15.336 ID Lab

Individual Development & Interpersonal Dynamics

Why This Course?

The central thesis of ID Lab is that being an effective leader requires a deep understanding of what it means to be human in a complex world. ID Lab enables the pursuit of self and other-awareness in the service of improved individual, team and organizational performance. The semester-long course requires both a commitment to personal transformation and a willingness to engage with others on a similar journey. The experience integrates an introductory forum, weekly classes, regular introspective reflections, and professional executive coaching to enable students to develop as a principled, innovative leader capable of changing the world.

Executive Leadership Coaching: To maximize the opportunity for a positive, developmental experience, as part of the class requirement you will work, one-on-one, with a professional executive leadership coach. Coaching is often critical to the process of translating the self-knowledge gained in class sessions into leadership behaviors and skills. You will work with your coach on goal setting and identifying practical experiments that map to a personal growth and development plan.

What Makes This Course Different?

There will be four sections of ID Lab offered in the Spring of 2024. Sections A&B will be taught by Tracy Purinton, Senior Lecturer and Advisor to the MIT Leadership Center; Section C will be taught by Kara Blackburn, Senior Lecturer; and Section D will be taught by Lou Bergholz, Founder of Edgework Consulting and MIT Leadership Center Senior Lecturer.

This course is resource intensive and high-touch, resulting in a capacity of 30 in each section. The cohort will hold each other accountable, both formally and informally. You will be vulnerable with each other and model that vulnerability for others in order to create an environment that fosters a comfort to contribute. This will include a willingness to be compassionately candid when giving and receiving feedback, and holding up a growth-mindset-orientation focused on ongoing learning as a road to improvement.

What is Required of Me?

The following outlines each of the components of the course:

  • Introductory Forum - Thursday, February 8th 5:00 - 7:30pm
  • Weekly 180-minute class for eleven weeks.
    • - Section A meets Wednesdays from 8:30 - 11:30 am.
    • - Section B meets Wednesdays from 2:30 - 5:30 pm.
    • - Section C meets Tuesdays from 8:30 - 11:30 am.
      • - Section D meets Mondays from 8:30 - 11:30 am.
  • Six (6) hours of Executive Leadership Coaching sessions throughout the spring term
  • Assignments
    • - Weekly Reflections/Class Takeaways
    • - In-class presentation(s), case exercises
    • - Final Reflection Report

How Many Credits Will I Get & How Will I Be Graded?

ID Lab is a 9-credit course offered during the spring term. We will not grade your leadership ability, rather you will be graded on participation, engagement, timely completion of assignments and personal commitment and genuine effort. This course meets the MBA Leadership Elective requirement.

How Do I Gain a Seat in ID Lab?

Students must meet the following pre-requisites:

  • Must be a student in the MBA Class of 2025
  • Must commit to completing all of the components of the course (referenced above)
  • Plan to bid on the class in the Course Bidding site.
 
 
 
 

Hear from previous participants