Leonard A. Schlesinger

Leonard A. Schlesinger is an American academic administrator, business school dean, and author known for his leadership at prominent educational institutions and corporations. His career bridges the worlds of rigorous academia and practical business management, with significant tenures at Harvard Business School and as president of Babson College. Schlesinger is recognized for his expertise in service management, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurship, contributing influential thought leadership through numerous publications and executive roles.

Early life and education

Born in New York City in 1951, Leonard A. Schlesinger pursued his higher education entirely within the Ivy League, attending Harvard University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College before continuing his studies at the university's prestigious Harvard Business School. At HBS, Schlesinger completed both a Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Business Administration, solidifying a foundational expertise in business theory and practice that would underpin his subsequent career across both corporate and academic sectors.

Academic career

Schlesinger's academic career is deeply associated with Harvard Business School, where he served as a professor for over two decades, teaching courses in organizational behavior and service management. His administrative leadership began when he was appointed Senior Associate Dean and Director of External Relations at HBS. In 2008, he transitioned to the presidency of Babson College, a globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education. During his tenure, he emphasized curricular innovation and global expansion before returning to Harvard Business School as a Baker Foundation Professor, a role dedicated to seasoned faculty with distinguished records.

Business career

Parallel to his academic work, Schlesinger has held significant executive positions in the corporate world. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Au Bon Pain, where he applied his service management research. Later, he became Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Limited Brands (now known as L Brands), the parent company of major retail brands like Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. This role involved overseeing vast operational aspects of a major Fortune 500 corporation, providing him with direct experience in large-scale retail strategy and corporate governance.

Publications and thought leadership

Schlesinger is a prolific author whose work connects academic research with managerial practice. He co-authored the seminal article "Putting the Service-Profit Chain to Work" in the Harvard Business Review, which became a foundational text in service operations management. His other notable books include *The Service Profit Chain* with James L. Heskett and *Just Start: Take Action, Embrace Uncertainty, Create the Future* with Charlie Kiefer and Paul B. Brown. His writings frequently explore themes of action bias, entrepreneurial leadership, and achieving competitive advantage through effective human resource management and organizational culture.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Schlesinger has received numerous accolades for his contributions to management education and practice. He has been recognized with the Harvard Business School Alumni Award for his professional achievements. His thought leadership earned him a place on the Thinkers50 Radar list of influential management thinkers. Furthermore, his service on the boards of directors for various organizations, including The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and LAZ Parking, underscores the high regard for his expertise in corporate strategy and organizational development.

Category:1951 births Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Harvard Business School alumni Category:American business theorists Category:American academic administrators Category:Babson College Category:L Brands people