US payrolls added 223K jobs last month, Labor Dept. says | Don't withhold training over fear that employees will leave | The new skills leaders need to manage hybrid working
The US gained 223,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate declined to 3.5% from a revised 3.6% in November, the Labor Department reported. The labor market is still exhibiting strength, having added 4.5 million jobs for all of 2022, although December's numbers were down from November's revised total of 256,000 jobs added.
Why are a third of your workers looking for a new job? The iCIMS 2023 Workforce Report takes the pulse of today's workers and forecasts how to establish a new foundation for the future of work. Get Report.
Leaders often feel torn on training employees in additional skills, fearing they might invest time and money on team members who then leave the company, writes Diane Youden of PwC, who notes that neglecting training leads to an even worse fate: a poorly skilled workforce. "By investing in your employees, you create a powerful, collaborative workforce that shares your goals, values and drive for excellence, and one that is in turn invested in the well-being of your company," Youden writes.
Having full personal and professional lives is the ultimate goal for many, but sometimes both can unravel when just a tiny piece of the puzzle goes awry. In this column, Rachel Feintzeig talks with workers about the uncomfortable moments when personal and professional lives collided and how they coped.
The pandemic has driven a shift to remote and hybrid work that continues for many employees, and this change can create important state-level tax implications, write Sharon Klein and Jenna Cohn of Wilmington Trust. They discuss the convenience-of-employer rule that is in effect in certain jurisdictions and review guidance that several states issued for 2022.
Dykes (center) with college football players. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Texas Christian University's Horned Frogs has become the first Texas college team to make the College Football Playoffs, and they got there, writes Michael Lee Stallard, because of the organization's commitment to a culture of connection that created strong relationships between coaches and players. "Coach [Sonny] Dykes emphasizes the importance of frequent, in-person, private, one-on-one conversations among coaches and teammates that foster a shared understanding, accountability, and a calm emotional environment where people are even-keeled, not too emotionally high and not too emotionally low," Stallard writes.
I watched last week’s Warriors-Hawks game with my friend, Ray. The Warriors bench exploded in cheers when Donte DiVincenzo hit the three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game and send it into overtime. And then Ray said something interesting.
“Look at Steph,” he said. “Love that dude. He’s so unselfish. That’s leadership.”
I was puzzled. What did I miss? Ray rewound the play. “Watch the play and watch Steph,” he said.
With about six seconds left on the clock, the Warriors' Jordan Poole gets a rebound and shoots. His shot is blocked, but DiVincenzo gets the loose ball and shoots. Swish! Stephen Curry -- in street clothes owing to a shoulder injury -- leaps off Golden State’s bench to congratulate DiVincenzo. His smile is wide and his face shining with excitement for his young teammate.
That’s a real leader, Ray said. “He’s legit happy for DiVincenzo,” he explained. “Steph doesn’t need the spotlight only on him. He wants his teammates to be successful. He’s unselfish.”
I thought of Ray’s words when I read today’s HR Leader story about the culture of Texas Christian University’s football team. TCU will be playing Georgia tonight for the national title. The Horned Frogs came into the 2022 season as underdogs in the Big 12 conference. Michael Lee Stallard attributes TCU’s come-from-behind success to the university’s leadership and culture of connection.
“Leaders who are able to consistently bring out the best in others through tapping into the power of connection have this in common: they communicate an inspiring vision that unites the group, they value people as individuals rather than thinking of and treating them as mere means to an end,” he writes.
I want that kind of team culture -- one marked by unselfishness, connection and support. One that brings out the best in each team member and wants everyone to be successful.
Because teams like that win championships.
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