Fitting the Pieces Together

What brought you to PLD?

I applied to PLD in order to fill gaps in my business knowledge outside my particular area of expertise. I was seeking a skill set, not a credential. PLD enabled me to obtain what I needed without taking two years off or studying at night for years to earn an MBA.

My background is mainly in public affairs and marketing, and I've served in very specific functional leadership roles. I wanted to gain a broader perspective on other functions in an organization. I wanted to understand what my peers do, but even more importantly, I wanted to understand how all the pieces fit together to drive an organization forward.

How did the program compare with your expectations?

PLD definitely exceeded my expectations. It certainly helped me expand my knowledge base in a number of business areas. But more unexpectedly, it exposed me to a broad range of cultures and professions and gave me the opportunity to examine my own working style in a supportive environment.

One strategy presentation really stands out in my memory. We learned how the lettuce industry was facing slipping sales and seeking new approaches. The solution was to cut up the lettuce and put it in bags. Sales took off, and that's how most lettuce is now sold. I was struck by the way a simple idea can revolutionize a market or the way an organization functions.

Through many PLD moments like that one and through conversations with peers, I gained a great deal of perspective. I learned so much more about business structure and strategy and started to think more about general management for the long term.

How did your living group contribute to the learning experience?

I interacted with an incredible group of people at PLD. We shared the attitude that we were there to learn from each other, to grow, and to expand our networks. People came from all over the world—from South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

I enjoyed discussing cases with my group and learned much more than I had expected. When I initially read through a case—and most of them revolved around unfamiliar industries—my first thought would be, "This is interesting, but will I be able to apply any of it to my work?" But as we discussed each case in our living group, I began to see the connections to what I do every day. That bridge from the case to my own organization was an extremely valuable part of the learning process.

I typically work with individuals whose expertise is similar to mine. My PLD living group included people with a wide range of experience, from IT to medicine to marketing. As a result, when we were tackling a topic—for example, an accounting ethics problem—we were able to benefit from the insights of a doctor, as well as IT experts, real estate professionals, and more. I've developed meaningful friendships both within the living group and across the broader PLD cohort.

Having attended PLD, what do you now do differently?

I now find myself stepping back and thinking about the broader context in making decisions. I am more strategic in how I interact with the organization and manage my team to promote our success. Like others, I want to move quickly in dealing with the tasks on my plate. But having attended PLD, I am able to slow down and be more deliberate and strategic—and more effective.

I now have an expanded network of 154 peers. I can reach out to them when I want to test ideas, ask for guidance, or discuss career plans.

What was your favorite part of the program?

The opportunity for in-depth discussion and feedback was invaluable. Some of the best conversations took place outside the classroom. Regardless of what continent or industry we were from, we all faced similar challenges in terms of our professional growth and what we were trying to accomplish inside our organizations. The more we talked, the more we seemed to have in common.

I appreciated being able to sit in groups of two or three and simply talk with interesting people who were very successful. Through those exchanges, we learned about different cultures and industries and also discussed the specific challenges we were facing. It was helpful listening to my peers work through their issues and then having an opportunity to provide input. In turn, I could then gain insight and feedback while discussing my own challenges.

How did the modular format contribute to the learning?

Between on-campus modules, it was hard to juggle the case studies, alumni challenge, and other demands on my time. But during those times I also learned a great deal. I appreciated the opportunity to come back to campus and discuss with my peers, in a safe environment, what I had tried, what worked, and what hadn't. That discussion and feedback helped me better understand how to improve my interactions with people—a unique benefit of the program that I don't think I could have found anywhere else.

I definitely want to continue growing as a leader. I'm considering enrolling in PLD Module 5, though I am also considering some of the other HBS programs. No matter which path I choose, I will take some time to digest what I've learned before attending another program.

What advice would you give others who are considering PLD?

When you're on campus, it's important to remove yourself from work as much as possible—to really and truly check out. You'll be tempted to check email and keep an eye on things at home or at work, but attempt to stay immersed in the program. You won't regret it.

PLD participants all go through the same program, but no two people have the same experience or take away the same lessons. To get the most out of this learning experience, you need to go into PLD with some idea of what you want to accomplish, but keep an open mind, because as you move through the program, you will find yourself developing expertise in areas you had never even thought about before.