Havard Management Tip of the Day

Your voice doesn’t just deliver the message you’re trying to convey—it shapes how it’s received. If you regularly speak in high-stakes settings, developing vocal presence is essential. Use these five exercises to improve the steadiness and sound of your voice. Start by connecting breath to body. Make a soft hissing sound and notice any tension. […]

Confidence is key at work—but overconfidence can backfire. If you’ve overstated your skills, talked yourself into a role you weren’t quite ready for, or self-promoted too aggressively, keeping up the charade will only make things worse in the long run, undermining trust, causing stress, damaging relationships, and costing you opportunities for growth. Here’s how to […]

Whether you’re interacting with colleagues, clients, friends, family members, or strangers, conversations are the building blocks of relationships. To become a great conversationalist in both work and non-work settings, use the TALK framework: Topic, Asking, Levity, and Kindness. Here’s how. Start by preparing topics. Think ahead about two or three things your conversation partner might […]

To successfully transition from a public to a private sector job, you need to rethink how you present your experience on your resume, as well as who’s in your professional network. Start with these five strategies if you’re making the leap from a government career to a corporate one. Understand the differences in work. Many […]

Coaching is more than just giving instructions—it’s about developing others by adapting your approach to their needs. Here’s how to choose the right coaching style to unlock potential, build confidence, and drive performance across your team. Instructive. This style is directive in nature, focusing on providing clear directions and passing on knowledge based on your […]

A failed negotiation stings, but it presents an opportunity to improve. The best negotiators don’t avoid failure but instead analyze and learn from it. Follow these five steps to turn a setback into a growth opportunity. Acknowledge—and accept—the failure. It’s easy to blame others or ignore what went wrong, but denial prevents growth. Accept the […]

If you struggle to delegate, you’re not alone. But holding onto every task isn’t just overwhelming—it can hold you back. Effective delegation isn’t about offloading work, but empowering your team, boosting efficiency, and freeing up your time for high-impact priorities. Here’s how to get started. Identify your roadblocks. Do you resist delegating due to control […]

When a natural disaster strikes, your focus as a manager should be the well-being of your impacted employees. Offering immediate support can alleviate stress and help them recover both personally and professionally. Here’s where to start. Prioritize safety and well-being. Check in on affected team members. A quick call or message asking if they’re safe […]

If you’re searching for deeper fulfillment beyond your career, volunteering is a powerful way to find it. The impact you make doesn’t have to be grand—starting small can create meaningful change. Here’s how to get started. Don’t let doubt hold you back. It’s easy to feel like one person’s efforts won’t matter, but focusing on […]

When you hit a career milestone—whether it’s landing a promotion, winning a major client, or exceeding sales targets—you expect congratulations. But what if colleagues respond with jealousy or resentment instead? Here’s how to approach the awkward situation with grace. Check your assumptions. Before jumping to conclusions, assess whether their behavior has truly changed. Are they […]

We’ve all been there: You’re mid-conversation, but the person you’re speaking to is only half-listening. Maybe they’re scrolling their phone, nodding absentmindedly, or giving you a distracted “uh-huh.” It’s frustrating, but instead of shutting down, try these steps to reset the conversation. Pause and assess. Before reacting, take a breath and evaluate the situation. Are […]

Five years after Covid-19 upended life, one thing is clear: Major disruptions aren’t rare—they’re constant. Whether triggered by global crises, technological shifts, or economic volatility, leadership today demands more than crisis management skills; you must transform uncertainty into opportunity. Here’s how. Proactively engage with uncertainty. Shift from rigid annual planning to continuous scenario forecasting. Identify […]

Yesterday we outlined five signs to watch out for to determine whether you’re working for a toxic boss. Today we’re back with five more red flags to heed. They micromanage. Toxic bosses don’t trust or empower their staff; instead they tell people how work should be done and signal a constant lack of trust and […]

While some bosses can be annoying, dismissive, or frustrating at times, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re toxic. But if their behavior is bringing you down and affecting your well-being, there are a few red flags to watch out for. They lack self-awareness. Toxic bosses lack the ability to recognize and control their emotions. They tend […]

Custom AI assistants can save you time and effort by eliminating repetitive tasks. You don’t need to have coding skills to use them, but to get the most out of them, you need to set them up thoughtfully. Here’s how to create an assistant tailored to your needs. Choose the right platform. Different AI platforms […]

As a leader, the decisions you make today will have short- and long-term effects on you, your team, and your organization. Taking a moment to ask the right questions can mean the difference between a well-calculated move and regret. Use these questions to navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence. What if we did nothing? Consider […]

Being a great leader isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about doing so in a way that adds value. Here are four types of higher-order thinking you need to develop as a leader—and when to use them. Expert thinking is rooted in deep knowledge in a particular field, developed through years of experience, training, and […]

Your workday is a blur of meetings, emails, and endless to-do lists. You’re constantly moving, constantly responding—but are you actually present? Without taking time to reflect, you risk missing big opportunities, making poor decisions, and ultimately burning out. Here’s how to step back without falling behind. Give yourself permission. Being busy isn’t the same as […]

Yesterday, we shared three questions to ask your boss to get on the same page. Today, we’re back with four more. What do you wish you had more time to work on? This uncovers the work that’s important to your manager that keeps getting pushed aside by more urgent tasks. Look for opportunities to take […]

To succeed in your role, you need to understand what truly matters to your manager. But many leaders struggle to communicate their priorities clearly. Instead of waiting for direction, you can ask them smart questions to not only decode what they need, but also to position yourself as a strategic partner. Here’s where to start. […]