PON – Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School

Conflict resolution is the the process of resolving a dispute by meeting at least some of each side’s needs while addressing their underlying interests. In practice, effective conflict resolution often requires a blend of power-based and interest-based approaches, su...

In the midst of conflict, it can be challenging to see clearly how tensions escalated or what steps might lead to resolution. Emotions often cloud judgment, making it easy to react rather than reflect. By pausing to examine the elements of the conflict, such as what sparked it, how each party has contributed, and what is truly at stake, you can begin to regain perspecti...

Whether you’re planning to put your home up for sale, trying to unload excess merchandise, or searching for new clients, there’s a good chance you’ll make your next sales negotiation more challenging than it needs to be by falling into common cognitive traps. You can improve your

These days, directive leadership may seem out of step with modern preferences for more egalitarian management styles. Yet research stretching back decades suggests that directive leadership still has its time and place, especially in situations where clarity, structure, and swift decision-making are essential.

The concept...

Ask the managers of a certain high-volume restaurant in the Midwest what their greatest work challenge is, and they’ll likely answer with some version of the same refrain: managing difficult employees.

When something goes wrong—an item sells out during the lunch rush, customers complain about slow service, or a delivery arrives late—a manager often respo...