Dealing with unproductive coworkers requires empathy and collaboration, say experts such as Judith White of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Lynn Taylor, author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant." They recommend addressing issues gently at first, considering potential misunderstandings or personal challenges. Mike Marcoux of Boston Engineering suggests setting interim milestones to motivate productivity.

Parenting and leadership share core skills, including emotional regulation, clear communication and boundary-setting, writes Jessica Wilen, an executive coach and founder of A Cup of Ambition. Wilen shares six lessons from parenting that translate to leadership, including the importance of maintaining your composure, being clear about what needs to happen and why and the ability to admit mistakes and repair any damage.

To write a compelling job description, focus on the five skills that truly matter for the role, rather than including an exhaustive list of requirements. Companies are also encouraged to reconsider what skills are actually needed for future success, rather than simply replacing the previous employee's role as it was.

LinkedIn has introduced an AI-powered conversational search feature that allows users to find members, pages and posts using natural language queries. The tool, currently available to US Premium subscribers, aims to simplify searches and provide more relevant results, similar to a feature for job seekers introduced in May.

Employers should brace for increased workplace tension through 2026, driven by trends such as "forever layoffs," a disconnect between staff and management, and a gradual return to the office, according to Glassdoor. The "Worklife Trends 2026" report notes that small, recurring layoffs have risen to 51% of all staff reductions, contributing to employee anxiety and disengagement.

US companies issued 39,006 advance layoff notices in October, one of the highest monthly totals since 2006, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The data show a worsening labor market, with job losses rising alongside reduced hiring. The Federal Reserve is considering the extent of this slowdown as it debates future interest rate cuts.

From sister publication Kiplinger: Business consultants Geoff Tuff and Steven Goldbach, authors of "Hone: How Purposeful Leaders Defy Drift," emphasize the importance of staying true to a business's core purpose to avoid "drift," or deviation from the intended path. They advise business owners to make continuous, purposeful adjustments, or "honing," to maintain focus, and to be wary of external pressure to grow rapidly, as it can compromise consistency and lead to failure.

A "wind phone" has been installed at Life Forest, a cemetery for cremated remains in Hillsborough, N.H., providing a space for people to process grief. The concept originated in Japan in 2010, when Itaru Sasaki installed a disconnected phone booth to speak with his late cousin, and the idea spread after a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.