A Microsoft Employee’s Takeaways from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Leadership Development Program

HBS Exec Edu Tata Hall Class

HBS Living Group

PLD 38 graduation

Have you ever felt on the brink of a major career breakthrough, yet unsure of your next step? That’s exactly where I found myself before attending the Harvard Business School Program for Leadership Development (PLD). I finished PLD 38 this summer – June 2024.

If you’re curious about why I chose this accelerated EMBA program alt, check out my post here. To learn about my experience up to the halfway point of my PLD journey, you can read my thoughts and experiences at this post.

My Takeaways

1.  Everyone Struggles, Even the Successful

Seeing high-performing individuals face similar stresses and struggles was eye-opening. This program underscored the importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership. Realizing that even the most successful people encounter challenges was incredibly grounding and motivating. It gave us an opportunity to support one another and reminded me to check-in with my peers and friends.

2.  It’s Intense!!! Be Prepared for the Challenge

Get ready to complete a 2-year master’s degree in the course of 7 months. The PLD is intense and not for the faint of heart, but I was ready. Thanks to the prior Harvard Business School programs I attended, I had a glimmer of what to expect. The days were jam-packed, with hours of pre-work, in-class activities, and post-class assignments. The occasional cold call from professors kept us all on our toes.

If you read my last post, you know we are all part of peer 'living groups' consisting of 5-8 members. We lived together in Tata Hall, collaborated on case studies and workshops, and the intense learning experience fostered deep bonds. These connections are invaluable, providing a supportive network of professionals from diverse functions, cultures, and countries. Together, we faced many challenges and grew immensely!

3.  It’s an Investment

This program requires a significant investment from both your company and yourself. I took four weeks off work, and the PLD cost $54,000 when I paid in 2023, excluding additional programs needed for alumni status. Despite the expense, I believe the program is worth every penny! The experience was invaluable and unique, offering insights that will benefit me long-term.

4.  Specialty vs. Generalist

Over time, people often become specialists in their fields. This resonated with me as I continuously pursue education and certifications in digital marketing and innovation. However, being too specialized can limit our broader awareness. The PLD expanded my perspective, helping me develop as a leader and work towards my goal of becoming a CVP at Microsoft. Balancing specialized knowledge with a broader understanding of a company’s financial health and industry trends is crucial.

5.  There Is No Such Thing as Balance, Only Prioritization

Excelling in more than three areas of life simultaneously is challenging and can lead to burnout. Learning to say no is essential for career progression. For me, maintaining integrity and ethics is a top priority. In the business world, compromises are inevitable, but knowing your non-negotiables is key.

6.  World-Class Faculty and Cold Calling

The PLD features the same esteemed faculty as the MBA program, offering top-tier education and insights. Classes are taught using the Harvard case method, an instructional strategy predominantly used in business education. This teaching style, which was INVENTED at Harvard, involves the detailed examination of real-world business scenarios and challenges to develop students' analytical and decision-making skills. This method also includes cold calling. If you don’t know what this is “Cold calling in a classroom setting refers to the practice where instructors call on students to answer questions or contribute to discussions without prior notice.”

I actually love participating in class so this wasn’t stressful but there were people who were called on that didn’t seem prepared – I never want to be that person 😄. I'm counting the days to attend PLD Module 5 2025.

7.  Fantastic Staff and Campus Experience

From the initial virtual learning experience to the moment I stepped on campus, the Harvard staff and facilities exceeded my expectations. The level of enthusiasm, friendliness, and professionalism was evident throughout my entire experience. The campus itself was like a dream—the people, facilities, food, and interactions were first-class and unforgettable.

TBH—the one thing I struggled with the most was staying on top of all the different learning platforms. There were about seven different technology platforms, which made it challenging to stay organized and on top of everything. And if you know me, you know one of my superpowers is being ultra-organized, so I spent some time here.

8.  You Will Feel proud

You might be thinking, "Anyone graduating from a prestigious institution is bound to feel a deep sense of satisfaction." And you're right—I do feel incredibly proud 😉. But this experience was more than just about completing a program. We worked on something that will live on and continue to benefit us long after the program ends.

Unlike my MBA that I completed 12 years prior, over a decade ago wow, this time I felt a profound connection to my work and its future impact. We collaborated with esteemed faculty and executive coaches—shout out to my coach, Seán Patrick Sanford! Together, we developed a comprehensive project known as ‘My Harvard Business School Leadership Case.’ This a customized case that offers the chance to address a performance gap or opportunity facing your organization by building a strategy and a plan to implement. This project is designed to bring immediate benefits to my company and team at Microsoft.

Additionally, we crafted a ‘Personal Leadership Vision,’ which will evolve and guide us throughout our careers. And, perhaps most importantly, we created a ‘Leadership Development Plan,’ providing actionable steps we can implement right away and continue to build upon at different stages of our professional journey.

This connective tissue, this bridge between learning and real-world application, was something I didn’t experience during my MBA. It makes this program uniquely impactful and deeply satisfying.

What about you? Have you ever invested in a significant career development program? How did it impact you? Share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below. Here is a my LinkedIn post reflecting 'my thanks' to my community.

Thanks for reading,

Roxie

Harvard Club Dinner with my Living Group

Harvard Club

Picture with Neha and Professor Thompson