Public discourse is broken. BCG’s Julia Dhar shares three techniques to reshape how we talk with—and disagree with—each other.

Julia Dhar joined Boston Consulting Group in 2009. She is the cofounder and leader of BeSmart, BCG's behavioral economics and insights initiative. In this role, she brings her passion and experience designing complex system transformation through nuanced behavioral change to clients in the public and private sectors.

Julia has advised and implemented transformational strategy initiatives across a range of social impact and public sector organizations, including economic development and planning, finance, labor, education, and social welfare. She works with private sector clients to integrate choice architecture and customer insights to improve the productivity, performance, and customer experience of organizations in sectors including airlines and travel and tourism, energy, IT, and telecommunications.

Before joining the firm, Julia worked as private secretary to the deputy prime minister and minister of finance in New Zealand. She also led a major study to increase private capital for public services as a member of the UK cabinet office's social investment and finance team.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MPP, Harvard Kennedy School
  • BA, Economic and Social Sciences, University of Sydney

Publications and Videos

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Nudging Consumers Toward Sustainability

Companies that empower consumers and create a societal surplus can reward shareholders, build sustainability markets, and protect the planet. It’s a win-win-win.
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Will Net Zero Get Us to Net-Zero Emissions?

Despite its merits, net zero isn’t a perfect mechanism for addressing climate change. Here are 15 of its limitations—and our recommendations for fixing them.
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What Works—and What Doesn’t—in Transformation

Change is harder to implement than ever, but a new analysis highlights why some companies still manage to outperform the competition.
How the Best Set Up Their Program Journey

How the Best Set Up Their Program Journey

Only a third of corporate transformations succeed, but two early decisions can help you buck the odds. A new BCG series, “Transformation Revisited,” shows how.

May 2021 Town Hall

How to Have Constructive Conversations

Constructive conversations should sharpen your argument and strengthen relationships. Grounded in curiosity and purpose, BCG Partner Julia Dhar shares three essential features of productive disagreements.

Celebrating Our 10th TED@BCG Event

BCG's partnership with TED is built on the belief that ideas are worth sharing and can have a real-world impact. With 138 TED Talks viewed over 143 million times online, we are excited to look back at the powerful ideas presented by BCG experts, and beyond.

The Soft Side of Operational Transformation

Half the battle in transformations is overcoming mental roadblocks to change in the organization. Here’s what leaders can learn from behavioral science to improve the odds of success.

How to Disagree Productively and Find Common Ground

Public discourse is broken. BCG’s Julia Dhar shares three techniques to reshape how we talk with—and disagree with—each other.

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Meetings and Email Are Here to Stay, So Make the Most of Them

High-performing companies make the most of these office mainstays by setting guidelines that help keep things as simple as possible.
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How to 'Brain Hack' Your Way to Being More Decisive

Decision-making can be daunting, but there are specific, tactical and effective methods to force yourself to commit to a course of action. Two behavioural economists chart the most useful techniques.
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Five Ways to Nudge Your Brainstorms to Greatness

Truly great brainstorming is rare. Increase your odds with these five hacks from behavioral economics.
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