HBR Work Smart

Just be yourself, right? We're complex people. Professionally, we're recent graduates, employees, star performers, and first-time managers. But we're also best friends, devoted family members, sports fans, plant parents, social justice warriors, or any other combination of these and other traits. But how much of ourselves should we really bring to the workplace? “Authenticity, Identity, and Being Yourself at Work” is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer this and other questions like: What does authenticity really mean at work? What values do I want to live into? How do I take control of my professional identity? How should I disclose personal information without oversharing? In what ways can I overcome feelings of impostor syndrome? When should I conform to my company's culture-and when should I stand out? This book will help you figure out how much of "you" to bring to work so that you feel more comfortable and confident-and ensure you're presenting yourself as you want to be seen.

Be the boss people want to work for. Being a manager is no easy task. You must set and meet team goals that match business objectives while also ensuring growth and development opportunities for your people. You have to be the voice of authority and a key decision-maker while simultaneously giving your employees autonomy and flexibility. How do you navigate these tensions? People, Performance, and Succeeding as a Manager is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer that and other questions, such as: Is being a manager right for me? What qualities should a boss have? How do I build trust with my team? What is the best way to deliver constructive feedback? How do I motivate my employees? Are there common mistakes I should be avoiding? This book will help you figure out what kind of manager you want to be so that you can feel comfortable in your role, encourage the success of your people, and grow in your own career.

Whether we're just starting out or are well into our professional journeys, we often equate our productivity with the number of hours we spend working. But do we really need to work endless hours, through weekends, and during vacations to be seen as stars? To find a healthy balance between our personal and professional lives, we need to make space for ourselves, define what we value most, and set goals that take those values into account. “Boundaries, Priorities, and Finding Work-Life Balance” is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions like: -How do I make better decisions about my time? -How do I set clear boundaries surrounding my work life and my personal life? -How can I pursue my passions while making time for my job? -What steps can I take to protect my energy and mental health at work? You'll spend a significant part of your life working. This book will help you define what you need to feel balanced and fulfilled, on or off the clock.

Build the career you want-on your terms. "Where do you see yourself in five years?" If this question makes you nauseous, you're not alone. Starting out in the working world is hard enough, but thinking long-term about our career-and whether we even want a capital-C "career"-can be daunting and exhausting. Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to build a career that fits your interests, needs, and passions. “Experience, Opportunity, and Developing Your Career” is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions like: Should I choose to follow my passion, or focus on the paycheck? How can I know if a job is really right for me? What are my values, and how can they help me figure out what I want? Are there ways to make the most of the skills and experience I already have? What does it even mean to build a career? And how can I move on if I realize I'm on the wrong path? This book will help you define the career that fits you, so you can align your passions and values with your daily work.

Communication is key. Effective communication is essential to standing out at work and excelling in your career. But when it comes to making a convincing point in a meeting, crafting the perfect email, or nailing a presentation, there's a lot to navigate. What kind of language do you use with a varied audience? Which channel is best for which message? How much do body language and Zoom backgrounds matter? And what should you not say? Writing, Presenting, and Communicating with Confidence is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions such as: How can I prepare for the most difficult conversations? What can I do to improve my writing? What strategies can I use to overcome my anxiety about public speaking? How can I boost my presence and influence through persuasive communication? Writing, speaking, and communicating with confidence can be intimidating. This book gives you the tools to stand out and deliver your message more successfully.

I'm not here to make work friends. Or am I? Managers, peers, work friends, mentors, frenemies, annoying people, romantic interests, people with awful politics, your boss's boss, and so on... we probably spend more hours with our coworkers than with anyone else. So even if they're not all perfect, it's worth it to build connections that will provide you with support, help you network and learn, and keep your career moving forward. Bosses, Coworkers, and Building Great Work Relationships is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions like: What should I do to show my boss I'm ready for a bigger role? How do I connect with people and make real friends at work? Is there a way to have tough conversations without setting myself up for drama? When should I opt in (or out) of office politics? What can I do to fix things after an awkward situation? How can I quiet my mind when I'm anxious about what other people think of me? This book will help you make so-so work relationships better, keep the bad ones from bringing you down, and build lasting connections with incredible people.