When you're asked to do something that's not realistically possible, makes you uncomfortable or is without notice, respond by asking questions about the goal, be clear how long the work will take or offer alternative solutions, writes Rebecca Zucker, a founding partner at Next Step Partners. "If part of what makes the request unreasonable is something that can be modified to make the request more palatable next time, let the other person know," Zucker writes.

Leaders should be talking regularly with employees about their career aspirations and working with HR to provide training or other growth opportunities, writes Kristin Brookins Costello, chief HR officer at the Ken Blanchard Cos. "While they may end up losing someone in the end, they know they are gaining the loyalty of the person they are helping," Costello writes.

Virtual parties for departing coworkers can be tough to plan and wrangle -- and make interesting and engaging. Some ways to throw good online parties for colleagues who are on their way out include quizzes about them, inviting former coworkers to make it a de facto reunion, and a lightning round of congratulatory speeches.

Leaders can help their teams restore connections across the organization by inviting guests to meetings. creating a buddy system or finding projects to collaborate on, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. "Employees take their cues from leadership, so make sure those cues point to silo-busting behaviors that will inspire other to act accordingly," Giulioni writes.

For the first time since 2011, mortgage rates in the US reached 5%. The increase is likely to make it even more difficult for homebuyers to purchase a house in an already-tight market. Higher rates may also force potential buyers to delay their searches, as well as cool off the market a little.

The classic children's tale written by Margery Williams Bianco continues to teach valuable lessons about authenticity and being true to yourself 100 years after it was written. The book has been adapted for film and stage and has never been out of print since being published, and excerpts from it have even been read at weddings.

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