Strong leaders understand how to motivate people without resorting to manipulation, writes Allen Gannett, CEO of TrackMaven. When trying to influence someone, ask yourself if the outcome toward which you're leading them is in their best interest.

Research suggests a consistent lack of sleep over the course of a week can cause people to temporarily lose 15 IQ points, writes C.L. Max Nikias, the president of the University of Southern California. "Identifying your most productive time of day and protecting your sleep puts your best, smartest, most resilient self in your office chair each morning," Nikias writes.

Interruptions at work have been linked to increased errors, loss of productivity and engagement, and health problems, which cost the US an estimated $588 billion annually, writes Petra Neiger, founder of leadership company Red Pantz. Neiger offers five tips to cope with interruptions, including scheduling focus time, setting boundaries on chat platforms, and collecting thoughts and making notes before responding to interruptions.

A growing number of employers is offering benefits to adoptive parents, including time off, lump-sum payments and reimbursement for fees, writes Sean Leslie, senior content strategist at PayScale.com. A company that supports adoption improves employee satisfaction and shows it cares about its workers and their families.

If you make errors such as lacking strong knowledge of a company's industry or failing to ask good questions during an interview, try to recover by bringing up recent relevant news or posing follow-up queries. Thoughtful questions can help you appear inquisitive, knowledgeable and willing to learn new skills, writes Sarah Greesonbach.

A sheriff's deputy surprised three bears scrounging for food outside of a Tahoe City, Calif., Taco Bell restaurant last week. The officer, who captured the encounter on camera, asked the bears what they were doing and they scurried off without incident.