A growth mindset is an important trait to embody in one's personal life and career, but requires the will to continuously improve and remember that "What got me here won't get me there," writes James Fishler, CEO of home entertainment for Samsung Electronics America. Three growth-manifesting strategies include embracing failure to learn and innovate, challenging the status quo to avoid complacency and following through on new ideas to demonstrate commitment.

Remote work trends in the US and UK show significant differences, with the US embracing flexibility and innovation, driven by tech industry dominance and employee-centric policies. In contrast, the UK has a more measured approach -- influenced by traditional office culture and commuting challenges. The US sees remote work as a talent magnet, while the UK focuses on work-life balance.

The push to return to the office has gained momentum recently, with several major companies announcing full-time in-person work and President Donald Trump signing an executive order covering federal employees. One factor in the trend is that dynamics in the labor market have shifted and employers now have more leverage than they did during the Great Resignation.

A recent survey by Hult International Business School reveals nearly 90% of companies avoid hiring recent graduates due to a lack of job readiness, opting instead for freelancers, retirees and even robots. The study found recent graduates learn more in their first half-year on the job than during college -- highlighting a disconnect between academic preparation and workplace needs.

Some business leaders are favoring MEI -- merit, excellence and intelligence -- over DEI. Camille Dundas of The IDEA Practice argues that MEI overlooks workplace discrimination and biases, which DEI aims to address, and that MEI can imply that people from diverse backgrounds lack merit, potentially limiting opportunities for marginalized groups.

Despite the benefits of hiring older workers, such as communication skills and a strong work ethic, many companies remain hesitant due to misconceptions about adaptability and longevity. The AgeFriendly Institute's Certified Age Friendly Employer program identifies organizations committed to providing the best work environments for employees aged 50 and over.

A pickup basketball game, affectionately called the "Geezer Game," has managed to persist for nearly five decades because it focuses on the hoops and avoids divisive topics like politics. Beginning in 1975, the game has adapted through demographic changes and has successfully maintained engagement by rotating players and managing disputes efficiently -- like via jump balls! In a society that suffers from diminished off-court socializing amid ongoing political tensions, the game continues to flourish on the court.

Here at SmartBrief, our offices closed during the pandemic and everyone scattered across the country to work remotely (although the editorial staff has always been remote). But parent company Future is based in the UK and is still very much office-based. It is interesting to see the two sides to working from home, and I have to admit being jealous of their holiday parties that I see from afar. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career