Havard Management Tip of the Day

Retirement isn’t just about wrapping up your career—it’s about crafting a final chapter of your life that supports and reflects your true self. By focusing on four key behaviors, you can shape a retirement that’s consistent with your values and passions. Alignment. Design a lifestyle that reflects your core interests and values. Take time to […]

As a manager, you know feedback is essential to building a thriving team. But collecting it is only the first step—acting on it is where the real impact happens. Here’s how to take employee input and drive meaningful change. Organize and streamline data. With feedback pouring in from multiple sources, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. […]

As a manager, you have the power to shape your team’s social environment, reducing loneliness and fostering connection. Addressing this issue isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for a healthy, productive workplace. Here are some steps you can take to help your team feel more connected. Measure loneliness. Start by assessing the prevalence of loneliness […]

As the seasons change, take a moment to reflect on how fulfilled you are at work. A three-step “career detox” can help you identify areas where you can add, subtract, or adjust, ensuring your career is aligned with your values and helping you avoid burnout. Ask yourself: How am I feeling? Take 15 minutes to […]

Considering a job offer from a competitor can be both thrilling and complex. To protect your career and reputation, it’s essential to evaluate the opportunity thoughtfully and ethically. Here’s how. Review noncompetes. Check your current contract for non-solicitation or noncompete clauses. These agreements can restrict where you work and whom you interact with after leaving. […]

Mental heavy lifting can affect your health as much as physical labor. As your brain tires, it becomes less efficient, and the longer you work without rest, the harder tasks feel and the more difficult it becomes to stay focused. Here are three ways to delay or reduce mental fatigue during the day so you’re […]

Public speaking is a critical skill for business leaders. Whether you’re giving a presentation to your team, pitching a client, or making comments in a moment of crisis, many of the same principles for good speechwriting and delivery apply. Here’s how to structure your speech to effectively persuade and captivate your audience. The Opening: This […]

Too often, leaders revert to controlling behavior in order to quickly reduce costs, which comes at the expense of people, purpose, and genuine gains in productivity. This “power-over” paradigm is the very reason leaders don’t get as much out of their employees as they believe they can. It’s time for a new “leading through” paradigm […]

You know those work tasks that take longer than they should because of some rule or procedure that has outlived its purpose? The culmination of these clunky processes is known as process debt, and it costs employees time that could be used for innovation. Here’s how to combat it—and give your employees back time to […]

In every organization, top performers are the driving force behind innovation, productivity, and excellence. Yet despite their critical importance, they’re often overlooked. Here are five ways managers can keep these indispensable team members engaged and motivated. Understand how they want to be appreciated. For some, a quiet word of thanks or a thoughtful note might […]

At some point in your career as a manager, you may have an employee with a terminal illness on your team. Here’s how to manage this challenging situation with compassion and care. Involve your employee. Begin by having open, empathetic conversations. Ask your employee what they need to feel supported. For some, work may provide […]

In an ideal world, your boss would instinctively advocate for your work. But sometimes you might need to give them a push to endorse your idea, introduce you to key stakeholders, publicize your achievement, or position you as a subject matter expert. Here’s how to ask for the help you need. Highlight what’s in it […]

Scaling your startup can be a tricky balancing act. Move too quickly, and you risk locking into a direction that may not be sustainable; take too long, and you might miss key opportunities. The real challenge lies in knowing when to commit to growth and when to keep experimenting. Here’s what to keep in mind. […]

Working for an indecisive leader can be frustrating, but you’re not powerless. Here are five strategies to help you maintain momentum even when your boss keeps changing direction. Give a “tee-up.” Before diving into the details, remind your boss of the project’s context and goals. This keeps them grounded and less likely to derail the […]

As a leader, you likely care for your team’s well-being. But how often do you extend that care inward? Self-care isn’t an indulgence—it’s essential for your effectiveness and resilience. Here’s a quick checklist to start building your self-care routine. Body. Prioritize your physical health. Rate your sleep, exercise, and diet. Aim to improve your score […]

As a leader on an executive team, your success depends not just on individual talent but on how effectively members function together. Collectively embracing five core traits—direction, discipline, drive, dynamism, and collaboration—can transform what you achieve as a unit. Here’s how. Direction. Effective teams align on shared goals, setting clear short- and long-term priorities. Without alignment, […]

We all fall into the trap of repeating the same actions over and over again, hoping for different results the next time. It’s easy to stick to familiar patterns, but real growth comes from examining our past decisions and learning from them. Ask yourself these questions to reflect on your past mistakes and make the […]

When you raise a concern at work, you may encounter defensiveness instead of a productive conversation. Colleagues might shift the focus from the issue at hand to you—specifically, your attitude, role, or personality. This can feel frustrating and disheartening, but understanding these dynamics will help you handle them more effectively. Here’s how to approach these […]

Staying relevant in your career requires continuous learning, but when you’re already feeling drained, finding the energy to improve your skills can feel overwhelming. So how can you keep learning when you’re exhausted? Start by challenging your belief that you can’t learn when you’re tired. Instead of letting fatigue take over your mindset, acknowledge how […]

In today’s fast-paced, complex work environments, teams often struggle to stay aligned, collaborate effectively, and adapt to shifting priorities. Miscommunication, unclear roles, and a lack of structured feedback loops can quickly derail even the most talented groups. The solution? A systematic approach to teamwork that promotes clarity, continuous improvement, and real-time feedback. To elevate your […]