If your boss asks if you're busy, it often means they want to interrupt what you're doing, so it's best to ask them what's up, writes Alison Green. If your boss asks for a "brief" response, make sure to be concise as time is clearly a big factor.

If you need to focus quickly, the best way to do so is by slowing down your breathing and visualizing the result you're working toward, according to successful entrepreneurs. Following a certain ritual before a performance, even if it's a presentation in a boardroom, can also be helpful.

With the right approach, the office holiday party can be a prime opportunity for networking. This article offers seven tips on how to make connections at this annual event.

American Express will offer its US full-time and part-time employees 20 weeks of paid parental leave starting next year. That's a significant increase from its past policy of offering six weeks to primary caregivers and two weeks to secondary caregivers.

The quest for a great interview performance begins when you schedule your meeting, as you should try to steer away from Mondays, Fridays or the end of the workday, writes Eric McWhinnie. Make sure you succeed on the small-talk portion of the interview, which can humanize you and set the stage for a successful interview.

Preserving your work-life balance during the holidays means you might have to prioritize spending time by yourself and monitoring your finances, writes Rachel Ritlop. Prepare for setbacks in your work scheduling so you have extra time available as deadlines approach.

Doodling during a business meeting, when used properly, is a form of visual communication that tends to resonate highly with people and engage them, argues Dan Roam. "If we spent our lives tapping on a keyboard, we're bypassing one of the most powerful mechanisms that our brain has to retrieve and capture information," he says.