Accelerator

People Leader Accelerator is the premier development program & community for strategic HR leaders of investor-backed, founder-led, technology companies.

This 16-week transformative experience is offered only twice each year and is equivalent in rigor and intensity to an executive MBA program. Admission is application-only for a very small cohort (typically 8-15).

Ground yourself in the practical and academic foundations of the work.

Be mentored by multiple experienced high-growth HR leaders who will get to know you personally and professionally.

Learn from peers in similar roles at similar organizations.

And, continue to engage through our unparalleled alumni community and Slack workspace.

 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!