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Executive Leadership Training Courses at Harvard

A woman leads a meeting with team members to demonstrate executive leadership programs.

Develop Your Leadership Skills and Style

Lead at the highest levels of your organization. Thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Our programs for executive leaders are designed to enhance your personal leadership skills, motivate your teams for greater productivity, and stimulate greater creativity and innovation. These powerful, highly-interactive programs, led by industry and academic experts, will empower you to effectively lead your organization through complex challenges.

Current Executive Leadership Programs

Why Study Executive Leadership at Harvard

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill or hone an existing one we have programs that meet your desire to develop your leadership skills. Our executive leadership programs cover topics such as advanced business strategy, behavioral decision making, and ethical leadership to enhance your influence and lead your organization to success.

Our professional development courses connect you with an international network of peers and industry experts. Through dynamic instruction and interactive activities like case studies and role-play, you’ll gain global perspectives and learn strategies to apply new concepts in your role and organization. The hands-on learning experience equips you to return to work with tools to enhance your success.

How Classes Work

We offer three different types of formats for programs: on campus, live online, and hybrid.

  1. On-campus programs take place in our dedicated state-of-the-art classroom space on Harvard’s campus at One Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA.
  2. Online programs are held via Zoom where you receive the same content online as on-campus, but from the convenience of your home or office.
  3. Hybrid programs are available both live online and on campus. Online participants are fully integrated into the program with the ability to see, hear, contribute, and network alongside your in-person counterparts.

Who Should Enroll

Each executive leadership course is designed to meet the needs of different industry leaders and professionals. Many of them are appropriate for a wide range of individuals, but some are specifically tailored to senior leaders, emerging leaders, or executives. More information about who should enroll in each program can be found on each program’s page.

What You Earn

After completing a program, you receive a Certificate of Participation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, further validating your expertise in the field. Taking the step to earn a certificate from a professional development program can signal to your employer that you are open to new experiences and enthusiastic about continuing to learn and grow.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education Professional & Executive Development Certificate of Leadership Excellence.

Some executive leadership programs may count toward a Certificate of Leadership Excellence (CLE).

When Courses Are Offered

Many of our programs are offered multiple times a year in several formats. Miss the deadline to register? We bring popular programs back year after year — sign up to get notified when new dates are available.

Costs

The cost of a Professional & Executive Development program depends on the format you take it in and the length of the course. For more information about pricing, please visit your desired program page.

A 10% discount is available to participants taking more than one program, and discounts are also available for groups of two or more. To take advantage of our discounts, please email ExecDev@DCE.Harvard.edu for further instructions.

Executive Leadership FAQs

What is meant by executive leadership?

Executive leadership refers to top executives who are responsible for leading and managing an organization. That work includes setting the strategic direction for the company, making major corporate decisions, and managing the overall operations and resources of a company.

Executive leadership can also refer to the skills and practices needed to fulfill these roles effectively.

What is good executive leadership?

Good executive leadership involves a combination of skills, behaviors, and qualities that enable executives to effectively lead and manage their organization. These attributes — such as strategic planning, emotional intelligence, and communication — can be honed through professional development.

What is an executive leadership program?

An executive and leadership development program is a specialized training program designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and competencies of executives and high-potential leaders within an organization. These programs often focus on areas such as strategic decision-making, change management, communication, innovation, and leadership ethics.

The goal of these programs is to prepare participants for senior leadership roles within their organization, and to help them develop the strategic mindset and leadership skills needed to navigate complex business challenges and drive organizational success.

Are executive leadership programs worth it?

Leadership development can be an essential part of advancing your career — especially for more senior executive roles. These programs can help you hone your skills in areas like strategic thinking, managing people, communication, and decision making. Taught by industry experts, executive leadership programs at Harvard DCE Professional & Executive Development can teach you practical leadership frameworks you can apply on the job.