HKS Authors

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Abstract

Leadership development is a massive industry. But do these programs actually pay off for the leaders who participate in them? Through a series of experiments, surveys, and analyses of data from more than a thousand participants in six different leadership development programs around the world, the authors determined that these initiatives can substantially boost personal growth and wellbeing — but only when implemented correctly. To address this gap, the authors share seven research-backed strategies to help program designers address common pitfalls and build experiences that actually drive real, positive, lasting impact.

Citation

Yemiscigil, Ayse, Dana Born, and Horace Ling. "What Makes Leadership Development Programs Succeed?" Harvard Business Review (February 28, 2023).