When it comes to leadership development, “a veritable leadership-industrial complex has sprung up to meet the booming demand.” (Fortune). So why would our member companies ask us to create an online, scalable leadership experience? Because they want next-generation leaders to engage wholeheartedly, to help amplify the company’s purpose, and advance its Higher Ambition agenda. What is the Alliance Advantage? We are in conversation with member CEOs and CHROs, and we understand their issues. We enhance existing leadership programs with Higher Ambition practices and help launch new ones. We build momentum by working with clusters of 4 or more leaders. We work closely with HR Leads to track outcomes and get better.

The most ancient and natural way to cultivate the conditions for change is through meaningful conversation. For decades, most executives would talk about efficiencies and maximizing shareholder returns, and this past year further exposed the consequences. Next generation leaders are looking for a larger conversation: one that takes care of business and that honors people, resourcefulness, and resilience. Most leaders are ambitious, they are driven to hit their targets and to win. Some have a higher standard: They seek to win in the workplace, win in the marketplace, win in the community, and to win with integrity. We call such leaders Higher Ambition Leaders. Our story began 15 years ago when 5 researchers interviewed 36 CEOs who cared deeply about purpose, people, and profits. We then gathered these CEOs at Harvard Business School every year, so they could learn from one another. The meetings led to the creation of the Center for Higher Ambition Leadership (CHL) and its focus on research and leadership. The CHROs were then invited to join the conversation and 8 years ago we started the Higher Ambition Leadership Intensive (HALI). Most recently we launched the online Higher Ambition Leadership Certificate (HAL-C) designed specifically for Next Generation Leaders.

The 12-week process is an intense and iterative learning experience. It is a journey of inquiry and self-discovery. It is a gift of time, a time to pause, reflect, and invest in oneself as a leader. It is a chance to study new concepts online and internalize them during virtual workshops. It is a place to engage in Higher Ambition conversations with leaders from one’s own company and beyond, and to lead such conversations with one’s own team. It is the intention to lead in even the smallest of moments and to cultivate intentional practices.