Global Change Agents:
Leading with Commitment,
Creativity and Courage
The reality of globalization means that institutions and communities need a new kind
of leadership capacity—a capacity to deal with uncertainty, inspire others to transcend
old habits and mindsets, orchestrate adaptive and creative problem solving, manage
the stresses and losses associated with change, and produce results with others that
go beyond what is currently imagined or foreseen. This kind of leader must be
a dynamic change agent.
A change agent uses creativity, power, and authority to intervene and mobilize people
to face tough realities. The Global Change Agents program provides an in-depth
understanding of this leadership model as well as important insights about the
personal qualities involved in serving effectively as a change agent. This intensive
program is designed to get participants to explore deeply held assumptions,
perspectives, and beliefs about leadership, power, influence, and what it means
to effect change and make real progress.
CURRICULUM
A change agent must be able to stimulate a
process where people tackle essential issues
and modify their values, habits, practices, and
priorities in order to make progress. The Global
Change Agents program addresses how to:
»»Strategically intervene in a system to get
attention and mobilize resources
»»Determine key adaptive challenges the team,
organization, or community faces
»»Diagnose the psychological, emotional, and
behavioral demands of a specific change
»»Manage defensive routines, resistance, and
work avoidance dynamics
»»Orchestrate creative problem solving
»»Use personal and formal power wisely and
responsibly to attract and sustain attention
»»Harness personal talents, predisposition, and
style in a productive manner
www.hks.har vard.edu/ee/change
WHO SHOULD APPLY
ADMISSION
The program is for any executive, at any level,
who wants to build leadership capacity and
become a dynamic and successful change agent.
Global Change Agents is appropriate for leaders
in government, business, and non-governmental
organizations. It is also appropriate for an
individual working at the local level on
community challenges or the national or
international level working on global challenges.
To apply for Global Change Agents or
for details on program dates, application
deadlines, and tuition, please visit
www.hks.harvard.edu/ee/change.
The program explores what kind of leadership
and change is needed in the world today
given that the forces of globalization generate
tremendous opportunities and formidable
dangers for nations and villages alike. Participants
in this program should be ready to tackle
tough challenges, cross boundaries, and build
partnerships to produce significant results.
Admission to this program is competitive,
and is based on professional achievement
and organizational responsibility. Early
application is encouraged since programs
often fill to capacity. Qualified applicants are
admitted on a rolling, space-available basis.
Although there is no formal educational
requirement for the programs, fluency in
written and spoken English is mandatory.
HKS Executive Education programs involve
intense, interactive discussion and therefore
the number of participants is limited.
Applications received after the deadline
will be considered only if space remains
in the class.
faculty chair
Dean Williams, Lecturer in Public Policy,
teaches and conducts research on adaptive
leadership and change. For five years he
served as the Chief Advisor to the President
of Madagascar. For two years he was the lead
consultant to the government of Queensland,
Australia, in orchestrating a complete reform
of the educational system. Formerly, Williams
was a consultant to the Government of Brunei
in upgrading its civil service. He has also
done extensive leadership development work
for companies and governments throughout
Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States.
He is the author of Real Leadership: Helping
People and Organizations Face Their Toughest
Challenges (Berrett-Koehler, 2005).
www.hks.harvard.edu/ee/change
79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
617-496-0484 [email protected]
FPO