Emotional regulation is crucial for effective leadership, helping maintain psychological safety and team effectiveness. Rather than suppressing emotions, this process involves identifying, labeling and responding thoughtfully to all emotions, write executive coaches Chantal Laurie Below and Jo Ilfeld. "Leaders who have practiced being less judgmental of their emotions, accepting all feelings whether positive or negative, end up experiencing less stress than their peers," they write.

Career coach Adam Broda says a common mistake in salary negotiations is asking for more money without justification. Broda advises providing specific examples, such as years of experience or past achievements, to make a case for a higher salary, which not only strengthens the candidate's case but also helps hiring managers justify the salary increase.

Make your writing come to life by finding the "push-and-pull" in the narrative to reveal underlying challenges and achievements, add intriguing statistics, colorful details and meaningful quotes, writes Jim Ylisela of Ragan Consulting Group. "Focus on the story, not the package it came in. It's not about a meeting or event. It's what happened there that readers will care about," Ylisela notes.

In 2024, average salary increases fell from 4.3% to 3.9%, with more companies returning to the typical range of 3% to 3.9%, according to a Salary.com survey. This shift is attributed to fewer companies offering higher raises, as only 14% provided increases between 5% and 6.9%, compared to 25% last year, a trend expected to continue in 2025.

The annual employee deferral limit for 401(k)s and other workplace plans is rising to $23,500 next year, $500 higher than in 2024, the IRS has announced. Catch-up contributions for those 50 and older will remain at $7,500, but those aged 60 to 63 will be eligible for a higher limit of $11,250. Meanwhile, the IRA contribution limit will stay at $7,000.

Clinical psychologist Michelle Drapkin provides guidance on distinguishing between typical anxiety and disorders, and offers strategies for managing anxiety in a professional setting. Drapkin suggests talking to fellow employees first to see if they are experiencing the same thing. "I think often starting with peers and connecting," Drapkin says. "We tend to think we could solve our own problems when we really need to connect with other people."

Kelly Burch shares how her family adjusted when her husband returned to work after five years as a stay-at-home dad. The couple focused on balancing time and money by communicating about their needs, managing schedules, saving aggressively and outsourcing tasks when necessary.

Mix, a sister publication of SmartBrief at Future, interviewed Quincy Jones in 2007 about this long career in jazz, pop and film scores.

And now I will go put on some of his early work with Lionel Hampton. "That group was like one of the first rock 'n' roll bands; he had girls screaming!" said Jones. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career