Professor Dr. Leonard Schlesinger

Biography

Leonard Schlesinger is the Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School, where he chairs the School’s Practice faculty. He has been a member of the HBS faculty since 1978, during which time he has taught courses in Organizational Behavior, General Management, and Entrepreneurial Management, among others. His career has also included executive roles in major organizations, including serving as the President of Babson College and holding various positions with Limited Brands. Schlesinger's research and writings focus on entrepreneurship and service management, with significant contributions in the form of books and articles that have influenced the field for over 30 years. He’s recognized for his role in developing the 'Service Profit Chain' concept, which has been fundamental in linking service quality to profitability in businesses. Apart from academia, Schlesinger is active in consulting for corporations and advising on strategies that enhance service quality and customer satisfaction. He has served on the boards of several organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, and is a member of advisory councils including Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative. His educational background includes a Doctorate in Business Administration from Harvard, an MBA from Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. Schlesinger has received multiple awards for his contributions to the field and remains committed to fostering leadership in business education.

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Awards