How leaders can effectively manage their emotions | Find the "push-and-pull" to make your writing lively | Salary increases return to pre-pandemic levels
How leaders can effectively manage their emotions Emotional regulation is crucial for effective leadership, helping maintain psychological safety and team effectiveness. Rather than suppressing emotions, this process involves identifying, labeling and responding thoughtfully to all emotions, write executive coaches Chantal Laurie Below and Jo Ilfeld. "Leaders who have practiced being less judgmental of their emotions, accepting all feelings whether positive or negative, end up experiencing less stress than their peers," they write. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (11/3)
How to get a higher starting salary Career coach Adam Broda says a common mistake in salary negotiations is asking for more money without justification. Broda advises providing specific examples, such as years of experience or past achievements, to make a case for a higher salary, which not only strengthens the candidate's case but also helps hiring managers justify the salary increase. Full Story: WNBC-TV (New York City) (11/1)
Making the Connection
Find the "push-and-pull" to make your writing lively Make your writing come to life by finding the "push-and-pull" in the narrative to reveal underlying challenges and achievements, add intriguing statistics, colorful details and meaningful quotes, writes Jim Ylisela of Ragan Consulting Group. "Focus on the story, not the package it came in. It's not about a meeting or event. It's what happened there that readers will care about," Ylisela notes. Full Story: Ragan (10/30)
The Landscape
Salary increases return to pre-pandemic levels In 2024, average salary increases fell from 4.3% to 3.9%, with more companies returning to the typical range of 3% to 3.9%, according to a Salary.com survey. This shift is attributed to fewer companies offering higher raises, as only 14% provided increases between 5% and 6.9%, compared to 25% last year, a trend expected to continue in 2025. Full Story: HR Dive (11/1)
Contribution limits for IRAs, 401(k)s set for 2025 The annual employee deferral limit for 401(k)s and other workplace plans is rising to $23,500 next year, $500 higher than in 2024, the IRS has announced. Catch-up contributions for those 50 and older will remain at $7,500, but those aged 60 to 63 will be eligible for a higher limit of $11,250. Meanwhile, the IRA contribution limit will stay at $7,000. Full Story: USA Today (11/3)
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Understanding anxiety in the workplace Clinical psychologist Michelle Drapkin provides guidance on distinguishing between typical anxiety and disorders, and offers strategies for managing anxiety in a professional setting. Drapkin suggests talking to fellow employees first to see if they are experiencing the same thing. "I think often starting with peers and connecting," Drapkin says. "We tend to think we could solve our own problems when we really need to connect with other people." Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (11/4)
Balancing Yourself
Balancing work and family after husband returns to work Kelly Burch shares how her family adjusted when her husband returned to work after five years as a stay-at-home dad. The couple focused on balancing time and money by communicating about their needs, managing schedules, saving aggressively and outsourcing tasks when necessary. Full Story: Business Insider (11/4)
Mix, a sister publication of SmartBrief at Future, interviewed Quincy Jones in 2007 about this long career in jazz, pop and film scores. And now I will go put on some of his early work with Lionel Hampton. "That group was like one of the first rock 'n' roll bands; he had girls screaming!" said Jones. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career Full Story: Mix (11/3)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
In the hotly contested, four-candidate 1824 presidential election won by Andrew Jackson, which candidate was eliminated from contention prior to the decision?
