broad picture of how to approach different challenges in a business environment and in your career. I would definitely do it again, and I'm planning to attend PLD Module 5.
The best part of the program—and also the most fun—was the network and the friendships you build with all the people in your living group and in the program as a whole. By the end, you've connected with everyone. Not all of those connections will last, but some will add a great deal to your life.