​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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 Coaching: To maximize the opportunity for a positive, developmental experience, throughout the spring you will work, one-on-one, with a professional executive coach. Coaching is often critical to the process of translating the knowledge learned in the classroom into accessible skills. You will begin with an assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses and then work with your coach to create a leadership development plan that integrates your values and strengths, allowing you to define goals and track progress over time.

What Makes This Course Different?

There will be four sections of ID Lab offered in the Spring of 2023. Section A will be taught by Professor Virginia Healy-Tangney; Section B will be taught by Tracy Purinton, Senior Director/Lecturer of the MIT Leadership Center, Section C will be taught by Professor Kara Blackburn, 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 (evening only), February 9th and all-day Friday, February 10th – details TBD)
  • 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 2024
  • Must commit to completing all of the components of the course (referenced above)
  • Plan to bid on the class in the Course Bidding site.
 
 
 
 

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