planning

Executive Summary The employment shift from occupations in the middle of the skill distribution toward those at the high and low ends is one of the most important trends in the U.S. labor market over the past 30 years. Previous research has suggested that a primary driver of this job polarization is something called routine-biased technological […]

Executive Summary Why do we procrastinate, even though we know it’s against our best interests? And how can we overcome it? A careful look at the science behind procrastination reveals five tips. First, figure out which of seven triggers are set off by the task you want to avoid. Is it boring, frustrating, or difficult? […]

Executive Summary AI is a prediction technology. Its improvement is akin to turning up the volume knob on a speaker dial. But rather than volume, you’re turning up the AI’s prediction accuracy. What happens to Amazon’s strategy as their data scientists, engineers, and machine learning experts work tirelessly to dial up the accuracy on the prediction […]

Executive Summary Scientific studies have long suggested that investing in the right people will maximize organizations’ returns. In a world of unlimited resources, organizations would surely invest in everyone.In the real world, however, limited budgets force organizations to be much more selective, which explains the growing interest in high potential (HiPo) identification. If we are […]

At a time of profound volatility in the U.S. health system, change management is an essential skill for public and private leaders alike. For these leaders — and young people aspiring to careers as health care managers — one very practical question emerges. What are the critical skills for leading major change in our health system? As […]

As digital technologies permeate all aspects of their operations, companies around the world anticipate the need for massive change over the next five years, according to a new global survey by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services. But can these organizations adapt fast enough? Almost all of the 376 business leaders in the survey said they […]

Executive Summary Researchers have long studied how to make brainstorming sessions more effective — for example, by setting quantity goals, instead of quality ones.  A recent study indicates that people can also be primed for more creative idea generation when they kick-off such sessions by sharing embarrassing stories, which lowers their inhibitions and, thus, improves […]

Jack is well-known in his company for delivering growth through high-performing, cross-functional teams. Where others get stuck in silos, he fosters innovation through collaboration. But these days, when you exit the elevator on his floor, you sense fear wafting through the halls. He’s nine months into a new role as Business Unit Leader, and a […]

Executive Summary For decades, we have heard that emerging markets are poised for huge growth that will yield even greater prosperity. But a long list of obstacles always seems to be getting in the way of realizing this potential. Startup accelerator programs have been touted as one path to faster progress. But is the boost that accelerators give in […]

Corporate leaders are increasingly concerned about energy, seeing it not just as a cost to be managed but as a key to the future sustainability of their companies. Climate change also is a major concern. How are leading organizations dealing with this challenge? In this edition of the Quick Take, insights from the latest Harvard […]

Executive Summary Despite the billions of dollars companies spend on employee training, research shows that workers are unconsciously incompetent in 20% to 40% of areas critical to their performance. How can you teach people skills and knowledge they don’t know they lack? By redesigning corporate learning programs so they are adaptive and force users to […]

Executive Summary In late August, Lee Jae-yong, the heir apparent of Samsung, was sentenced to five years in prison. It was once unthinkable that the head of South Korea’s largest conglomerate could be sent to prison; Lee’s father, Lee Kun-hee, was twice pardoned by the government. But public sentiment, which used to hold that what […]

Executive Summary Want to be surrounded by some of the most competitive people on the planet? Work in sales, where paychecks, bonuses, promotions, and stature are usually tied directly to organizational quotas and individual results. A little competition can be a good thing. But often it goes too far — and ironically, performance can suffer […]

Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s third CEO, opens up about his effort to refresh the culture of the company and renew its focus on the future. He reflects on important life lessons he learned growing up in India, immigrating to the U.S., and working for Microsoft for 25 years. Nadella thinks of the past, he says, for […]

Executive Summary When you’re working from home, you can easily be distracted by household chores, personal priorities, and even friends and family. To focus more effectively, you need to set boundaries. Here are some tips for how you can make remote work more productive and satisfying, whether it’s an everyday occurrence or an occasional day […]

Executive Summary It’s difficult enough to stay resilient in the face of high demands and changing circumstances. Imagine adding extreme physical conditions, threats to personal safety, natural disasters, armed conflict, large numbers of traumatized people, minimal infrastructure, and complex, multi-stakeholder relations to your list of challenges. While most of us do not face situations this […]

Consider the following situations: A surgeon creates an online profile of her qualifications and experience for potential patients, but she does not include her patient mortality rates. After one of her patients dies on the operating table, a lawyer for the patient’s family discovers that the surgeon deliberately withheld the mortality data. You are eating […]

