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Preparing to Be a Corporate Director

Preparing to Be a Corporate Director
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A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
How corporations should be governed varies widely.
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Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
How corporations should be governed varies widely.
Learn More
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu

Summary

What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.

You may also be interested in the related program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual.

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Summary

What does it take to succeed as a corporate director? For senior executives interested in joining a corporate board, preparation is key, as board service presents unique responsibilities, dynamics, risks, and opportunities. It also calls for a distinctive set of skills. This program will equip you with critical tools and insights that will enhance your readiness for corporate board service and enable you to make a lasting contribution at the highest level of an organization.

You may also be interested in the related program: Preparing to Be a Corporate Director—Virtual.

Key Benefits
This board-readiness program examines best practices for corporate boards and explores options and opportunities in corporate board service. You will gain a greater understanding of the role and responsibilities of corporate directors and the challenges you can expect to face in that role. By completing this program, you will signal that you are equipped with the core knowledge needed to be effective as a corporate director.

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Maximize your contribution as a board directorMaximize your contribution as a board director
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  • Confidently assume the role of corporate directors, including legal and fiduciary duties
  • Develop the competence and knowledge to manage critical board tasks
  • Appreciate the role and function of the board chair and board committees, especially those related to audit, compensation, and nomination
  • Engage in collaborative decision-making with colleagues who may have differing perspectives
Expand your leadership capabilitiesExpand your leadership capabilities
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  • Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction
  • Deepen your awareness of current and emerging issues facing boards and companies
  • Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders in driving long-term corporate performance
  • Interact more effectively with your company's board as a senior executive
  • Become "CEO ready" by using board service as an executive development tool
Analyze board opportunitiesAnalyze board opportunities
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  • Evaluate opportunities for board service in various contexts and organizations
  • Perform due diligence before joining a board
  • Assess the time and commitment required to serve on a board
  • Determine the ideal time to join a board and where you can make your greatest contribution
Develop a personal strategy for your board careerDevelop a personal strategy for your board career
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  • Clarify your reasons and motivations for joining a board
  • Develop a thoughtful plan for integrating board service into your career
  • Plan how you will balance the board director role with a full-time position
  • Manage your personal reputation as a board director, especially in moments of organizational crisis
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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  • Extend your network by living 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

Key Benefits Dropdown up

Key Benefits Dropdown down

This board-readiness program examines best practices for corporate boards and explores options and opportunities in corporate board service. You will gain a greater understanding of the role and responsibilities of corporate directors and the challenges you can expect to face in that role. By completing this program, you will signal that you are equipped with the core knowledge needed to be effective as a corporate director.
Details

Maximize your contribution as a board director

  • Confidently assume the role of corporate directors, including legal and fiduciary duties
  • Develop the competence and knowledge to manage critical board tasks
  • Appreciate the role and function of the board chair and board committees, especially those related to audit, compensation, and nomination
  • Engage in collaborative decision-making with colleagues who may have differing perspectives

Expand your leadership capabilities

  • Add value to an organization by overseeing its leadership and strategic direction
  • Deepen your awareness of current and emerging issues facing boards and companies
  • Balance the demands of shareholders with those of other stakeholders in driving long-term corporate performance
  • Interact more effectively with your company's board as a senior executive
  • Become "CEO ready" by using board service as an executive development tool

Analyze board opportunities

  • Evaluate opportunities for board service in various contexts and organizations
  • Perform due diligence before joining a board
  • Assess the time and commitment required to serve on a board
  • Determine the ideal time to join a board and where you can make your greatest contribution

Develop a personal strategy for your board career

  • Clarify your reasons and motivations for joining a board
  • Develop a thoughtful plan for integrating board service into your career
  • Plan how you will balance the board director role with a full-time position
  • Manage your personal reputation as a board director, especially in moments of organizational crisis

Expand your personal and professional network

  • Extend your network by living 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

  • Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
  • Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities
  • C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
  • Partners from audit or consulting firms
  • Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
  • Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
  • New board members who are in small and medium sized firms

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
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Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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Who Should Attend Dropdown down

Who Should Attend Dropdown down

  • Senior executives who are interested in serving on a corporate board
  • Executives who are retired or preparing for retirement and considering board opportunities
  • C-level executives who are board-facing (e.g., CEO, CFO, CHRO, CSO) and seek to strengthen their leadership capabilities
  • Partners from audit or consulting firms
  • Partners and executives of private equity and venture capital firms
  • Nonprofit board directors who aspire to serve on corporate boards
  • New board members who are in small and medium sized firms

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 3 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience
Play video
Play video
Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Play video
Play video
Understanding the Case MethodUnderstanding the Case Method
Read the case, discuss with your peers, and decide how you would address the challenges.
Watch the VideoWatch the Video
Previous Next

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

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Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
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Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.
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ApplyDownload Brochure
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More Admissions Information
Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
View Virtual Program Offering
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
How corporations should be governed varies widely.
Learn More
Apply
Download Brochure
Program Finder
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
A Guide to the Big Ideas in Corporate Governance
How corporations should be governed varies widely.
Learn More
Need Help? Contact Us:
Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
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