Eric Athas

Oct 8, 2024 | hbr.org | Eric Athas

HBR Learning Innovation and Creativity Course Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.

Sep 29, 2024 | ericathas.substack.com | Eric Athas

Whenever I’m thinking about ideas to send to you all, I’m reminded of a principle called Goodhart’s Law, which says: “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.”In other words, when you tell people they’re being evaluated by a target they must hit, you risk pushing them to produce the wrong results in the name of reaching the target. The incentives can drive them to fixate on achieving the target, not achieving the overall goal.

Jul 21, 2024 | ericathas.substack.com | Eric Athas

Here’s something to think about as you plan a vacation this summer: what will you do on the last day? Will you:A) Squeeze in one final new activity (try a new restaurant, explore a new trail, etc.)? B) Return to something you enjoyed earlier in the week (revisit a beach everyone seemed to like, go back to the fun ice cream shop, etc.)? This question was examined in a fascinating research paper titled, Ending on a Familiar Note: Perceived Endings Motivate Repeat Consumption.

Mar 21, 2024 | nytimes.com | Eric Athas

Unplugging is often impossible. Here’s a realistic guide to using your tech in a way that serves you.

Nov 19, 2023 | fastcompany.com | Eric Athas

By Eric Athas4 minute ReadThe last few decades have brought an onslaught of changes to the workplace. From the mobile revolution to cloud computing and, more recently, the pandemic and remote work. And now, leaders are shifting their attention to the next big thing: artificial intelligence. In the coming months and beyond, workers will find themselves engulfed by new projects. Memos will be sent. Decks will be presented. Workflows will be upended. Countless training sessions will be given.