Driving Innovation and Change as an Entrepreneurial Leader
Explore how entrepreneurial leaders drive innovation and lead change—even when resources are scarce. Driving Innovation and Change as an Entrepreneurial Leader dives into the differences between invention, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership, using real-world examples to show how emotional intelligence and mindset fuel team motivation and value creation. You’ll uncover how human behavior impacts problem-solving, and how entrepreneurial leaders overcome cultural barriers to spark progress. Learn how these leaders identify opportunities, build trust, and influence change by helping teams shine. Ideal for anyone looking to lead with impact in uncertain environments.
You also will examine the psychological and societal barriers that often hinder innovation and learn how entrepreneurial leaders overcome these challenges using specific tools and strategies. A key focus is on cultivating the “Entrepreneurial Mindset & Behaviors,” including identifying and leveraging “positive deviants,” individuals who find unconventional yet successful solutions to complex problems. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to lead change confidently, think creatively, and apply entrepreneurial principles to solve real-world challenges.
- Understand the differences between invention, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership
- Identify how entrepreneurial leaders drive innovation through real-world examples
- Distinguish entrepreneurial leaders from other leadership styles and entrepreneurs
- Define “positive deviants” and their role in solving societal challenges
- Recognize common challenges in leading organizational change
- Explain the Waterfall and Agile models and their methodologies
- Compare key differences between Waterfall and Agile approaches
- Explore paradoxes in the innovation journey and the entrepreneurial leader’s role in navigating them
- Aspiring entrepreneurs with a new venture entrepreneurship idea
- Entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level
- Executives looking to grow their entrepreneurial mindset to innovate in their current role
- Managers eager to foster an entrepreneurial and impactful environment within an organization
- Professionals looking to expand their skill set across industries and functionalities
- Recognition and Credentialing: A digital badge that serves as verifiable proof of learning and achievement, which can be displayed on platforms such as LinkedIn and included on your resume and portfolio
- Course Content and Learning Outcomes: You gain industry-relevant knowledge, practical skills, and frameworks designed for professionals seeking career advancement or specialization
- Expert Instruction: Experienced faculty, industry leaders, and professionals with real-world expertise teach our courses
- Flexibility: Our self-paced digital badge allows flexibility for busy professionals
- Networking Opportunities: You gain access to a network of peers, alumni, and industry professionals
- Assessments and Engagement: To earn a badge for this course, you must complete assignments, quizzes, case studies, and/or interactive projects
What you need to know
Course Structure
Costs & Program Discounts
Course Leaders

Jay Rao
Professor of Operations and Information Management
Professor Jay Rao P’21 ’24 teaches numerous Babson Executive Education programs. His executive teaching and consulting focus on the areas of innovation, implementation of innovation initiatives within firms, corporate entrepreneurship, and customer experience innovation. He has written several business cases on a range of topics: innovation strategy, innovation culture, leading innovation, customer service, and strategy execution. He also teaches in the Babson MBA program.
