An Ideal Structure for Growing as a Leader
When she started the Program for Leadership Development (PLD), Natalya Baram was global COO of New York Portfolio Clearing, a fixed-income derivatives clearing house. Working in the fast-paced finance industry, she'd never had time for an MBA, but needed more business education to advance. In PLD, Baram found the perfect combination of intense learning, constructive feedback, and a supportive peer network.
What impact has PLD had on you?
PLD is life-changing—one of the best things I've ever done. I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend the program and for the people I met there.
PLD is a very intense program that combines rigorous learning about economics, management, marketing, decision making, and more, with another set of topics emphasizing personal insight and self-awareness, such as negotiation and leadership. PLD made me a better person, on both the work front and the personal front. The more you commit and participate in PLD, the more you will take away from the program. My teammates and I dived right in, and I've gained invaluable tools that I will have for the rest of my life.
How did your peers enhance the PLD learning experience?
The living groups were fantastic. The caliber of people who attend PLD is just amazing. I feel lucky to have been around such insightful people, whose constant feedback was instrumental to my development.
PLD can be challenging at times, because you are put in a situation where you're not always in control. It forces you to take a step back, address some of your insecurities, and change how you behave with others. The constant interaction and advice are invaluable. I received wonderful support that has helped me grow and achieve my goals. I am speaking or messaging with other members of my living group daily.
Why did you decide to extend your PLD experience and attend PLD Module 5?
I used PLD as my executive MBA. I liked the structure PLD set for me, and I didn't want to deviate from it, so I continued with Module 5. I knew its focus on leadership development would encourage me to keep growing as a leader.
Even given my experience with PLD, it surprised me that I got so much out of Module 5's leadership development groups. At first, the continuous conversation—in which I was constantly listening and sharing very personal things—was difficult for me. But I quickly realized this process is designed to break us apart and put us back together again, so to speak.