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Work can be frustrating. How can you get along with that maddening coworker? Figure out what your unapproachable boss really wants? Motivate your demoralized team? "Dear HBR:" is here to help. With empathy, experience, and humor, veteran Harvard Business Review editors and co-hosts Alison Beard and…

Harvard Business Review


    • Nov 30, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 79 EPISODES

    4.6 from 735 ratings Listeners of Dear HBR: that love the show mention: research based, workplace, pleasant, technical, useful, view, relevant, points, advice, practical, perspectives, hosts, different, insights, helpful, worth, every episode, topics, great show, content.


    Ivy Insights

    The Dear HBR podcast is a must-listen for anyone navigating corporate America or non-profits. The hosts, Dan and Alison, approach every question with the assumption of best intentions and provide insightful advice from different angles. They tackle relevant topics and share their experience and wisdom effortlessly. The production quality is fantastic, making it easy to follow along.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the beautiful tone and diverse viewpoints presented by the hosts and guest speakers. They consistently help listeners look at problems and opportunities from a variety of angles, considering nuances and situational contexts. The content is always relevant and relatable, providing valuable insights that can boost motivation and increase skills and capabilities. Additionally, the advice given to letter writers is practical, research-based, and clearly communicated.

    However, one issue that some listeners may have with this podcast is the volume of the background music. It can be distracting at times and require more effort to focus on the conversations. This small drawback could potentially be improved in future episodes.

    In conclusion, The Dear HBR podcast stands out as one of the best podcasts available. It provides great content on relevant topics, presented in an engaging conversational tone. Listeners can gain invaluable insight into work issues and learn how to approach them in a strategic way. Despite its technical glitch for some Apple users, this podcast is still highly recommended for anyone managing a team or starting out in a new leadership role.



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    Latest episodes from Dear HBR:

    Introducing New Here: Office Etiquette

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 26:25


    While Dear HBR: is on hiatus, we want to introduce you to HBR's podcast for young professionals, New Here, hosted by Elainy Mata. Whether it's your first job or a fresh start, New Here will help you build a meaningful career on your own terms. In this episode, Elainy and comedian Sarah Cooper break down the unwritten rules around to how to behave in a new job—otherwise known as office etiquette. Listen for free to season one of New Here at HBR.org/Podcasts/New-Here or wherever you get your podcasts.

    HBR Presents: Coaching Real Leaders

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2021 38:28


    This new podcast features real-life coaching sessions with leaders working to overcome professional challenges. In this episode, host Muriel Wilkins speaks with a woman who’s been walking a tightrope between addressing a superior’s microaggressions and making her team feel safe. Wilkins coaches this manager toward the actions she can take to improve the situation and build a healthier culture at her organization. "Coaching Real leaders" is part of HBR Presents, a network of business podcasts curated by HBR editors.

    New Chapters

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2020 30:56


    Is it time to do something different in your career? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Bruce Feiler, a researcher and the author of Life Is in the Transitions. They talk through what to do when you’ve been out of work and can’t find a job the usual ways, you feel lost in the ambiguity of a new role, or you want to convince your boss to release you to another team.

    Remote Feedback

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 31:20


    Is it hard for you to give or get feedback virtually? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Marcus Buckingham, a cohead of the ADP Research Institute and the author of Nine Lies about Work. They talk through what to do when you want to tell your boss they’re derailing virtual meetings, you’re starting a new job remotely and getting little guidance, or you want more feedback on your organization’s performance during the pandemic.

    work remote marcus buckingham adp research institute nine lies
    Commutes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 31:26


    Is the pandemic making you rethink your commute? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Ashley Whillans, a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of the new book Time Smart. They talk through what to do when you want to work remotely but your company is against it, you’re considering a new job closer to home, or you’ve been offered a job that’s a great fit but comes with a longer commute.

    Safe Workplaces

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 32:58


    What will it take for you to feel safe at work again? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Ethan Bernstein, a professor at Harvard Business School. They talk through what to do when your essential employees are staying home despite increased safety measures, you want to redesign your open office to make it work for the new normal, or you’re seeing a growing divide between workers who have to come in and those who can work from home.

    Sexism

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 34:57


    Are you experiencing gender bias at work? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Katie Coffman, a professor at Harvard Business School. They talk through what to do when you are held to a higher standard as a female manager, you’ve been promoted but a male deputy has been chosen for you, or you join a company that is living in the past.

