Multiple benchmarks suggest hiring this summer could be subdued but will stay strong in the US. Layoffs remain low, while job openings were close to a record high in April.

Teams need to be nurtured instead of optimized to foster productivity and harmony, writes Aytekin Tank, CEO of JotForm. Challenging them and providing independence are part of Tank's five-part strategy for creating effective teams.

Learning to race a sailboat is similar to improving one's job performance, writes Doug Seifert, founder and CEO of Syandus, who notes that practice, skill-building and coaching matter in both. Seifert shares how virtual technology can support these efforts, immersing learners in real-world scenarios where they can develop the skills and knowledge needed to be top performers.

Target will expand paid family leave from two to four weeks for full- and part-time employees caring for children, parents or spouses, the retailer said. To attract and retain employees in a tight labor market, Target also is adding other perks, including expanding a backup child and elderly care program to store and fulfillment center employees, and reimbursing staff for up to $10,000 in fees associated with adoptions or surrogacy agreements.

As the workforce diversifies, leaders need to direct their authority toward a team-based approach while developing skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence and intuition, write Carol Valone Mitchell and Rick Koonce. Research suggests some women already excel in such areas, and men benefit from these skills, too.