The number of US employees quitting their jobs voluntarily hit a record 4.5 million in November, with discharges and layoffs pushing total departures to 6.3 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, 6.7 million workers were hired in November.

Companies including Salesforce are using colored plastic bracelets in the office and at gatherings to signal how comfortable a colleague is about about social distancing or greeting. A green bracelet means willing to hug; yellow means elbow/fist bump; and red means a wave hello.

Many baby boomers have left the workforce on a long-term basis during the pandemic, yet the number of people in that age group claiming Social Security benefits stayed unchanged between April 2019 and June 2021, according to a study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Researchers say people in this group could intend to restart work once the virus threat recedes or could be living off federal relief payments or extended unemployment insurance.

Amazon is investing $3 million in Washington state's community and technical colleges to develop a workforce for the e-commerce giant and other employers. The money will be divided among three entities to develop computer science and STEM programs and recruit and assist students pursuing degrees.

Getting started on 2022 goals can include reflecting on 2021, combining big goals and small steps and finding someone to hold you accountable, writes executive coach Elisabeth Hayes. "Your accountability partner should be someone you trust, respect and whom you don't want to disappoint," Hayes writes.

My granddaughter, Kalei, wanted a shopping spree for Christmas. Perfect. I made arrangements with my daughter-in-law and then asked Kalei where she wanted to go. Her answer made me do a double take.

“Gucci,” she said firmly -- and quickly. Clearly, she had been thinking about this.

I stared at her. “Gucci?”

“Yes.”

“You’re eight.”

“I know.”

“You’re in the third grade.”

“I know.”

I cocked my head to the side. “OK. I’ll bite. Why Gucci?”

She explained that she had been online and saw a Gucci backpack. “I need that backpack, Addie,” she insisted, waving her money at me.

I raised my eyebrow at her. “No, you need a job,” I answered. “That little wad of 20s only gonna get you a Gucci keychain, baby.” She scowled and I relented, chuckling. I promised her that we would visit the store and see what she could get with her money.

Acquiring a Gucci backpack may not seem very “goal-worthy,” but I like where Kalei's head is. She thinks big, an important quality for attaining goals as we see in today’s HR Leader story. And when she thinks big, she gets excited and becomes a bulldog for getting what she wants.

How are you feeding the bulldog mentalities in your organization? What do you do to encourage team members to think big? Tell me! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.