Despite the expected interest-rate cuts next year, headwinds for the office sector remain, including refinancing challenges, continued hybrid work policies and CoStar Group's forecast for climbing office vacancies. There are also certain positive trends, including strong demand for the highest-quality buildings and a limited pipeline of new construction.

Billionaire Elon Musk has joined the assault on DEI policies with his latest post, "DEI must DIE," because it just perpetuates discrimination. Janice Gassam Asare, founder of DEI consultancy, BWG Business Solutions, writes that rhetoric to the contrary shows that numerous companies are making significant progress in hiring and promoting people of underserved populations and that while DEI policies are not above criticism, systems must be found to support "everyone's unique needs."

Ally, Bank of America, Allstate, Chobani and Aon are among the employers that have expanded their employee benefits in the past year. Company stock purchasing, sabbatical benefits, returnship initiatives, enhanced child care resources, and corporate apprenticeships are some of the programs being offered.

More than 50 community college programs have begun across the country to meet the workforce demands of the CHIPS and Science Act. "As these big investments come, we need the people," SEMI Foundation's Shari Liss said, adding, "There's a huge concern right now around, how do we sell this industry to students?"

Employees no longer want office holiday parties during off-hours, and some would rather alcohol was not served, some party planners say. Some companies such as accounting firm GrowthForce are switching from an off-site evening holiday party to an afternoon office affair, a move that also helps reduce business expenses.

Aloha dear readers! As I mentioned in Monday's column, I will spend this week looking at lessons I have gleaned over the last 12 months. Today, I want to talk about teamwork and support.

 

Maui and Uncle Dan-boy were ahead of me. I pushed my way through the tide, stepping gingerly over the jagged rocks and ignoring the waves that had soaked me to the waist. Maui looked over his shoulder and stretched his arm to me.

 

“Come,” he commanded gently, putting his hand under my elbow to steady me. He was holding the urn with Dad’s ashes. We both turned to find our sister Kawehi. She was standing in the shallows next to Mom, sobbing, her face etched with pain.  Behind them, on the shore, family and friends held hands and sang. My children stood apart from the crowd, quietly watching. I could tell Kiaha was praying. 

 

Maui and I continued wading out, following Uncle Dan-boy as he cut a path through the water. When he stopped, he turned to us and nodded. Tears fell down my brother’s face as he tipped the urn toward the waves. 

 

“Love you Big Man,” he said gruffly, his voice breaking. “A hui hou.” He pulled me to him and handed me the urn.

 

“I love you, Dad,” I said, watching the ashes dissolve into the water. “You are my hero. Thank you for living your faith. We got Mom. A hui hou.” I held onto my brother as we pushed our way back to Mom and Kawehi. Mom wrapped her arms around us and we all stood together, letting tears of love soothe our grief.

 

“Thank you,” she said, stepping back to look at us. “Thank you for helping to pull all of this together. It was a lot and I know it wasn’t easy. But you honored your father and my husband. Thank you. I’m so proud of you.” 

 

I smiled at her words. It had been a tough few weeks as we planned the details of the memorial service. Researching venues. Allocating costs. Guest lists. Invitations. Meetings. Debating food. Ordering food. Getting lei for the family. Planning set up and tear down. Borrowing EZ-ups. Reserving chairs.

 

It had been a lot, especially when we were all dealing with grief. Stress mounted, causing friction. As we got closer to the date, I worried that our time together would be tense and awkward.

 

I worried for nothing. Everything went smoothly. Frustrations were forgotten as we all put our focus on Dad. We laughed and traded stories as we took care of what had to be done for the service. And when the day arrived, we celebrated Dad’s life with light hearts and a spirit of love.

 

Effective teams -- work, family and others -- are defined by their members’ ability to work together successfully for a common goal. They put ego aside and get to work. They listen and communicate. They muscle through conflict. They exercise grace and respect. They always keep their mission front and center.

 

How will you keep your teams cohesive and successful in 2024? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.