Program Overview

Duke Management Program

The Duke Management Program is designed for managers and professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and strategic thinking. This program offers tools to sharpen strategic thinking, enhance decision-making, and lead high-performing teams with confidence.

Program Objectives

At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to:

• Evaluate decision-making processes
• Analyze and design motivation strategies
• Assess and apply fairness principles
• Leverage power for organizational success
• Integrate problem-solving in negotiations
• Facilitate team dynamics and processes
• Systematically align organizational elements

Program Format

The in-person Duke Management Program is a dynamic, immersive learning experience conducted on Duke University's campus over 3 days. The program fosters deep engagement through case studies, group discussions, and real-world simulations.

Curriculum

The program dives into multiple aspects of effective management informed by the latest research in:

• Behavioral economics
• Decision analysis
• Motivation
• Social networks
• Teams
• Negotiations
• Power and politics
• Ethics

Discussion Topics

1. Advanced Decision-Making Techniques
   • Identifying and avoiding decision traps
   • Strategic planning and effective decision frameworks
2. Employee Motivation and Engagement
   • Analyzing motivators and demotivators
   • Strategies for enhancing employee motivation
   • The role of fairness in motivation and feedback
3. Power and Influence in Leadership
   • Understanding personal and hierarchical power dynamics
   • Leveraging power for resource development and organizational success
4. Effective Negotiation Strategies
   • Problem-solving approaches in negotiations
   • Building relationships through effective negotiation practices
5. Team Dynamics and Management
   • Fostering creativity and commitment within teams
   • Implementing processes that support positive team dynamics
6. Organizational Structure and Culture
   • Viewing the organization as an interconnected system
   • Aligning structures, procedures, and culture for employee and organizational success

Sample Schedule

The program includes a welcome dinner, breakfast sessions, and lunch breaks, with the following sample schedule:

Arrival

• Check-in available: 3:00 PM
• Welcome dinner: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Day 1

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
• Managing people and performance: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Managing choice: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
• Optional Cameron Indoor Stadium tour: 5:20 PM - 6:30 PM
• Dinner: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Day 2

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
• Managing conflict: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Managing power: 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
• Dinner: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Day 3

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
• Managing systems: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Evaluations and program close: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
• Lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Hotel check-out: NOON

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the Duke Management Program, participants receive a verified Certificate of Completion and digital badge issued by Duke Executive Education. This credential signals achievement and can be added to LinkedIn profiles to highlight new capabilities in leading teams and driving organizational change.

Program Registration Calendar

• Registration period: May 12, 2026 to May 14, 2026
• Registration cost: $6,900
• Registration deadline: May 11, 2026
• Advanced registration: $4,485 (available through March 13, 2026)

Faculty

• Aaron C. Kay: Professor of Management at Fuqua and Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience at Duke University. His research focuses on motivation, implicit social cognition, and social issues.
• Jack B. Soll: Gregory Mario & Jeremy Mario Distinguished Professor of Management and Organizations at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. His research focuses on the psychology of judgment and decision making.

Program Location and Accommodations

The program is conducted at the Thomas Executive Conference Center, adjoined to The Fuqua School of Business. Participants are lodged at select campus or campus-adjacent hotels based on availability. The JB Duke Hotel is one of the options.