PROGRAM FOR
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
WWW.EXED.HBS.EDU/PROGRAMS/PLD
The Accelerated Alternative to an Executive MBA.
Harvard Business School (HBS) Become an Authentic Leader. and are recognized as outstanding
Executive Education offers a Ideally suited for busy professionals who prospects for increased leadership
personalized learning experience want to expand their leadership skills responsibilities.
that transforms the world’s most with minimal downtime, the rigorous PLD
promising managers into the next curriculum is tailored to achieve a singular Letter of Reference.
generation of visionary leaders— goal—accelerate the development of Harvard Business School Executive
the Program for Leadership emerging business leaders. Delivered via Education requires that a letter of
Development (PLD). four intensive modules that take place reference be completed by a senior
over the course of seven months, the executive within the applicant’s
PLD Sets You Apart. compressed format is designed with organization, a board member of the
Unlike an executive MBA, PLD is your responsibilities in mind. The two applicant’s company, or a Harvard
tailored to your unique leadership goals on-campus modules require a total of Business School graduate familiar with
and business challenges. Two important four weeks away from your job. the applicant’s role and responsibilities
components contribute to your personal who can provide a detailed firsthand
and professional transformation: Key Benefits: account. This letter of reference provides
• Gain in-depth knowledge of business the Admissions Committee with a better
• A personal case that enables you
functions and amplify foundational understanding of your background and
to address a specific challenge in
skills to integrate these functions your potential as a leader.
your organization by developing and
across your organization
refining an in-depth strategy and
• Examine new techniques and Boost Your Corporate Impact.
implementation plan throughout
technologies for driving results Through the active learning that takes
the program
throughout your company in any place in the personal case and the
• A competitive Alumni Challenge that
market cycle Alumni Challenge, PLD participants not
fosters global teamwork as you and
• Deepen your understanding of only broaden their management and
your living group collaborate online to
management, business drivers, leadership skills, but also build greater
solve a real-world business issue
and innovation to drive meaningful self-awareness and confidence. Their
• One-on-one professional HBS
change across industries and borders bosses, peers, and subordinates, on
Executive Coaching sessions and
• Improve your strategic ability to the other hand, note that participants
facilitated team meetings that help you
identify problems, formulate solutions, interact with their teams and colleagues
realize your true leadership potential
and adapt to global market shifts more productively, engage with senior
• Expand your capacity to lead executives more proactively, and lead
Fast-Track Your Career.
high-performing global teams cross-functional initiatives and corporate
Often compared to a rapid-fire MBA,
and generate future growth amid projects more successfully.
PLD is designed for specialists and star
challenging markets
contributors who have at least 10 to 15
• Develop a leadership philosophy
years of work experience and have been
and presence that reflect greater
identified as outstanding prospects for
confidence, decision-making skills,
increased leadership responsibilities.
and strategic insight
Focused on leadership, change, and
innovation, PLD equips you with a
Is PLD Right for You?
broader understanding of core business
Each PLD cohort reflects a world of
functions and deeper confidence in your
talents, functions, industries, and
decision-making skills. You will emerge
cultures to ensure a truly global learning
with a personal action plan for advancing
experience. PLD participants typically
your leadership goals—and strengthening
have 10 to 15 years of work experience,
your company’s competitive edge.
The Accelerated Alternative to an Executive MBA:
Program for Leadership Development (PLD)
In-Depth Curriculum, Long-Term Results.
The highly integrated curriculum is composed of four educational modules—two
distance learning and two on campus—plus a fifth optional two-week module on
campus. After completing Module 5, you will achieve HBS alumni status.*
MODULE 1 / Distance Learning / 12 Weeks
Foundational Skill Building
Before arriving on campus, you will complete introductory courses in accounting,
finance, and quantitative methods. Our Harvard Business School Online digital
learning tool provides access to proprietary skill-building materials, interactive
exercises, and instructional webinars, including “How to Prep a Case,” and
insights into what drives an organization’s budgeting, pricing, and forecasting
decisions. Through a 360-degree Leadership Learning Path Assessment, you will
identify a performance gap or opportunity facing your firm and begin building a
strategy and implementation plan.
MODULE 2 / On Campus / 2 Weeks
Cross-Functional Business Approach
After arriving on campus, you will begin to develop an integrated perspective on
business and a global network of peers. The multidisciplinary curriculum provides
a big-picture view of how all functions interrelate and contribute to the overall
corporate strategy. Delving into each function’s core operations and best practices
provides an end-to-end view of business that is essential to your growth as a leader.
MODULE 3 / Distance Learning / 14 Weeks
Strategy Formulation and Implementation Connect With Us
Back at your company, you will advance your skills via online exercises, group For more information, please contact:
work, and individual study. You will create a strategy statement and value Program Advising Team
proposition, engage in an Alumni Challenge and faculty-led webinars, and explore Executive Education Programs
strategies that drive global collaboration. During three phone sessions, your Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field
professional HBS Executive Coach will provide feedback on your personal case. Boston, Massachusetts 02163-9986 U.S.
MODULE 4 / On Campus / 2 Weeks Email: [email protected]
Leading Change Telephone: 1.800.427.5577
Focused on change management, you will present an overview of your personal (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555)
action, strategy, and implementation plan to your living group and coach. All living
Connect with us via LinkedIn, Facebook,
groups will present their Alumni Challenge solutions, and winners will be selected
Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter:
by the PLD participants. You will leave PLD ready to drive innovation, navigate
www.exed.hbs.edu/connect/
volatile markets, and exploit new opportunities.
MODULE 5 / On Campus / 2 Weeks / Additional Fee
Personal Leadership (Optional)
In accordance with Harvard University
Serving as a capstone to PLD, this two-week session brings together all the policy, Harvard Business School does not
pieces of your PLD learning into an intensive MBA-like experience. You will discriminate against any person on the basis
explore corporate finance, personal leadership and accountability, negotiation of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender
and decision-making, and how to remain an authentic leader as your career identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin,
political beliefs, veteran status, or disability
progresses. After completing this module, you will earn HBS alumni status. in admission to, access to, treatment in, or
(You also can earn alumni status by completing an additional 10 nights of employment in its programs and activities. The
HBS Executive Education open-enrollment or custom programs.) following person has been designated to handle
inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination
policies: Ms. Nancy DellaRocco, Harvard
Business School, Soldiers Field, Boston, MA
02163-9986 U.S.
Programs, dates, fees, and faculty are subject
*You also may earn alumni status by completing an additional 10 nights of HBS Executive Education to change. ©2019 by the President and Fellows
open-enrollment or custom programs. For example, a 4-day program may require 3 nights on campus. of Harvard College. All rights reserved.
