Preparing to lead change: An innovative curriculum integrating theory, group skills and authentic presence

•Despite the urgent need for transformative change throughout healthcare, many change projects fail to achieve their objectives, often because of interpersonal and behavioral factors that are beyond the training and experience of most change leaders.•Contemporary theories redefine the work of leading organizational change from handing down a comprehensive control-oriented blueprint to engaging everyone in creating and bringing to life a shared vision for change.•It is possible to foster enduring changes in how leaders approach the social dimensions of organizational change in a program of relatively modest duration. A 96-hour program integrating contemporary theory, skill practice and personal reflection was associated with significant self-perceived changes in leadership behavior and organizational effectiveness.