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Leadership and Change Management

Leading change

Owing to globalization and advances in technology, the world of work is rapidly changing. Organizations that adapt quickest create a competitive advantage for themselves, while those that resist change are left behind. The Leadership and Change Management Major positions you to learn how to take advantage of a rapidly-evolving business environment.

Topic Covered

Your career trajectory will involve numerous leadership positions, in which you must use every resource at your disposal to position the organization at a competitive advantage.

This emphasis will focus on the development of an important skill set, leadership. Leadership involves a myriad of skills, including how to monitor and effect organizational change, increase individual and organizational performance, resolve conflict, negotiate with stakeholders, and influence. 

In essence, you will learn behavioural skills and systems that are designed to facilitate leadership and change management within the organization.


"Some leaders shut down the intelligence of the people around them, while others amplify it."

- Liz Wiseman, former global leader for human resource development for Oracle, in an article for Rotman Management Magazine


Requirements to Complete

You must successfully complete at least 5 of the following core courses:

Core Courses

  • Strategic Change and Implementation
  • Strategic Networks
  • Organizational Design
  • Managerial Negotiations (pre-requisite for Advanced Negotiations & Conflict Management)
  • Advanced Negotiations and Conflict Management
  • Aligning People and Strategy
  • Managing Talent for Global Operations 
  • Inclusive Global Development: Economic Prosperity through Human Development
  • Leading Social Innovation
  • The Socially Intelligent Manager
  • Power and Influence in Organizations
  • Leading Teams
  • Effective Leadership
  • Business Problem Solving: A Model-Based Approach
  • Top Manager’s Perspective

The below two courses also count as core courses. However, if you decide to take both of them, only one will be counted towards this emphasis –

  • OnBoard Fellowship
  • C-Suite: Living Out Leadership Day to Day for Organizational Impact

It is also recommended that students in this emphasis choose other courses from the following selection:

  • International Strategy
  • Corporation 360° 
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Advanced Value Capture Strategies: Theory and Applications
  • Futures Thinking: Developing Business Foresight

Activities outside of class

  • Purdue Human Capital Case Competition
  • Rotman OBHR Speaker Series

Career Paths for the Leadership and Change Management

A typical career path for many graduates is to assume leadership roles in their respective organizational areas of expertise or as consultants. Your individual leadership style will emerge over time. Nevertheless, developing a skill set during your MBA will prepare you to assume these leadership roles early on, as the transition to being a leader does not take place overnight. Whether you are interested in entering consulting, entrepreneurial ventures, or organizational functions such as quality management, finance, accounting, operations, strategic management, or human resource management, leadership and your ability to bring about change will play an important role in your careers.

Flexible Internship Program

The Rotman Full-Time MBA Program provides a unique opportunity for students to integrate and apply management knowledge gained within the program through a 4-month internship. Students are required to complete the course “Applied Management: Placement” in conjunction with a work placement which may be done in the Summer, Fall or Winter terms. Depending on their academic area of concentration/major and career objectives, students will be guided on the best work term option to secure a placement with an employer. Throughout their work placement, students will benefit from enhanced communication with their host employers, tracking of project deliverables and feedback from faculty supervisors.

Notable alumni

  • Heather Briant (MBA '90), Senior Vice-President, Human Resources, Cineplex Entertainment
  • Mary Sullivan (MBA '95), VP, Corporate Human Resources, Four Seasons Hotels
  • Monica Donahue (MBA '92), Vice President, Human Resources, McCain Foods Ltd
  • Sean Kogan (MBA '90), President, Recruiting in Motion

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