Sheila Heen

Sheila Heen is a leading expert in negotiation and conflict resolution. She serves as the Thaddeus R. Beal Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School and as deputy director of the Harvard Negotiation Project, where she has contributed to the development of negotiation theory and practice. Heen specializes in complex negotiations involving high emotions and strained relationships. She is also co-founder of Triad Consulting Group, a consultancy focused on helping executives and teams manage high-stakes and challenging conversations.

Heen is the co-author of two New York Times bestsellers: "Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most" (with Douglas Stone and Bruce Patton) and "Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well (Even When It's Off-Base, Unfair, Poorly Delivered, and Frankly, You're Not in the Mood)" (with Douglas Stone). These works are widely referenced in the fields of communication, leadership, and organizational behavior. At Harvard, Heen teaches the Negotiation Workshop and participates in the executive education program at the Program on Negotiation, where she also collaborates on course design, including modules for PON Global and the PON Master Class.

Heen is a founder of Triad Consulting Group, a corporate education and consulting firm serving clients on six continents. The firm's client roster includes Pixar, Hugo Boss, the NBA, the Federal Reserve Bank, Ford, Novartis, Converse, and American Express. She works with executive teams to address conflict, repair working relationships, and support effective decision-making. In the public sector, Heen has provided training for organizations such as the New England Organ Bank, the Singapore Supreme Court, the Obama White House, and groups of theologians addressing disagreements over the nature of truth and God.

Her articles have appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Harvard Negotiation Journal, and Real Simple. Heen is a frequent media guest, with appearances on shows including Oprah, NPR, Fox News, and CNBC's Power Lunch. She has spoken at Apple, Google, Microsoft, and the Global Leadership Summit. Heen is recognized for her ability to translate complex interpersonal dynamics into clear, actionable frameworks for audiences across industries and sectors.