Business leaders have significant concerns about energy. A Harvard Business Review Analytic Services report, sponsored by Siemens in conjunction with a national series of seminars focused on energy innovation, found that approximately 90 percent of executives feel significant pressure to reduce their energy spend, and more than 80 percent said fluctuating energy prices are a […]

You’re working on a cross-functional initiative that’s critical to your company. Given your position, you’ve assumed you’re in charge, but it seems your counterpart from another team has made the same assumption. And now you’re in the middle of a turf war. How do you determine who has authority? How do you navigate the situation with […]

There is a special kind of boss. The one who fills up every room with their big ego and even bigger heart. Who voices the hard truths without making you lose hope, and makes you work harder and feel lighter for it. We often call such bosses “rock stars,” to underscore their popular appeal. Some […]

Executive Summary The modern worker has very little time for learning, and yet continuous learning is vital for anyone who wants to maintain their edge. There’s a significant pressure on us all to learn the right stuff, but how do we identify what that is? A time-utility analysis can help you decide what to prioritize. By examining […]

Executive Summary When we attempt to motivate people, we try to elicit an anticipation of pleasure by promising rewards (a bonus, a promotion, positive feedback, public recognition), or we try to warn of the pain of punishment (a demotion, negative feedback, public humiliation). But what’s not always clear is: Which should we be using — the […]

Executive Summary Becoming location-independent and traveling the world is more possible than ever. With the internet and a laptop, scores of professions that were once desk-bound — consulting, writing, researching, designing, and more — are now free to conduct business from around the globe. But is the lifestyle right for you? Before making the decision, […]

Executive Summary Companies need proactive employees. They are essential for suggesting, developing, and sustaining innovative new projects and for helping companies stay competitive. But organizations must make sure that proactive employees know the types of risks to take and those to avoid. On the one hand, top managers need to provide autonomy so that middle […]

Executive Summary Conventional wisdom suggests that the most charismatic leaders are also the best leaders. But research shows that, while at least a moderate level of charisma is important, too much may hinder a leader’s effectiveness. Three studies — involving 800 business leaders globally and around 7,500 of their superiors, peers, and subordinates — suggests that […]

Executive Summary Executives spend too much time on information processing, reaction, and execution, and not enough on slow, deliberative, reflective thinking. But some CEOs have managed to resist these tendencies. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg read extensively, safeguard time for personal development projects, and constantly seek new stimulus and perspectives. Leaders such as […]

Executive Summary Let’s face it. Most of us go through the motions, phoning it in, but engage in our work less than we are capable of. The consequence is not just lower productivity; it is lower quality of life. Half-hearted effort isn’t fun. The first responsibility of leaders — whether front line supervisors, middle managers, […]

Executive Summary The Equifax breach is different from previous breaches. It isn’t the largest or the most embarrassing, but it involves personal data that people didn’t directly give to Equifax, which makes the nature of the breach unique. The company is facing a number of lawsuits, and Congress is demanding answers. But U.S. citizens may find […]

Executive Summary Work invariably ebbs and flows, cycling between steady states, where we feel more in control of the pace and workload, and peak periods, where the work crunch hits us hard. Maintaining focus and managing energy levels become critical as tasks pile onto an already full load. When you’re in your next work crunch, […]

Executive Summary The food and grocery industry feels threatened by Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods, but it faces a bigger but quieter threat: the long-term decline of people’s interest in cooking. Instead of ignoring this behavioral shift, food companies should become more proactive by exiting categories that have no future, focusing on super-premium products, and using […]

Executive Summary How do you evaluate the myriad of business opportunities you face every day? Should you speak at that event? Author a book? Attend a strategy summit? As you face an opportunity, or as you seek the opportunities you’d like to pursue, try ranking them according to five critical factors. 1.) Will this opportunity […]

Jennifer Riel, an adjunct professor at the Rotman School of Management, presents a model way to solve problems: integrative thinking. It’s taking the best from two inadequate options to come up with a successful solution. She gives examples from the film industry to show how CEOs have put the process to work. Riel is the […]

If you’ve ever cringed in a meeting when your direct report was talking, you know how tough it can be to watch a team member undermine themselves. Maybe the person is interrupting colleagues too often. Or being condescending, or even combative. No matter the specific behavior, your employee is clearly rubbing people the wrong way. […]

Executive Summary The online economy — from search to email to social media — is built in large part on the fact that consumers are willing to give away their data in exchange for products that are free and easy to use. But a new working paper, released this week by Lesley Chiou of Occidental College and Catherine Tucker […]