More than 40% of corporation leaders and nearly half of those in academia say new hires do not have the soft skills needed for the job, according to a survey from Workday and Bloomberg Next. The top soft skills companies are seeking from graduates include problem-solving, adaptability and teamwork, the data show.

The teams in which people work are the foundational element of employee motivation, according to Jack Chou, who has worked for LinkedIn, Pinterest and Affirm. To be fully motivated, employees will also need to take ownership of their work, have clear goals and have an understanding of the mission.

Designing buildings to promote employee wellness is a growing trend, bolstered by new certification programs such as the Well Building Standard introduced by Delos in 2014. The company's new office in Manhattan uses sensors to keep tabs on air quality, has standing desks for employees and features a wide oak staircase to encourage people to avoid the elevator.

Wearable technology can help improve employees' physical and mental capabilities, affording them greater strength and awareness, write David Schatsky and Navya Kumar of Deloitte. Enhanced employee vision, hands-free capabilities and health monitoring in real time are all possibilities with wearables.

Abandoning the 9-to-5 workday and embracing a more flexible model could aid women's advancement, advocates say. However, companies should recognize that flexible arrangements affect everyone and not frame the discussion exclusively around women, they say.