Disagreeing Productively and Collaborating Well turns disagreement from a source of conflict into a catalyst for better decisions and creative success. Led by Harvard professor Julia Minson in conversation with Grammy-winning producer and musician Jack Antonoff, the course draws on research into the psychology of why people disagree and gives you practical tools, including the H.E.A.R. technique, to signal receptiveness, build trust and align a team behind shared goals.
This is an official Harvard Online course, featuring faculty from Harvard Kennedy School and delivered on Harvard Online's learning platform. IPMC International handles your registration, payment and local support, then enrols you on the course. The format is self-guided and available on demand, and the microcredential and Certificate of Completion are issued by Harvard Online.
The course develops three connected capabilities:
The course is taught through short video segments and reflective exercises across five parts. There are no prerequisites. To earn the Certificate of Completion, participants work through all the material thoughtfully.
Distinguish agreement, disagreement and conflict by weighing informational skew, importance and interdependence, and see how negative assumptions and the belief that our own view is perfectly objective lead to unnecessary conflict.
Treat receptiveness as a strategic tool for influence and better decisions, not "giving in", and use a personal "receptiveness score" to identify your strengths and areas for growth.
Shift the goal of a conversation from winning the argument to genuinely understanding the other person, using a specific cycle of questioning and listening that encourages open information sharing.
Learn the H.E.A.R. framework (Hedge your claims, Emphasise agreement, Acknowledge other perspectives and Reframe to the positive) and use personal narratives alongside data to make your ideas compelling.
Identify "poisonous moments" and resolve impasses and negative spirals, and recognise that any team member can build a more receptive culture by modelling positive behaviour and normalising disagreement.
Julia Minson: Your instructor. A social psychologist and Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, known for her research on disagreement, negotiation and decision-making, where she leads the Minson Conflict and Collaboration Lab.
The course also features insights from industry expert Jack Antonoff (Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, and frontman of Bleachers), whose work as a collaborator brings the ideas to life. Affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.
This is an introductory course focused on foundational career skills, so no prior knowledge is required. It suits professionals at any level who want to handle disagreement and collaboration more effectively, as well as graduates and organisations who want a globally recognised Harvard Online credential to advance their careers or capabilities.
The course includes a microcredential that recognises your successful completion of the material. By finishing any five of the seven Power Skills for Career Growth courses you can earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Online, which you can add to your CV and LinkedIn.
The course fee is confirmed on enquiry and put in writing before payment.
Pay IPMC securely by debit/credit card in UAE Dirhams (UAE) or by UPI, card or net banking in Indian Rupees (India).
Yes. The course is delivered by Harvard Online and the microcredential and Certificate of Completion are issued by Harvard Online.
No. This is an introductory course that builds foundational skills for your career, and no prerequisite knowledge is required.
The course is offered on demand and you have 90 days from enrolment to complete the material.
This is a self-paced Harvard Online course, so you can start anytime and learn at your own pace. Enquire and we'll get you enrolled.
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