Dr. Leonard Schlesinger

Professor

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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.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2013-01-01 — Present

Harvard Business School • Boston, MA, USA

Teaching MBA courses on Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurial Management, and other related subjects.

President

2008-01-01 — 2013-01-01

Babson College • Babson Park, MA, USA

Oversaw all operations and academic programs at Babson College.

Vice Chairman & COO

1999-01-01 — 2007-12-31

Limited Brands • Columbus, OH, USA

Led operational strategies and initiatives for a major retail company.

Senior Vice President

1998-01-01 — 1999-01-01

Brown University • Providence, RI, USA

Focused on public policy and organizational management.

Awards

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Robert F. Greenhill Service Award

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Apgar Award for Innovation in Teaching

Requirements for Harvard Business School

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GMAT
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Overall
Required:7.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or equivalent Strong quantitative and analytical background
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Writing Sample (Optional/Recommended)
Specialization Notes

The PhD in Business Administration is the primary doctoral degree encompassing various areas of study including Business Economics, Accounting, and Strategy.