Finding the Rhythm
By the time week three arrived, something had shifted.
The first two weeks had been a mixture of excitement, uncertainty, snowstorms, and trying to work out how everything fits together. But by the final week of Module One, we had found our rhythm. Our living group had settled into a comfortable flow, everyone getting along well, supporting each other through the intensity of the schedule. And intense it is. Three classes a day, every day, on top of the case preparation and the evening discussions in our living groups.
By this stage we were all feeling it. The pace is exhausting. The cases are long, detailed, and relentless. They dive into everything from debt and equity structures to leadership dilemmas, strategy, marketing, geopolitics, innovation, and ethics. It’s a remarkable curriculum, broad and demanding at the same time. Thankfully, I had completed almost all of the reading before arriving in Boston, so my preparation during the week was mostly reviewing the cases, pulling together my thoughts, and working through them with the group each evening and morning.
The rhythm becomes almost mechanical after a while: read, reflect, debate, repeat.
But what makes the experience extraordinary is not just the cases. It’s the people.
By week three I felt like I truly knew my way around campus. More importantly, I felt I had found my people. My living group continued to be fantastic, constantly looking out for me, guiding me around when needed, and making sure I was included in everything. That sense of belonging grew stronger each day.
The weather also decided to cooperate a little more. The blizzards had passed, and although Boston remained cold, we were treated to a few beautiful sunny days. That gave us the chance to venture out for dinner a couple of times despite the relentless schedule.
One evening we went to a place called The Salty Pig, which was a great opportunity to catch up with some of the Australians in the program. There are only a couple of us in my class and none in my living group, so opportunities to connect with fellow Aussies was great. Harvard very deliberately encourages you to stay outside your comfort zone and engage with people from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s part of the experience. Still, it was nice to hear a few familiar accents and share a relaxed meal together.
Another evening brought a different kind of cultural experience. During the week we had a pairing session with another living group, which gave us the chance to connect with a whole new set of classmates. Shilo and I later arranged dinner with them at a Japanese barbecue restaurant. It was a fantastic evening. Great food, great conversation, and yet another reminder that the real value of this program lies in the diversity of perspectives around the table.
Tuesday brought a particularly interesting moment in the week. Our cohort visited the Baker Library, one of Harvard Business School’s iconic buildings and an extraordinary academic resource. Each of us was assigned a research librarian to support our work during the program. Ours was Austin, who gave us a tour of the library and explained how we could access the vast range of reference material available to support our Leadership Impact Projects.
Standing in that space, surrounded by decades of research, cases, and scholarship, was pretty special. It reinforced the sense that we were tapping into an intellectual infrastructure that had helped shape generations of leaders. Austin walked us through the databases, research tools, and archives we could access, making it clear that the library staff were there to help us dig deeply into whatever problem we chose to tackle. For me, thinking about my Leadership Impact Project around career advancement for people with disability, it opened up an entire world of data and research I hadn’t previously considered.
Wednesday evening turned into one of those unexpected highlights that you simply can’t plan.
After dinner, a number of us wandered over to visit the Indian contingent, who were hosting what they called a colour party. What we were witnessing was essentially a celebration inspired by Holi, one of India’s most joyful and widely celebrated festivals.
Holi is often referred to as the festival of colours. Traditionally celebrated across India each spring, it marks the arrival of warmer weather and symbolises renewal, friendship, and the triumph of good over evil. During the celebration, people throw brightly coloured powders at one another, laugh, dance, and share food. It’s a festival that deliberately breaks down social barriers. Everyone becomes equal when covered in colour.
Our friends from India had recreated a version of that spirit for the AMP cohort. There was music, laughter, and plenty of storytelling about what the festival represents in their culture. We sat with them for quite some time, chatting, learning about the traditions, and enjoying the atmosphere. It was one of those moments that perfectly captures what Harvard encourages — stepping beyond your own cultural boundaries and immersing yourself in someone else’s world.
I also managed to sneak in a couple of sessions at the gym during the week. That’s become an important release valve for me. A good weights session, clearing the head, and then stepping back into the intensity of the program. I also managed a few walks around campus when the weather allowed, which helped reset the mind between classes.
Boston weather, of course, always has the final say. On Thursday another heavy snowfall arrived, blanketing the campus once again. What continues to amaze me is how quickly the Harvard staff respond. Within hours the pathways were cleared, salted, and safe again. Watching the efficiency of that operation unfold every time snow falls is impressive.
Thursday evening was a highlight of the week. We attended a formal function at the Harvard Club, which was a wonderful opportunity to step away from the classroom and celebrate the end of Module One together. Everyone dressed up for the occasion. Most of the men in suits and ties, the women in elegant and colourful dresses. It was great to see everyone outside the classroom environment.
Our living group sat together, shared plenty of laughs, and took more than a few photos to remember the night. Afterwards, the evening continued back on campus as we joined another living group to keep the celebrations going. Again, another opportunity to strengthen friendships and expand the network of people you’re getting to know.
By Friday morning, however, reality returned.
A few people were feeling slightly worse for wear after the previous evening’s celebrations, but there were still two classes to complete before the program wrapped up. By around 1pm, Module One officially came to an end.
Goodbyes began almost immediately.
People headed off in different directions — some straight to the airport, others staying a few extra days before returning home to their countries, families, and organisations. It was a strange feeling. Just three weeks earlier we had all arrived as strangers from around the world. Now we were leaving as friends and colleagues.
Before I headed off to New York, I caught up with an old colleague from my Vision Australia days. I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with David and Gabriela, just around from the hotel I checked into after departing the campus. We caught up on old times and shared stories from our recent travels. I’m also looking forward to catching up with David again when he visits Australia in the next couple of weeks. Thank you. It was a welcome pause before heading to New York.
The next morning, I caught the express train to New York for a couple of days of rest and recreation. I caught up with my good friends Bob and Cathy and shared dinner with a couple of classmates who also happened to be in the city at the same time.
There are still a few days to go before I fly back to Australia. In total, I’ll have somewhere between 70 and 80 hours of travel ahead of me across the next few months as I move between Australia, Boston, and back again for the remaining modules of the program.
That’s a daunting amount of travel by anyone’s standards.
But after experiencing Module One, I can say without hesitation that it’s worth every hour.
The difference now is that when I return for the next session, I won’t be arriving with the same uncertainty or anxiety. I know the campus. I know the rhythm. I know the people.
Module One may be finished, but the journey is far from over. .
