Humble leaders, characterized by self-awareness, a commitment to learning and recognition of others' contributions, enhance workplace well-being and employee confidence, writes Alaina Love, the CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting. "Best of all, when teams view leaders as authentic and approachable, they're far more likely to step forward with ideas, as well as share concerns about what might not be going well so issues can be addressed in a timely manner," Love writes.

Women of color make up about 20% of the US population but only 7% of companies' executive leaders, write Spencer Stuart consultants Erin L. Henry and Priya Ratnam, whose interviews with seven top leaders of color point out the importance of sponsorships and strong relationships, and companies focusing on identifying employees' potential early and providing opportunities and support. "Fundamentally, the key to getting a sponsor, no matter who you are, is to do good work, because if you do good work and senior leaders can see how you are driving performance for their organization, they're more inclined to put their reputations behind your name," says Wendy Short Bartie, senior vice president and general manager for Bristol Myers Squibb's US Oncology and Hematology.

Including both the unemployed and workers searching for greener pastures, 28.4% of Americans are job hunting, up nine percentage points from last year and the highest number since 2014, the New York Federal Reserve reports. Another finding: 4.4% fear they might lose their jobs soon, up half a point from a year ago.

Mental health-related leaves of absence from work surged by 22% this year, contributing to 1 in 10 leaves, as revealed by ComPsych. Chronic stress factors such as economic instability, pandemic impacts, and caregiving burdens, mostly affecting women, are driving this increase, says Dr. Jennifer Birdsall.

Several employment platforms, including LinkedIn and BetterUp, are betting that AI-powered chatbots can provide useful advice on navigating workplace situations or planning careers. However, skeptics like Joseph Fuller of Harvard Business School argue that "we're a long way from a typical human being wanting [coaching] from a machine" while admitting it would be "pretty dumb" to bet that AI won't eventually show its mastery.

Cynicism can significantly impede a professional's career progress, linked to slower salary growth and fewer leadership opportunities, writes Jamil Zaki, an author and professor of psychology at Stanford University. Creating a culture of trust and collaboration is a key strategy for overcoming cynicism and achieving long-term professional success, Zaki writes.

Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio served a five-course meal to the public, prepared by incarcerated men using produce from the prison gardens. The dinner was part of a culinary program that provides inmates with training in cooking techniques and hospitality. Chef Brandon Chrostowski, a James Beard Award semifinalist and finalist for Outstanding Restauranteur, founded the program and emphasizes the importance of offering inmates a fair chance at a future.