A record 8.1 million job openings were vacant in March, up 600,000 from February, with around 1.4 workers available per job -- half the average over the past two decades, according to a report from the Chamber of Commerce. A "lack of available workers" is cited by 90% of state and local chambers of commerce as preventing economic growth, while Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Suzanne Clark stated, "The worker shortage is real -- and it's getting worse by the day."

Companies must understand what motivates employees to recruit and retain the best talent. Today's employees want certain allowances from employers, including flexible work policies and evaluations based on the value employees deliver, rather than on the volume of output, research suggests.

A Willis Towers Watson survey shows that the pandemic has spurred large employers to pay more attention to voluntary, employee-paid benefits such as hospital indemnity and critical illness plans that could help protect against unexpected expenses. Ninety-three percent of employers surveyed also said they planned to offer their staff members financial counseling benefits through an existing provider in the next two years.

A total of 16,387 students in Idaho have enrolled in career and technical education programs in the past four years -- growing enrollment to 99,079 students. Justin Touchstone of the Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education says the spike is probably related to increased demand for skilled workers, including in cybersecurity.

Emotional intelligence requires self-examination, such as being aware of how your behavior affects people, showing appreciation, rooting out biases and asking for guidance, writes John R. Stoker, who provides 10 questions for self-assessment. "Noticing patterns of behavior and results is one key to making important changes," Stoker writes.

Depression has dogged my son since high school. The night he confessed to me that he had been cutting, and I saw the marks on his legs and arm was one of the most terrifying moments I’ve had as a mother.

Because I never saw it coming. He’s a cheerful, witty, friendly, smart young man. Lots of friends. A strong faith. Excellent student and now competent IT professional. A loving husband and father.

But the struggle is real. The good news, though, is that he's winning the battle. He’s put tactics in place -- Bible study, a counselor, exercise -- to help him guard his mental health. And he’s transparent about the issue. This has been one of the most important strategies for him. Opening up not only keeps him accountable, it helps eliminate the shame for himself and others.

So I give kudos to Naomi Osaka for taking a stand to protect her mental health, as we see in today’s Leadership & Development story. Her honesty helps nurture better, more productive conversations about this issue -- and hopefully solutions that enable others to win their own battles.

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