Preparing for PLD with HBS Online
Brooke Gocklin, head of content marketing at Contently, is a past participant of the Program for Leadership Development. Below, she shares how the HBS Online courses on economics, finance, and accounting in Module 1—as well as access to resources like the Peer Help tool and financial services professionals—helped prepare her for on-campus case discussions in Module 2.
Why did you apply to the Program for Leadership Development (PLD)?
I've always been an avid learner. As I began to progress in my career, I noticed more opportunities were available to those who had MBAs or executive program experiences on their résumés. With two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree, I knew that I needed a different path. I started looking into Ivy League programs and certificates because of their quality coursework and thought-provoking topics.
Through HBS Online and HBS Executive Education, I completed Credential of Readiness and Developing Yourself as a Leader—Virtual as a test to see if PLD was the right fit for me. Professor Ethan Bernstein connected me with Lisa Hughes, the portfolio director for PLD, who shared more information about the program and enabled me to make an informed decision. I was nervous because it is a large investment, but I took a leap of faith given the feedback I received from PLD alumni and professors at HBS.
During the HBS Online courses in Module 1 of PLD, how did you take advantage of the Peer Help tool?
The Peer Help tool was one of my favorite aspects of the HBS Online platform. It enabled me to connect and collaborate with others when I didn't understand something.
I'm a visual and collaborative learner, so sometimes I needed extra help with the concepts presented in the videos. Being able to leverage the expertise of my peers in financial services, who explained the concepts so clearly, helped me to succeed in the accounting course.
In what ways did the HBS Online courses in Module 1 of PLD prepare you for Module 2 on campus? How did you apply what you learned to the on-campus case discussions?
The Economics for Managers and the Financial Accounting courses were packed with information that solidified the learnings in Module 2 and helped us have more intellectual conversations about real-world applications in case study discussions. Professor Joshua Margolis kept saying it would click for us at different stages, and he was right. I could see how the program was set up to connect the dots between our online conceptual learning and the real-world scenarios that we evaluated together in class as a group.
The balance sheets in Financial Accounting helped with understanding the accounting cases. We learned the best accounting practices according to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), what the differences are globally, and how poor accounting practices impact the business as well as its shareholders, investors, and employees.
In Economics for Managers, we examined the concepts of gross domestic product (GDP), imports, exports, and savings on a global scale, which helped us understand how countries and their financial practices impact the global economy, sometimes contributing to inflation. We also learned how to apply the value stick to our business strategy: What is the consumer surplus? What value is the business capturing? How does that shape the pricing strategy, especially as you add in more competitors to the market?
How did you balance work, the program, and home commitments during the virtual, self-paced modules?
PLD is a significant time commitment, requiring at least 10 to 20 hours each week during the self-paced modules. However, I figured out what worked best for me and stayed disciplined in my new routine. First, I rearranged my schedule to accommodate the coursework, case study preparation, learning group meetings, virtual class sessions, and readings; then, I scheduled an hour in the morning to focus on HBS and two hours at night to adequately prepare. I couldn't have accomplished this without the consistent and steadfast support from my husband, extended family, and friends.
What surprised you most about the blended experience of self-paced and on-campus learning?
The HBS Online experience was helpful in preparing me for the more rigorous on-campus modules and gave me the tools and foundation needed to thrive in case study discussions. When I finally arrived on campus, that's when I realized the true impact the program would have on my career. Not only is the networking opportunity incredible, but the experience of being in the HBS classroom with like-minded peers is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Our diverse backgrounds and global perspectives gave shape to invaluable conversations that you can't replicate anywhere else.
It's such a unique experience, and the program team did a wonderful job of orchestrating an impactful experience for all of us. My learning group became a family, and we still talk every day. I value their opinions and put each of them on my Personal Board of Directors to help me with any major life decisions. I am so grateful that I had the chance to be a part of this community and build relationships that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
What advice would you offer other leaders considering applying to PLD?
I can't recommend the Program for Leadership Development enough. You get out of it what you put into it, so don't do anything halfway. Don’t forget to take advantage of your access to the professors outside the classroom—grab a coffee, get dinner, and ask them questions. It's a great opportunity to connect and build relationships.