HBR Ascend

Ascend, a division of Harvard Business Review, is designed for young individuals everywhere who are exploring the balance between their careers and personal lives. Our mission is to inspire readers with concepts that encourage curiosity, foster bravery, and aid in the journey of self-discovery both at work and in their daily lives.

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Articles

Want to Use AI as a Career Coach? Use These Prompts.

1 week ago | hbr.org | Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career professional seeking a change, or an executive looking to enhance leadership skills, a career coach can be an invaluable resource. A 2021 Harris Poll survey of 1,535 adults showed that while only 12% of working adults were currently utilizing a career counselor, nearly two-thirds agreed that it would be helpful to talk to a professional regarding future career moves.
Get Clearer, More Actionable Feedback

1 week ago | hbr.org | Melody Wilding

By Have you ever been on the receiving end of vague feedback? Maybe your manager has said that " you need to be more strategic." Or perhaps they've mentioned that they want to see you "deepen your knowledge of the business" or that they wish your direct report was more of a "team player." On the one hand, you may appreciate hearing their take, but on the other hand, you might feel frustrated that their guidance isn't actionable or clear.
Understanding the Global Macroeconomic Impacts of Trump's Tariffs

2 weeks ago | hbr.org | Martin Reeves

By On April 2, President Trump followed through on campaign promises to steeply hike tariffs on U.S. trading partners, taking the average effective tariff rate to around 23%, a near 10-fold increase of the rate last year. As sharp and severe selloffs in financial markets underline the global scope and radical uncertainty of this move, executives are racing to build an understanding of the global economic impact.
What Is the Office for Today?

2 weeks ago | hbr.org | Gretchen Gavett

As an unprecedented number of people began working from home during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, my HBR colleagues and I wondered what this shift would mean-and what core aspects of the office might survive.
The Tariff Wars Just Upended Your Supply Chain. Here’s How to Adapt.

2 weeks ago | hbr.org

The huge uncertainties unleashed by President Trump’s tariff war has made business planning almost impossible. To cope, managers need to take stock of the challenges. They should also take steps to better ride out the gyrations and prepare for what may lie beyond them. These steps include: make sure your organizations are prepared with country-of-origin documentation; analyze the feasibility of your manufacturing locations; and rethink the trading blocs in which you do business.
Are You Missing Growth Opportunities for Your Platform?

2 weeks ago | hbr.org

Seven of the world’s 10 most valuable companies have launched platform businesses, as have over 60% of unicorn startups. Many companies that didn’t start out as platform businesses—from retailers Walmart and Amazon to software providers Salesforce and ServiceNow—have also successfully accelerated their growth through platform strategies. But numerous companies have missed out on growth opportunities. Why does one platform company succeed at growth while another does not? The authors’ research points to four main reasons: Unsuccessful firms don’t systematically consider all growth options; they mistakenly believe they must own the various kinds of interactions that occur on the platform, not realizing that huge growth often lies in not owning them; they overlook options to engage companies that can add value or even disrupt their businesses; and they don’t identify a compelling theme that broadens their scope. This article offers guidance for overcoming those impediments to growth.
How Should Gen AI Fit into Your Marketing Strategy?

4 weeks ago | hbr.org

To successfully integrate generative AI (gen AI) in marketing, companies need to balance automation, customization, and human oversight. As such, they should follow a few steps. First, determine whether a task requires gen AI for content creation or analytical AI for data-driven predictions—often, a combination of both is ideal. Next, assess whether to rely on general AI models or invest in proprietary training data to enhance accuracy and reduce risks. Finally, establish the appropriate level of human review based on risk—low-risk tasks like summarizing reviews may be fully automated, while high-stakes content, such as legally binding promotions, requires rigorous oversight. Using a structured framework to evaluate these trade-offs ensures that gen AI enhances efficiency while mitigating errors, privacy concerns, and regulatory risks.
Cover Letters Still Matter-Even If They’re Not Required

4 weeks ago | hbr.org | Joel Schwartzberg

As someone with decades of experience as a job interviewer and applicant, I’m always surprised when I encounter dismissiveness—and outright disdain—of cover letters (especially when that sentiment comes from someone applying for a communications role). Cover letter critics argue that recruiters don’t read cover letters and that they are a waste of everyone’s time. I couldn’t disagree more, but don’t take it from me.
When You Oversell Your Abilities and It Backfires

1 month ago | hbr.org | Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Ben, an executive coaching client of Ron’s who was one of three candidates being considered as the next CEO of his company, said to him, “I have to convince them that I’m better than I am!”That was the worst thing Ben could have done. If he got the job, he’d spend the entire time trying to keep up the illusion, enduring the tension between who he’d convinced others he is and who he actually is. Ron’s advice?
A Guide to Updating Your Resume When Moving from Public to Private Sector

1 month ago | hbr.org | Marlo Lyons

A Guide to Updating Your Resume When Moving from Public to Private SectorMarch 20, 2025After steady growth in U.S. public sector employment in 2024, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2025. With constant announcements of federal workforce layoffs and cuts, hundreds of thousands of government employees’ jobs are at risk. Many of these people will seek new employment in the private sector.