Havard Management Tip of the Day

Asking the wrong questions when interviewing candidates can lead to bad hiring decisions. Preparing your questions in advance is crucial for identifying someone who will enhance your team, both in skill and in compatibility. Here are four types of questions to help you learn the most about your candidate. 1. Warm-up questions. While it may […]

Giving constructive feedback can be awkward, but avoiding it doesn’t just hurt performance—it deprives employees of a sense of purpose. Once basic job needs are met, people crave meaning. Your feedback can provide it by reinforcing growth, impact, and recognition. Here’s how. Focus on mastery. People find meaning in the process of getting better at […]

If you’re serious about staying ahead in today’s competitive landscape, you can’t afford to lag behind in AI adoption. The most successful companies are pulling ahead by focusing on four key areas. Here’s how you can follow their lead and turn AI into your competitive edge. Secure executive sponsorship. Get your CEO or board involved […]

Keeping up with the news is important, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you. Here’s how to strike a balance and stay informed—without spiraling. Get perspective. More news isn’t always good for you. Take breaks when headlines feel overwhelming, and remember: how you respond matters more than how much you consume. Be judicious and deliberate. […]

It’s not enough just to lead a great team—you need to make sure their hard work is seen, celebrated, and recognized throughout the organization. Here’s how to do it. Showcase across multiple channels. Use meetings, reports, informal conversations, and company-wide events to share team members’ accomplishments. Build connections with influential stakeholders who can amplify your […]

For a workplace to truly thrive, it must be inclusive. It’s time to shift from performative DEI efforts to a new, more effective model: the FAIR framework. FAIR focuses on Fairness, Access, Inclusion, and Representation, delivering tangible outcomes for all workers. Here’s how to start. Fairness. Set everyone up for success by addressing bias and […]

The autonomy that often comes with having a hands-off manager in a remote work environment can feel empowering. But it also makes it harder to stay aligned and ensure your work is visible. Here’s how to establish a better working relationship with your hands-off boss. Understand work styles. Clarify your and your manager’s individual preferences. […]

In an era of hyperconnectivity, hustle culture, and frequent change, hurry sickness—the constant feeling of needing to rush—can leave you exhausted and irritable. Here’s how to slow down without sacrificing your performance: Build in buffer time. Schedule space between tasks to handle surprises or reflect. Block out undistracted time for deep work or reevaluating priorities. […]

Work can empower you—or it can erode your self-esteem. To stay confident in challenging professional environments, shift from seeking validation from others to nurturing your internal self-worth. Here’s how. Normalize insecurity. Doubting yourself isn’t a flaw; it’s often a rational response to unclear expectations, bias, or workplace pressures. Instead of criticizing your insecurities, acknowledge them […]

In the age of gen AI, human creativity matters more than ever, and it can help you grow your career. These strategies can help you approach problem-solving in a new way and bring your most creative mind to work. Spark change. When you’re stuck, challenge yourself to think bigger and break away from the usual […]

When disaster strikes and a colleague loses their home, showing support can feel fraught. You might worry you’ll say the wrong thing, but you can make a lasting impact by being thoughtful in your approach. Your actions and words, no matter how small, can be a comforting reminder that they’re not alone in rebuilding their […]

Whether you’re leading a team, department, or an entire company, aligning learning and development with your organization’s top priorities is critical to driving success and adapting during volatile times. Here are five strategies to transform your approach and maximize impact. Adopt agile learning. Replace lengthy program rollouts with fast, iterative sprints. Cross-functional teams of designers […]

It’s frustrating when a teammate doesn’t pull their weight—but it doesn’t have to derail you. You can manage the situation without letting it harm your career. Here’s how. Document your contributions. Keep a clear record of your work. It’s not about blaming anyone; it’s about showing your role in the project. Whether through emails, updates […]

Are you taking on too much at work? From saying yes too quickly to feeling guilty about downtime to frequently working during off hours, overcommitment shows up in ways that drain your energy and limit your focus. Small, intentional changes can help you reclaim time for the work that truly matters. Regularly assess your workload. […]

Navigating performance conversations is one of the toughest challenges for new managers. It’s natural to feel nervous about giving critical feedback, but avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure the discussion is productive and constructive. Mistake #1: Delaying the conversation Tackle concerns promptly, and give your team member a heads-up to avoid catching them off […]

It’s normal to feel disengaged at work from time to time. But while it may feel tempting to withdraw, this reaction often deepens isolation and further drains your motivation. The good news? A few small, purposeful actions can interrupt this cycle and help you feel reenergized.  Collaborate intentionally. Join or propose a cross-departmental project. Whether […]

Yesterday, we shared three questions to help you foster trust, connection, and transparency on your team. Today, we’re building on that foundation with three more questions to find out how your employees are really doing. What could make this job or organization more compelling for you in the long run? Understanding what drives long-term commitment […]

Keeping your team engaged and connected is harder than ever. Between packed schedules and remote work, it’s easy for meaningful conversations to slip through the cracks. And if you’re not careful, you can lose track of how your employees are actually doing. Asking the right questions—and showing you care—can make all the difference. Here are […]

Many negotiators miss opportunities by viewing negotiations as purely competitive, where one side’s win is the other’s loss. Others focus only on securing the best outcome for themselves, ignoring ways to create solutions that benefit everyone. To create the most value in negotiation, try these four strategies. Build trust. Instead of guarding every detail, share […]

Leaders often launch change initiatives with the best of intentions but then struggle to achieve their goals. Many fall into a common trap: rushing into one-size-fits-all transformations without understanding who they’re asking to change and why. Here’s how you can set your change initiative up for success. Diagnose your change type. Departments within your organization […]