Havard Management Tip of the Day

When business challenges mount, your team doesn’t need spin—they need clarity. Here’s how to be transparent, steady, and constructive, even when you don’t have all the answers.  Acknowledge what’s working. As you address uncertainty, point to areas of progress. Use a “yes, and” approach: Yes, things are messy—and we’re doing good work. Be honest about […]

Having prestigious connections can open doors for people—but they can also distort how their merit is judged. Star-linked hires are often held to inflated expectations, shielded from criticism when they fall short, and overlooked when they succeed. This bias can quietly shape how talent decisions are made long after someone joins your team. Here’s how […]

Before big conversations—think performance reviews, negotiations, or strategic debates—most leaders prep facts and arguments. But what’s often missing is mental readiness. Enter the Curiosity Check: a fast, three-step process to help you shift from certainty to openness.  Locate your mindset. Before the interaction, ask yourself: Am I genuinely open to learning something new, or am […]

Building stronger relationships with coworkers beyond the office can boost trust and improve performance—but only when done carefully. The key isn’t whether to connect outside of work, but where. Choose settings with these four traits to build genuine connection while lowering the risk of too much boundary-blurring.  Make it flexible. Opt for spaces that accommodate […]

AI can help leaders work faster, but it can also distort decision-making and lead to overconfidence. If you’re integrating AI tools into forecasting or strategy work, use these safeguards to stay grounded.   Watch for built-in biases. AI presents forecasts with impressive detail and confidence and tends to extrapolate from recent trends, which can make you […]

Even as formal DEI programs face rollbacks, you can still build a more inclusive workforce by focusing on high-performance management practices. The following five strategies, designed to boost productivity, also drive diversity when applied across the employee lifecycle. Use referrals to tap into broader networks. Referral programs aren’t just about filling roles—they’re powerful diversity engines. […]

Generative AI is changing the balance of work, reducing the need for task coordination and increasing autonomy across teams. For middle managers, this shift opens the door to new ways of working. But making the most of it requires a clear view of what to automate and who stands to gain. Here’s how to start.   […]

Organizations often rely on committees to make high-stakes decisions. But simply getting the right people in the room isn’t enough. If you want your committee to surface real insights and make stronger decisions, you need to design the process to promote candor, curiosity, and dissent. Here’s how.  Focus on process, not just outcomes. Don’t just […]

In today’s polarized environment, workplace conflict is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be destructive. Leaders with high conflict intelligence know how to engage it constructively. Here’s how to apply seven proven principles. Lay the groundwork. Build trust and communication before conflict erupts. Strengthen your team’s culture and establish clear norms for how disagreement is handled. […]

Cybersecurity programs often fail because they overlook the biggest risk: human behavior. But the same factor that makes organizations vulnerable can also be your greatest asset—if you know how to take a human-centered approach to security. Here’s how. Start by building connection. People follow leaders they trust. Establish rapport by showing genuine interest, encouraging a […]

In today’s volatile climate, global travel isn’t just about logistics—it’s about risk management and policy adaptation. As rules shift rapidly, you need a proactive, structured approach to sending employees abroad or receiving international staff in the U.S. Audit employee visa status. Know who is working under temporary authorization and monitor renewal timelines. If employees have […]

When uncertainty hits, it’s tempting to start making cuts. But indiscriminate subtraction can backfire, making systems brittle, reducing visibility, and draining long-term value from your business. Before making any cut, apply this triple test: Will it improve efficiency, build resilience, and elevate prominence? If the answer is no, rethink it. If the answer is yes, […]

When you step into a new leadership role, how you engage your inherited team sets the tone for your entire tenure. You need to move thoughtfully, not impulsively. Here’s how to get started. Lead with curiosity, not conclusions. Biases often influence early assessments, so avoid quick judgments when assessing your new team. Instead, ask questions, […]

Creating a culture of helping isn’t just about encouraging support—it’s about making sure the help given is actually, well, helpful. As a leader, your role is to shape how help is asked for, delivered, and appreciated. Here’s how. Push for clarity first. Guide your team to clearly define the problem before they ask for support. […]

The role of the CEO is evolving fast—and the old playbook won’t cut it. To lead through disruption, emerging CEOs must focus less on credentials and more on behavior. Here are three areas to start developing today. Be a relentless learner. The most successful leaders approach their role like elite athletes: constantly training, reflecting, and […]

Yesterday we went over four ways to update your approach to leading a remote or hybrid organization. Today we’re back with four more tactics. Get everyone together regularly. “Anchor days,” where everyone is in the office at the same time, can build community—but they only work if everyone is there. Set clear expectations and require […]

If your organization is sticking with remote or hybrid work, your old management playbook won’t cut it. Productivity, culture, and collaboration all suffer when you try to lead as if everyone’s still in the office full time. To adapt, start with these four steps. Begin with data. Ask your IT team to audit patterns from […]

Stepping into a senior leadership role is about more than simply managing a bigger team. It requires a new mindset, focus, and definition of success. If you’re finding this transition to be harder than you expected, you’re not alone. Here’s how to recalibrate your approach. Coach, don’t solve. You’re no longer the go-to problem solver. […]

When life is packed with work and family demands, joy often falls to the bottom of the priority list. In fact, many professionals spend most of their time on achievement and meaning, leaving little space for happiness. But no matter how busy you are, you can still create more joy in the time you have. […]

Flexibility is a blessing—until it isn’t. When you try to do everything for both your work and your family, burnout can sneak in fast. The key is to approach flexibility strategically, so you’re fully present when it matters most. Here’s how. Define what’s enough. Without clear boundaries, you’ll always feel behind. Set standard work hours […]