Accelerator.

People Leader Accelerator is the premier development program for strategic HR leaders in the technology industry. Admission is application-only for a very small cohort and is equivalent in rigor and intensity to an executive MBA program.

This transformative experience, offered only twice each year over 16 weeks, provides life-long continuing support through our vibrant peer community.

 Curriculum Overview.

  • Introductions and Objectives

  • The Role of HR in a High Growth Organization

  • Prioritizing, Aligning, and Influence

  • Strategic People Plan

  • Organizational Structure

  • Employment Value Proposition

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Talent Acquisition

  • Total Rewards

  • Learning and Development

  • Culture, Engagement, and Communications

  • Performance Management & Goal Setting

  • Legal & Compliance

  • People Analytics & Dashboards

  • Where Next? + HR Career Path

  • Conclusion & Capstone

How PLA compares to other HR development programs.

 

A Sample Week.


Topic: Organizational Structure

You will learn how to design structures that define role boundaries, reduce conflict, and clarify decision-making rights.

The Basics.

  1. Aim for the goldilocks zone (not too much - or too little - structure and control)

  2. Clarify decision-making rights

  3. Hire stage-appropriate leaders

  4. Maintain appropriate management spans and layers

Assigned Readings.

  1. Bartlow & Harris, “Scaling for Success”, Chapter 2

  2. Elad Gil, “High Growth Handbook”, Chapter 5, pages 168-183

  3. Georgina Laudi, “When lack of clarity is killing your team’s effectiveness: RACI for startups”

  4. Gulati & DeSantola, “Startups That Last”

  5. Larry Greiner, “Evolution and Revolution as Organizations Grow” (optional)

Assignments.

  1. Draft a RACI matrix for your executive team with ~20 line items, post to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Tuesday, [DATE].

  2. Writing prompt: “What organizational structure challenges exist at your organization today, and why? Upon reflection, what could be done to reduce conflict, increase clarity, and/or improve effectiveness?” Post 1-2 page response to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Tuesday, [DATE}.

  3. Read responses from the cohort to the writing prompt and select one to respond to. Post ½-1 page response to the cohort shared folder by 5pm PT, Wednesday, [DATE].

  4. Participate in the live cohort Zoom video meeting 9-10:30am PT, Thursday [DATE].

Expectations & Guidelines.

  • Anticipate spending ~5 hours per week on the program, including readings, assignments, and cohort interaction.

  • Active participation is key. We have intimate cohorts (less than 15) to ensure extensive group interaction and authentic relationship-building.

  • 1-on-1 mentoring by faculty is available for no additional fee during the program.

  • Weekly group discussions are typically 90 minutes in length, with “office hours” held immediately thereafter.

  • Certification at the conclusion of the program will be contingent upon completing all program elements in a thorough and timely manner.

  • Everything we discuss as a group is confidential, and please be kind to each other!