Average-performing employees contribute to team stability and organizational success through reliability, consistency and effective collaboration. Addressing misconceptions about these workers and supporting their development can enhance their value.

Eli Joseph has developed a platform that uses virtual, augmented and mixed reality to create immersive career portfolios to allow job applicants to present themselves more thoroughly than traditional resumes and interviews. "Immersive storytelling allows people in neglected industries to reclaim their career narratives," said Joseph. "It allows marginalized voices to speak directly for themselves and showcase their identity without traditional gatekeeping."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 5.7 million workers aged 55 and older lost their jobs between March and April 2020, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Flexible work options, including remote and hybrid work, have become more common since the pandemic, providing older workers with opportunities to extend their careers.

Playing to your strengths at work could mean transitioning to a new role or rediscovering why you chose your profession in the first place, writes Allison Dunn, the founder of Deliberate Directions. "You could be a smart, capable person, but if your job does not match your natural strengths, you will feel like you are swimming against the current every single day," Dunn writes.

A report from AND Digital found that 88% of women in the US tech industry report high satisfaction levels, with the industry's forward-thinking nature and emphasis on diversity and inclusion contributing. "We use a lot of async and virtual tools so everyone can work in ways that fit their lives," said Linda Benjamin of AND Digital.

U.S. job openings dropped to 7.19 million in March, the lowest in six months and below market forecasts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the decline in vacancies, layoffs also decreased and hiring remained steady, indicating ongoing resilience in the labor market even as economic uncertainty persists due to trade policies.

Quiet confidence can speak volumes for leaders, writes David DeSouza, the president of Monterey Bay Herb, who offers tips for quiet leaders to begin meetings with intentional framing and schedule decision windows for additional clarity. "If your presence signals clarity and control, your team is more likely to stay solution-oriented, open and engaged," DeSouza writes.

SmartBrief parent company Future recently recognized its Editorial Excellence winners. Here's one you might like, which is a collaboration between Rugby World and Marie Claire UK.

She's the global phenomenon, Olympic medallist and Dancing with the Stars runner-up who's captured hearts across social media. Here, Ilona Maher talks burnout, becoming the face of women's rugby and learning to love yourself.