Havard Management Tip of the Day

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 […]

In today’s polarized climate, many companies choose silence over speaking up about sustainability, but that’s a mistake—customers and employees still expect transparency. Here’s how to communicate your efforts clearly and effectively. Understand what people expect. Consumer demand for sustainable products continues to grow, regardless of political noise. Employees also want to work for companies making […]

Uncovering the truth at work isn’t always as simple as asking direct questions. Whether you’re trying to get to the root of a project delay or understand why you weren’t promoted, here’s how to elicit more honest answers. Do your homework before the conversation. Prepare thoroughly. Build a fact base by gathering feedback, reviewing timelines, […]

If employees are working while sick, your policies aren’t the problem—your structure is. To tackle presenteeism, start by addressing the root causes: job design, cultural expectations, and the imbalance between demands and support. Use this three-part framework to guide change.   Map demands and resources across roles. Identify where job demands—like workload, schedule rigidity, or […]

When people feel invisible at work, they disengage. As a leader, one of your most powerful tools is the ability to notice—deliberately, consistently, and with purpose. Here’s how to do it.   Recognize the barriers to seeing others.  For example, the erosion of our ability to pay attention is one barrier, and always feeling a […]

Employee mental health isn’t a side issue—it’s a core leadership responsibility. Most employees report at least one mental health challenge, and more than half of CEOs say they’ve struggled in the past year. Supporting well-being—for your team and yourself—requires more than surface-level solutions. Here’s how to lead with impact.   Change systems, not individuals. Wellness […]

You may think that urging employees to report abusive behavior is enough to address misconduct. It’s not. Who reports abuse matters just as much as what gets reported—especially when evidence is thin. Without changes to how reports are handled, organizations risk reinforcing bias rather than fixing it. Here’s what to do differently.   Recognize credibility […]

Even the best leaders hit a wall when their default style no longer gets results. Maybe your team stops responding, or stakeholders lose trust. The key isn’t to double down—it’s to adapt. Here’s how.   Scan for shifts in the business, stakeholders, and yourself. When your approach falters, ask what’s changed. Is the business evolving? […]

Today’s cyber threats may be unpredictable—but unforced errors are preventable. By adopting a stewardship mindset to cybersecurity, you can reduce risk, improve oversight, and guide your board to smarter decisions. Here’s how to start. Make stewardship your starting point. Stewardship—a view that recognizes cybersecurity’s business relevance and acknowledges its potential strategic consequences—should guide every boardroom […]

Stretch assignments are a powerful tool for developing early-career talent—but only when the value is clearly communicated and rewards are distributed fairly. Without structure, organizations risk reinforcing inequity instead of building potential. Here’s what to focus on. Communicate the assignments’ importance clearly. Many employees don’t realize how critical stretch assignments are until after they’re passed […]

When big changes shake your organization, employees need clarity, empathy, and direction. An all-hands meeting isn’t just a status update—it’s an opportunity to rebuild trust and help your team reorient. Here’s how to do it well. Get everyone on the same page. Share a clear, simple narrative: what happened and why, as well as where […]

A strong CEO-board relationship isn’t built simply on the volume of communication—it’s built on better timing and structure of those interactions. When you manage each touchpoint with the board with intention, you build trust and gain the autonomy you need to lead effectively. Here’s how to do it. Frame the discussion without overexposing. Avoid one-on-one […]

When conditions shift faster than your strategy can adapt, paralysis can set in. Plans lose relevance. Priorities get murky. But waiting for clarity isn’t an option; you need to move forward—quickly and flexibly. Here’s how to keep your strategy effective in uncertain times. Prioritize cash and financial flexibility. Amid disruption, cash gives you options. Improve […]

Yesterday, we shared three ways to begin structuring work for AI-human teams. Today, we’re back with four more tips to help you build a scalable workforce strategy that treats agentic AI as a core part of the talent mix. Redesign your labor model. Blend full-time employees, freelancers, and AI agents into a unified strategy. Decide […]

AI is no longer just a tool; it’s part of your workforce. If you want to lead effectively in this new era of “agentic AI”—AI systems that can act independently, without constant human supervision—you’ll need to treat AI agents as teammates, not just software. That starts by rethinking how you structure and source work. Map […]