    Flawed Bosses

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 36:58


    Do you wish you could understand your boss better? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Mimi Nicklin, a business coach and author. They talk through what to do when you have a boss who is unforgiving, who relies on you to cover their flaws, or who flip-flops between being your warm friend and cold supervisor.

    Coaching Problem Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 35:22


    Do you have a difficult subordinate who needs coaching? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Melvin Smith, a professor at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. They talk through what to do when your new employee is slacking off, a new hire needs to adjust to your organization’s culture and communication style, or you have to coach two direct reports who are in conflict with each other.

    Public Sector Careers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 30:28


    Are your workplace dilemmas different because you’re in the public sector? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Bernie Banks, a retired U.S. Army general and a professor at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. They talk through what to do when you want to effect change as a middle manager in the military, you’re battling misperceptions of public-sector work as you switch to the private sector, or you want to boost the morale of your team of government workers.

    Covid and Kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2020 29:57


    Are you a working parent stressing over how to advance your career during the pandemic? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Alyssa Westring, a professor at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business. They talk through what to do when you now want to quit your job to be a stay-at-home parent, your reduced salary and growth prospects are hurting your plans to have children, or a Covid-delayed job start date is tricky timing for your pregnancy.

    Management Material

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 33:22


    Do you have what it takes to be a manager? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Ellen Van Oosten, a professor at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. They talk through what to do when you’ve been tapped for a managerial role but you don’t want it, you have only informal management experience on your CV, or your supervisor is blocking you from earning the title of manager.

    Start-Ups

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2020 32:59


    Are you struggling with start-up life? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Dave Balter, an entrepreneur, CEO, and author. They talk through what to do when you’re burning out due to a frenzied workload, a key hire is hurting your start-up’s culture, or you want more pay because of your fast-growing responsibilities.

    ceo startups dave balter
    Frustrated Engineers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2020 31:47


    As an engineer, do you feel you carry a bigger burden at work? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Richard Sheridan, an engineer, CEO, and author. They talk through what to do when you want to influence decisions as a technical expert, you’re a female engineer seeing your male counterparts promoted more quickly, or you have a hard time committing fully to flawed projects.

    Self-Promotion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2020 28:45


    Are you unsure of when to toot your own horn? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Meredith Fineman, a communication coach and author. They talk through what to do when your boss takes credit for your accomplishments, your employer doesn’t value what you bring to the table, or your braggart colleague is getting all the growth opportunities.

    Tough Teams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 28:59


    Is a team you manage keeping you up at night? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Melanie Parish, a leadership coach and author. They talk through what to do when you lead a rogue team that doesn’t follow company processes, your growing team of managers is clamoring to weigh in on key decisions, or you want to improve the morale of a frustrated team.

    Covid-Delayed Start (Bonus)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 15:15


    Is your new employer pushing back your start date due to the pandemic? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Moshe Cohen, a senior lecturer at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. In this bonus episode, they talk through what to do when your new boss postpones your first day on the job and then doesn’t respond to your communications.

    Quitting Mid-Crisis (Bonus)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 13:57


    Are you leaving your organization during a critical time? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Shirli Kopelman, a negotiations professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. In this bonus episode, they talk through what to do when you’re planning to give notice during the coronavirus pandemic and can’t train your replacement.

    Pre-Pandemic Promises (Bonus)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 19:07


    Is your organization breaking a promise to you and blaming Covid-19? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Leigh Thompson, a negotiations professor at Kellogg School of Management. In this bonus episode, they talk through what to do when your boss can no longer afford to give you a planned raise.

    Onboarding Remotely (Bonus)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2020 14:20


    Are you starting a new job during the coronavirus pandemic? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Siobhan O’Mahony, a professor at Boston University Questrom School of Business. In this bonus episode, they talk through what to do when you want to hit the ground running but your onboarding is not taking place in person as planned.

    business onboarding remotely boston university questrom school
    Working While Distancing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 27:23


    Are you suddenly working from home? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Tsedal Neeley, a professor at Harvard Business School. They talk through how to be productive at home whether you’re alone or distracted by children, how to care for your newly remote team and make sure they still get work done, or how to adapt when your job requires going outside and seeing people face-to-face.

    Stay or Go?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2020 34:55


    When is the right time for a new job? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Hal Gregersen, a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management. They talk through what to do when you’re advancing in your role but itching for change, an outside job offer is making you question your current situation, or you’re considering going to a smaller organization for bigger responsibilities.

