Hiring, growing and retaining employees by "[c]ultivating a culture of constant iteration and learning" -- such as LinkedIn's cross-training, career-exploration "tours of duty" model -- stems from a "skills-first mentality" that eschews the importance of degrees and pedigrees, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky writes. "[I]f you focus on skills and understand the skills of your existing workforce ... there's a huge opportunity to help your top talent find different roles inside of your company instead of learning and leaving," Roslansky explains. Full Story: Fortune (tiered subscription model) (3/20)
After experiencing a layoff or a prolonged job search, it's easy to become discouraged, but it's crucial to rebuild your confidence so that you can achieve your goals, writes career coach Marlo Lyons. Practicing positive affirmations, setting daily and weekly goals, creating a networking group, prioritizing self-care and volunteering can help create confidence that isn't dependent on the results of the job search, Lyons says. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (3/17)
Making the Connection
Become a better listener by being present Poor listeners think of their response while the other person is talking, form an interpretation or interrupt -- signs they are more concerned with their opinion than understanding what is being said, according to licensed clinical social worker Steph Tuazon. Better listening involves being fully present by making eye contact, for example, and asking questions or repeating the information to ensure understanding, Tuazon says. Full Story: MindBodyGreen (3/19)
The Landscape
Report: Many employers may trim benefits this year A poll of 500 US employers showed that 95% of respondents are considering retooling their employee benefit packages in 2023, and 47% are looking at reducing their offerings. While benefits as a whole are likely to decrease, some employers are prioritizing offerings like family care benefits -- and the report added that the trend will be more toward "selective trimming and funds reallocation" than drastic cutting. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (3/17)
One founder's hour-by-hour account of the SVB collapse As for many other startups, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank was a major cause for concern for Winnie, a startup backed by $15 million in funding that helps connect families with child care providers. This article offers an hour-to-hour account of how Winnie CEO Sara Mauskopf managed the situation and worked to meet payroll needs. Full Story: The New York Times (3/18)
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Stress fitness can improve the body's resiliency A technique known as "stress fitness" can help prevent chronic disease and support longevity, writes Elissa Epel, a health psychologist and longevity researcher. The technique involves short, intense bursts of stress in the form of a quick, cold shower, a sauna session or seven minutes of high-intensity interval training, which can spur the body's recovery processes and improve its resiliency, Epel writes. Full Story: CNBC (3/17)
You've probably heard about how commercial real estate executives are trying to reinvent the industry to keep pace with post-pandemic office trends. The owners of One Wall Street, which was originally opened in 1931, decided to reinvent their building. The results are stunning. It's almost hard to believe an outside that looks so old on the outside could look so new on the inside. Full Story: Dezeen (3/19)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
POLL QUESTION: Pro golfer Babe Didrikson also played baseball, pitching in an exhibition game March 20, 1934. What team was she on? Check answer here.
