Books in the HBR Guide series

Great teams don't just happen.How often have you sat in team meetings complaining to yourself, "e;Why does it take forever for this group to make a simple decision? What are we even trying to achieve?"e; As a team leader, you have the power to improve things. It's up to you to get people to work well together and produce results.Written by team expert Mary Shapiro, the HBR Guide to Leading Teams will help you avoid the pitfalls you've experienced in the past by focusing on the often-neglected people side of teams. With practical exercises, guidelines for structured team conversations, and step-by-step advice, this guide will help you:Pick the right team membersSet clear, smart goalsFoster camaraderie and cooperationHold people accountableAddress and correct bad behaviorKeep your team focused and motivated

Forget about the hard bargain.Whether you're discussing the terms of a high-stakes deal, forming a key partnership, asking for a raise, or planning a family event, negotiating can be stressful. One person makes a demand, the other concedes a point. In the end, you settle on a subpar solution in the middle-if you come to any agreement at all.But these discussions don't need to be win-or-lose situations. Written by negotiation expert Jeff Weiss, the HBR Guide to Negotiating provides a disciplined approach to finding a solution that works for everyone involved. Using a seven-part framework, this book delivers tips and advice to move you from a game of concessions and compromises to one of collaboration and creativity, resulting in better outcomes and better working relationships. You'll learn how to:Prepare for your conversationUnderstand everyone's interestsCraft the right messageWork with multiple partiesDisarm aggressive negotiatorsChoose the best solution

Take the stress out of giving feedback.To help your employees meet their goals and fulfill their potential, you need to provide them with regular feedback. But the prospect of sharing potentially negative news can be overwhelming. How do you construct your message so that it's not only well received but also expressed in a way that encourages change?Whether you're commending exemplary work or addressing problem behavior, the HBR Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback provides you with practical advice and tips to transform any performance discussion-from weekly check-ins to annual reviews-into an opportunity for growth and development. You'll learn to:Establish trust with your direct reportsAssess their performance fairlyEmphasize improvement, even in criticismReact calmly to a defensive feedback recipientRecognize and motivate star performersCreate individualized development plansArm yourself with the advice you need to succeed on the job, from a source you trust. Packed with how-to essentials from leading experts, the HBR Guides provide smart answers to your most pressing work challenges.