    Subversive Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2020 32:38


    Do you have an employee working against you? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Adrian Gostick, an executive coach and author. They talk through what to do when your direct report is creating problems only to fix them, one team member is hoarding knowledge, or two employees have created a disruptive office clique.

    Disagreeable Colleagues

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2020 28:58


    Is there someone you work with and wish you didn’t have to? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler, an organizational psychologist and the author of Optimal Outcomes. They talk through what to do when you manage a high performer who gets on everyone’s nerves, your teammate unfairly berates you, or the one person you don’t get along with is your boss.

    Feeling Disrespected

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 30:59


    Do you deserve more respect for your role and contributions at work? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Blair Decembrele, a career expert at LinkedIn. They talk through what to do when your direct report goes around you to your manager, your superiors move you into an undesired role without explanation, or your boss suddenly stops appreciating your work.

    Internal Networks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2020 32:57


    Do you wish you were more plugged-in at your organization? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Robin Abrahams, a research associate at Harvard Business School. They talk through what to do when you want to network at a company retreat, your manager is bothered by your schmoozing with their peers, or you want to know about plum projects before they get assigned to someone else.

    New Beginnings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2020 30:47


    Do you want a fresh start to your work life? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Wendy Wood, a social psychologist at USC Marshall School of Business. They talk through what to do when you’re bored to tears in your current job, you’re being recruited by an exciting company right after a disappointing promotion, or you feel stymied in a role you thought was going to be great.

    Gender Equality Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2019 39:12


    Are you being treated unfairly at work because of your gender? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Michelle King, the director of inclusion at Netflix. They talk through what to do when you and other women on your team are being marginalized, you’re a man experiencing reverse discrimination, or gender bias is blocking your advancement.

    Skills Gaps

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2019 33:33


    Are you underqualified for the job you want? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Obed Louissaint, IBM’s head of talent. They talk through what to do when an MBA isn’t enough to get you into your desired role, you’re trying to keep your skills current as you spend more time managing people, or you want to return to a fast-moving industry after a long stint in another field.

    Perfect Timing (Live)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 44:40


    Is the right career move coming at the wrong time? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Daniel Pink, the author of “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.” In front of a live audience, they talk through what to do when you’re poised for a better role but have to wait six months, you want your company to seize an immediate market opportunity, or you’re trying to correct a mistimed job move.

    Motivating Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 28:55


    Has your team checked out? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Richard Boyatzis, a management professor at Case Western Reserve University and coauthor of the book “Helping People Change.” They talk through what to do when a colleague wants the status of a prominent role but doesn’t want to do the work, employees are leaving the company at a high rate, or your subordinate resists doing any additional work.

    case western reserve university richard boyatzis motivating employees
    Heavy Workloads

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 34:16


    Do you or your team have way too much to do? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Amy Jen Su, an executive coach and author. They talk through what to do when you’re struggling to get things done at a new job, a coworker is stressed about their work, or you and your team disagree about whether they're overworked.

    Leaving Comfort Zones

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 27:19


    How do you feel when you have to do something new or difficult? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Andy Molinsky, a professor at Brandeis International Business School and the author of "Reach". They talk through what to do when you’re terrified of giving presentations, big changes at work make you uneasy about the future, or your voice quakes when you deal with conflict.

    Regaining Confidence

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2019 36:35


    Are you struggling to recover from a setback? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Neil Pasricha, a former Walmart executive and the author of You Are Awesome. They talk through what to do when your confidence is shattered by bad reviews, you’re in a difficult situation that you don't know how to navigate, or you want to be a high achiever again after plateauing for a while.

    Troublesome Teammates

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 35:56


    Is a coworker getting on your nerves? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Amy Gallo, the author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict. They talk through what to do when a coworker acts like their responsibilities are beneath them, a colleague you referred to the team is being aggressive and sneaky, or a fellow team member is coasting while you’re putting in long hours.

    Navigating Change (Live)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 35:16


    Is your organization going through some big shifts? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Katie Burke, the chief people officer of HubSpot. They talk through what to do when you’re ready to move up but there’s no one to take over your role, you’re expected to work on too many projects with too little support, or layoffs are happening but your boss isn't giving you more responsibility.

