Developing Leaders for a Disruptive World
In a business environment defined by constant change—from technological disruption to global crises—leaders must do more than manage complexity. They must align people, purpose, and systems to drive meaningful, sustainable transformation. That’s exactly the kind of leadership developed at Northwestern University’s graduate and executive programs in learning and organizational change.
The School of Education and Social Policy’s Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) program recently hosted a thought-provoking conversation with two longtime faculty collaborators and strategic leadership experts, Aaron Olson and B.K. Simerson, whose new book, Strategy and Change: How to Succeed in the Face of Accelerating Disruptive Innovation, draws directly from work cultivated in MSLOC classrooms over the past two decades.
“You won’t be successful if you focus on the tech and forget about the people,” said Olson, executive vice president at Aon. “Organizations that do well combine change management leadership with data-driven decision making.”
The virtual event, moderated by MSLOC alumnus and MSLOC/MOD faculty member Terrence Roche, founder of Green Rock Innovation, explored what it takes to lead strategically when disruption is the norm—not the exception.
The “LOC Difference”: Where Strategy Meets People
The event highlighted a core belief that sets the MSLOC and MOD programs apart from other business programs: technical solutions alone aren’t enough. Organizations need leaders who can connect strategy with human behavior, systems thinking, and inclusive design.
That belief is at the heart of Olson and Simerson’s new book—and the MSLOC curriculum itself. Drawing on real-world examples from companies like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and S&P Global, the authors explore how organizations reinvent themselves while managing ongoing operations, a concept known as the "ambidextrous organization."
“It’s not just about ‘change management,’” Simerson said. “It’s about navigating change—a deeper, more systemic, and continuous capability.”
From the Classroom to the Boardroom
The roots of Strategy and Change trace back to MSLOC, where Olson and Simerson began co-teaching nearly 20 years ago. Their first book, Leading with Strategic Thinking, was developed from a graduate-level MSLOC course.
The new book builds on that foundation, incorporating the latest challenges—from generative AI to global instability—and featuring new contributors with deep expertise in organizational risk and transformation. “To succeed in a world of disruptive change, you have to be really good at recognizing patterns and finding what’s coming around the corner,” Olson said. “Risk management must be woven through every step of decision-making.”
This kind of thinking is exactly what SESP’s LOC programs foster: The ability to see the system, lead through uncertainty, and create lasting impact.
Why It Matters Now
“Organizations across every sector are navigating profound disruption. Technical expertise-like that of data scientists or engineers—is valuable, but what organizations need most are leaders who can drive strategic change,” Roche said. “MSLOC develops those leaders. This book shows why that work matters.”
Whether you're navigating digital transformation, driving inclusion initiatives, or leading enterprise-wide change, SESP’s graduate and executive programs in learning and organizational change will equip you with the tools to lead strategically in times of upheaval.
Ready to Lead Strategic Change?
Explore how the MSLOC program at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy prepares professionals to lead at the intersection of people, strategy, and systems.