Communication Skills

Clear communication skills are essential for everyone to work together effectively and to create a positive work environment. The following Harvard ManageMentor topics will aid in honing your communication skills. Read the articles from Harvard Business Review, browse the available tools and templates or share concepts as you discover your own ah ha moments.

Harvard ManageMentor Topics

Difficult Interactions

Learn the common causes of difficult interactions in the workplace and the benefits of effective conflict management. Take away tips for dealing with the emotions involved, for overcoming the barriers that prevent people from addressing conflict, and for managing conflict between employees.

Meeting Management

Prepare for a successful meeting by clarifying the purpose of the meeting, creating an agenda, and determining who to invite. Learn tactics for conducting a meeting effectively, such as ensuring that everyone at the meeting participates and keeping the discussion focused on the agenda. Understand common problems that can arise during a meeting, and find out how to resolve them. Master tactics for ending a meeting effectively and following up.

Negotiating

Successfully negotiate agreements that benefit you and your organization. Learn how to prepare for a negotiation, conduct tactical discussions, avoid common errors, and overcome obstacles.

Presentation Skills

Learn how to analyze your audience and the setting (whether in-person or remote) so you can more effectively prepare for and deliver a presentation. Find out how to gather and use facts, evidence, stories, and media (including visual aids) to support the main messages you want to convey in your presentation. Discover tactics for structuring and managing the three critical components of your speech: the opening, the body, and the call to action. Explore best practices for rehearsing your presentations and for managing challenges that can arise as you’re delivering a talk, whether it’s “stage fright” or provocative, tough questions from your audience. Includes a section on evaluating your presentations to identify lessons you can apply to subsequent talks.

Writing Skills

Discover the secrets to effective business writing. Plan a writing project by clarifying your purpose and audience and brainstorming ideas to include. Learn how to organize the content by creating an outline that reflects your intended structure. Create a first draft of your piece while resisting the urge to edit as you write. Explore best practices for revising your first draft. Master critical writing skills such as grammar, punctuation, structure, and style.