    Managing Older Workers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2019 32:59


    Are you struggling to manage people who are older than you? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of workplace consultant Lindsey Pollak. They talk through what to do when you’ve been promoted above more experienced colleagues, you’re not sure how to motivate older reports, or senior employees are skeptical of the technology you want to implement.

    Workplace Culture Conflicts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2019 30:51


    Are you at odds with your company’s culture? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Alicia Tillman, the CMO of SAP. They talk through what to do when your company celebrates one kind of worker and ignores others, everyone seems to fit in but you, or a hard-charging culture is hurting performance and employee morale.

    Client Troubles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2019 33:49


    Are clients bringing you down? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Diane Hessan, the founder and chair of the marketing technology agency C Space. They talk through what to do when you have a difficult client, your coworkers are hampering your ability to serve clientele, or you want to win more business to advance your career.

    clients troubles c space diane hessan
    Career Crossroads

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2019 52:00


    Are you weighing the trade-offs of a big career decision? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Claudio Fernández-Aráoz, a senior adviser at the executive search firm Egon Zehnder. They talk through what to do when you want to transition from individual contributor to management, you’re mulling over a more senior role at a smaller organization, or you’re having doubts about staying on a high-pressure career track.

    career crossroads egon zehnder claudio fern
    Nonprofit Workplaces

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2019 31:31


    Does standard work advice not apply to you because you’re at a nonprofit? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Joan Garry, a nonprofit leadership consultant and former executive director. They talk through what to do when you’re trying to advance amid a leadership change, your job seems to shift as sources of funding do, or you’re unsure how to describe your work to people in the private sector.

    Stretch Responsibilities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2019 35:30


    Are you being pushed outside your comfort zone? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Jerry Colonna, a professional coach and a former venture capitalist. They talk through what to do when you don't feel qualified for your new role, you're covering an absentee boss's responsibilities, or you have been assigned to lead a team but haven't been given formal power.

    Unwanted Roles

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2019 33:30


    Is your job turning into something you don't want? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Francesca Gino, a professor at Harvard Business School. They talk through what to do when your boss gives you duties you dislike, your company is grooming you for roles you can’t see yourself in, or you’ve been offered a different job than the one you applied for.

    Executive Ambitions

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2019 33:52


    Do you want the corner office someday? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Mike Troiano, a venture capitalist and former executive. They talk through what to do when you’re falling off the executive track, you're moving up but don’t believe in the company's strategy, or you have a rival who could block your path to the C-suite.

    Leading Small Teams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2019 32:00


    Do you have a hard time managing team dynamics? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Facebook executive Julie Zhuo. They talk through what to do when your subordinate is bossing around others on the team, a star performer you’ve hired threatens your status, or you want to help an underperforming team member.

    julie zhuo
    Counteroffers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2019 34:58


    Should you accept your boss's counteroffer to stay at the organization? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of Leigh Thompson, a negotiations professor at Kellogg School of Management. They talk through what to do when you’re presented with a counteroffer, you’re considering what you would need to stay at your company, or you want to use a job offer to get a raise.

    Overcoming Negativity

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 30:57


    Do you ruminate endlessly on difficult work situations? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of David DeSteno, a psychologist at Northeastern University. They talk through what to do when your boss constantly criticizes you, you’ve been fired unexpectedly, or your coworkers complain about you to your boss.

    Benefits and Perks

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2019 32:31


    Are you taking full advantage of your job's benefits and perks? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of PwC chief people officer Mike Fenlon. They talk through what to do when you’re deciding between freelancing and a staff position with benefits, you want your company to offer a new perk, or your job makes it hard to use your vacation days.

    Building Trust

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 34:59


    Could your workplace be more trusting? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of organizational psychologist Liane Davey. They talk through what to do when your new boss doesn’t trust you yet, you want to earn the trust of your subordinates, or company leaders have made employees afraid to speak up.

    building trust liane davey
    Critical Feedback

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2019 33:21


    Do you need to get better at giving and receiving feedback? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of consultant Ben Dattner. They talk through what to do when your employee wants to give you feedback, your feedback to others doesn't seem to make a difference, or someone who isn't your boss comments about your performance.

    Working Mothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 36:37


    Are you struggling to balance career and family? Dan and Alison answer your questions with the help of career coach Daisy Dowling. They talk through what to do when you’re returning from maternity leave, planning to have kids early in your career, or debating whether to quit your job to care for your children.

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