Transformational Leadership in a Tech-Driven Marketplace

Modern organizations of all kinds face unprecedented disruption and change, driven in part by the universal impacts of technology, globalization and extreme forms of capitalism that push for better performance in the face of greater competitive threat. While change happens to or threatens an enterprise, its managers routinely face a choice – calmly protect what has historically worked or embrace and drive change as the new leadership paradigm. This course assumes the latter as the only successful approach for positive long-term performance. It is designed as an advanced experience that requires students to bring together foundational concepts they have learned throughout their curriculum, especially leadership, organizational change, strategy, and innovation, and apply them to lead a hypothetical strategic change program. Students will, working in small teams, develop a strategic change plan that includes i) a rigorous diagnosis of their business and an articulation of a “burning platform” for change, ii) an innovative strategy, at the company as well as key functional levels, that is designed to drive improved performance, and iii) an implementation plan (financial, project and mobilization plans) that recognizes the importance of milestones, momentum and organizational interdependencies, engages the organization, puts structure, accountability and effective communication around strategic projects, and allows for iteration and improvement as the organization learns. Students will appreciate that change leadership is today’s standard of leadership and is relevant in any management role and in any type of organization.