Successful career transitions require careful planning and mindfulness, writes executive coach Britta Bibel-Cavallaro, who highlights six mistakes executives make, including ignoring personal barriers, not having a defined purpose and using outdated communication methods. By addressing these issues through self-reflection, clear prioritization, authentic communication and unwavering commitment, executives can achieve a fulfilling career transformation, Bibel-Cavallaro notes.

Business leaders are increasingly finding traditional change management models inadequate in a world of constant transformation, writes Sherzod Odilov, a partner at consulting firm Korn Ferry. "The future belongs to organizations that can adapt quickly, empower their teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement," Odilov writes.

Some hiring experts say that asking about AI in job interviews can significantly influence a candidate's chances. Marisa Pereira of Storyblok and Marissa Morrison of ZipRecruiter say it shows forward-thinking and trend awareness and can provide candidates with a comprehensive view of an organization's technological stance.

In a rapidly changing business environment, hiring adaptable talent is crucial for long-term success, writes entrepreneur and author David Finkel, who suggests companies should revamp job descriptions, invest in continuous learning and encourage internal mobility to attract such talent. "These individuals are not confined by a single expertise but instead bring a willingness to learn, handle uncertainty and pivot as needed," writes Finkel. "They thrive on challenges, seamlessly taking on various organizational roles and responsibilities."

When punitive measures were not working to correct staff misbehavior at her restaurant, Homeroom chef and entrepreneur Erin Wade writes that she turned to restorative justice, which required accountability from staff to make amends for broken rules. "This approach helped build a sense of cohesion and pride among staff and also paved the way for us to let go of high-performing jerks who were not interested in this level of personal accountability," Wade writes.

Mature students pursuing creative arts degrees such as music or theater face unique challenges, including balancing education with responsibilities and transitioning from noncreative careers. Emma Lennox, a careers consultant at Queen's University Belfast, suggests universities offer staggered work experience, digital upskilling, online options and help crafting new resumes to better support these students.

An international Slack Workforce Lab survey found 30% of professional employees use AI and are open about it, but 20% of users hesitate to tell co-workers because the workplace discourages the technology or they're worried about being replaced by it. "Help them understand how AI can be valuable to their work and encourage them to experiment with it," says Christina Janzer, senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack, which also found some employees either avoid using AI or don't trust it, while others are waiting to see how the technology develops in the workplace.

There aren't too many surprises on these lists of the universities that boast the most undergraduate and graduate-school students who went on to launch startups. On the undergrad side, it's interesting to see the top 10 split evenly between public and private schools, such as Berkeley and Stanford.