Unemployment rates are the lowest since the 1960s, but that doesn't mean wages will increase at a faster pace, finds a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Average hourly earnings for US workers increased 3.2% in 2018 and are expected to grow at a gradual pace.

News from companies worldwide is painting a darkening picture of the economy's outlook. About a half-dozen of the biggest corporations announced thousands of layoffs, downgraded profit forecasts or abandoned projects on Thursday alone.

Companies should prioritize training for their mid-level managers and develop that coursework to address specific skills, write James Manktelow of MindTools.com and Julian Birkinshaw of the London Business School. They also suggest using courses that let learners move at their own pace, Manktelow and Birkinshaw write.

The biggest cause of financial stress for baby boomers and Generation X is sufficient retirement savings, compared with paying the bills for millennials, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute/Greenwald & Associates Health and Workplace Benefits Survey. Most employees said benefits, including health, retirement and some voluntary benefits, contribute to their financial security.

Leaders who are willing to get their hands dirty and pitch in with all of the daily tasks necessary to keep their companies running demonstrate humility to their employees, writes Ryan Rafols, CEO of Newchip. In addition, handling frontline tasks can help leaders identify potential bottlenecks and pain points.