About Holly
Who is Holly Weeks?
Holly Weeks is a distinguished educator, consultant, and author specializing in communications issues. She serves as an Adjunct Lecturer in Management Leadership and Decision Sciences at the Harvard Kennedy School, where she teaches the Arts of Communication. Additionally, she is an Adjunct Lecturer in Communication and the Vision Speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Through her firm, Holly Weeks Communication, she provides consulting and coaching services, helping individuals and organizations navigate complex communication challenges, particularly in sensitive and difficult situations.
What is Holly Weeks known for?
Holly Weeks is widely recognized for her expertise in dissecting how conversations go wrong and providing practical strategies to rectify them. Her work emphasizes developing conversational intelligence, which encompasses negotiation, presentation, and both written and verbal communication skills. She is particularly adept at guiding individuals through challenging interpersonal dynamics, focusing on effective handling of problematic discussions. Her insights are encapsulated in her published work, including her book, Failure to Communicate: How Conversations Go Wrong and What You Can Do to Right Them (Harvard Business Publishing, 2008).
What is Holly Weeks's background and experience?
Weeks's academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to the study and practice of communication. She holds an AB cum laude in English Language and Literature from Harvard University and a master’s diploma in literature from the University of Edinburgh. Her distinguished career includes significant roles within Harvard University's prestigious institutions. She was previously an Associate in Communications in the Harvard Business School MBA Program and served as a Distinguished Instructor teaching Management Communication and Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at the Radcliffe Institute of Harvard University. Furthermore, she contributed to foundational writing education as an instructor of Expository Writing at Harvard College.
Her diverse teaching background across multiple Harvard schools highlights her ability to adapt her communication insights to various professional and academic contexts, from MBA candidates to leaders in public policy and education. This breadth of experience underscores her comprehensive understanding of communication's pivotal role in different spheres.
What topics does Holly Weeks speak and write about?
Holly Weeks focuses on a broad spectrum of communication topics, with a particular emphasis on fostering effective dialogue and resolving communicative breakdowns. Her areas of expertise include negotiation strategies, impactful presentation skills, refined written communication, and, critically, the art of navigating sensitive and difficult conversations. She delves into the psychological and practical aspects of why communication fails and offers actionable techniques for improvement. Her discussions often revolve around themes such as active listening, understanding conversational dynamics beyond mere words, and structuring interactions to achieve desired outcomes even in the face of conflict.
Her book, Failure to Communicate, serves as a foundational text in this domain, providing readers with insights into common communication pitfalls and robust strategies for overcoming them. Her perspectives draw from her extensive academic background in literature and her practical experience in coaching and consulting, allowing her to offer a holistic and nuanced view of human interaction.
How does Holly Weeks contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Holly Weeks enriches the Best Practice Institute through her profound expertise in communication and its vital role in leadership and organizational success. Her contributions include leading educational sessions, such as the webinar "Failure to Communicate: How Conversations Go Wrong and What You Can Do to Right Them." This session, aimed at joint problem-solvers, addresses why seemingly resolvable issues often falter due to communication failures, providing actionable solutions for BPI's audience of leaders and professionals. Her work aligns with BPI's mission to provide cutting-edge insights and practical tools for professional development across various domains including Leadership Development, Learning & Development, Self Development, and Coaching. Her ability to translate complex communication theory into accessible and applicable strategies makes her a valuable resource for BPI members seeking to enhance their interpersonal and organizational effectiveness.