About Doug
Doug Stone is a leading expert on negotiation and difficult conversations, serving as a founding partner at Triad Consulting Group and a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, bringing his extensive knowledge to the Best Practice Institute as an Expert Faculty member.
Who is Doug Stone?
Doug Stone is a key figure in the fields of negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution. As a founding partner of Triad Consulting Group, he provides training and consulting services to a diverse range of organizations globally. He also holds a distinguished position as a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches negotiation.
Stone's work extends beyond the classroom and consulting room. He has dedicated 22 years to the Harvard Negotiation Project, collaborating with pioneers in the field, including Roger Fisher. His insights have been featured on prominent media outlets like Oprah and NPR’s Diane Rehm Show, and he has delivered keynote addresses at international forums such as the World Negotiation Forum in Brazil, establishing his reputation as a thought leader in his domain.
Quick facts about Doug Stone
| | |---|---| | Role | Founding Partner, Lecturer on Law | | Company | Triad Consulting Group, Harvard Law School | | Expertise | Negotiation, Difficult Conversations, Feedback, Conflict Resolution | | Notable for | Co-authoring influential books on communication and feedback; teaching negotiation at Harvard Law School; extensive consulting work | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Doug Stone known for?
Doug Stone is recognized for several significant contributions to the fields of negotiation and communication:
- Co-author of Thanks for the Feedback: This influential book, co-authored with Sheila Heen, delves into the science of receiving feedback, drawing from neuroscience and psychology.
- Expertise in Difficult Conversations: He has developed frameworks and strategies for navigating challenging interpersonal communications in both personal and professional settings.
- Consulting for Major Organizations: Through Triad Consulting Group, he has advised companies such as Fidelity, Honda, HP, IBM, Merck, Microsoft, Shell, Time Warner, and The Nature Conservancy on improving communication and negotiation skills.
- Lecturer at Harvard Law School: Stone teaches negotiation as part of the renowned Harvard Negotiation Project, where he has also contributed to advanced negotiation theory.
- Global Mediator and Trainer: He has mediated and provided training in international contexts, working with diverse groups including mediators and journalists in South Africa, political leaders in Cyprus, and diplomats in Ethiopia.
What is Doug Stone's background and experience?
Doug Stone graduated from Brown University in 1980 and Harvard Law School in 1984. Before returning to Harvard, he practiced transactional and regulatory banking law at firms in Boston and New York. His legal background provides a practical foundation for his work in negotiation and conflict resolution.
He then embarked on a long and distinguished career at Harvard Law School, spending 22 years with the Harvard Negotiation Project. There, he collaborated with esteemed colleagues like Roger Fisher, focusing on advanced negotiation applications and the development of negotiation theory. This deep academic and practical engagement led him to co-found Triad Consulting Group.
What topics does Doug Stone speak and write about?
Doug Stone's work consistently centers on the complexities of human interaction, particularly in areas of negotiation, feedback, and managing difficult exchanges. He emphasizes the importance of understanding underlying dynamics and developing practical strategies for effective communication. His insights help individuals and organizations navigate conflict, build stronger relationships, and achieve better outcomes.
His research and publications, including Thanks for the Feedback, provide actionable advice grounded in psychological principles. He explores how to give and receive feedback constructively, manage difficult employees by focusing on active listening, and generally approach challenging conversations with a learning mindset. Stone's work provides frameworks for distinguishing between different types of feedback—appreciation, coaching, and evaluation—to enable more productive interactions.
How does Doug Stone contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an Expert Faculty member of the Best Practice Institute, Doug Stone shares his profound expertise in negotiation and difficult conversations with BPI's global community. His contributions help BPI members hone critical communication skills essential for effective leadership and fostering a Most Loved Workplace®.
Stone's insights align with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices in organizational leadership. His methodologies for constructive feedback and conflict resolution directly support the development of positive workplace cultures, which are foundational to the SPARK Model and the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI). Through his involvement, BPI members gain access to world-class strategies for transforming challenging interactions into opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Where can you learn more from Doug Stone?
Further insights from Doug Stone can be found through his work at Triad Consulting Group and Harvard Law School. His books offer extensive knowledge on feedback and difficult conversations. While he has yet to present directly for BPI, his expertise remains a valuable resource for those interested in advanced communication and negotiation strategies.