Study Group with Amb. Chris Lu: Public Leadership in Practice

In the Room Where It Happens: Public Leadership in Practice

Join Ambassador Chris Lu for his first study group of the semester!

What is it like to lead in government when information is incomplete, politics are difficult, and there are no perfect options? This study group goes beyond theory to put students inside the real-world dilemmas faced by public leaders. Through case studies and candid conversations, we’ll examine how leaders navigate competing values, political pressures, institutional constraints, and unintended consequences — and the judgment and tradeoffs required to turn ideas into action.

Chris Lu brings 25 years of experience across all three branches of the federal government, including senior roles in the White House, the Department of Labor, the State Department, and presidential transitions. Drawing on these experiences, he will share lessons about what effective leadership looks like in government.

In the first session, we’ll challenge common assumptions about how consequential decisions are made. Students will confront a real-world policy dilemma and develop a framework for assessing leadership throughout the semester.

*These off-the-record conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address.