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Showing posts from March, 2025

What Is Sustainability?

Sustainability, which the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined in 1987 , is “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Almost 40 years later, this is still the most frequently cited definition of the term, and the world is still working to meet those needs. Charisma Acey, Ph.D., associate professor of city and regional planning and Arcus chair in social justice and the built environment at the University of California, Berkeley, says that “meeting the needs of the present” is the part of the U.N. definition that she emphasizes in her classes. “What are we sustaining if we’re not taking care of present generations as well? “To me, it’s really about recognizing that our human health , environmental health, the health of our systems that sustain us socially, economically—they’re all intertwined,” she adds. “It’s about recognizing our connection to these larger systems that support us.” Caring for future gen...

The Reverse Mentor Effect: Learning From the Next Generation at Work

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For decades, the rule was simple: experience trickles down. Senior professionals guided junior employees, passing down their knowledge like a well-worn playbook. But in today’s workplace—where technology moves at breakneck speed and cultural shifts redefine the rules overnight—that playbook is outdated. Enter reverse mentorship , where the learning flows both ways. Senior professionals are turning to younger colleagues for insights into everything from emerging tech to evolving workplace norms. It’s not a gimmick or a passing trend—it’s a survival strategy in an era where staying relevant means staying open to change.  Learning to adapt Often, reverse mentorship happens naturally. Take Niki J. Yarnot, a licensed social worker and career coach with Wanderlust Careers , who found herself in a company where even the CEO was younger. Instead of resisting, she leaned in. “With the speed of change in technology… it takes a team effort to stay up to date,” she says. Whether it was navi...

Why Is It Important to Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance?

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According to Randstad’s latest international report, Workmonitor 2025 , work-life balance is deemed more important than pay (83% vs. 82%) for the first time in its 22-year history. To learn more about the importance of work-life balance and why so many are embracing this shift, we’ve examined its many benefits, including improved mental health and more fulfilling relationships, as well as the risks of neglecting it.  Read on for tips on achieving this sometimes elusive balance , knowing when it is off-kilter and getting back on track.  What Is A Healthy Work-Life Balance?  According to the Mental Health Foundation, signs of a good work-life balance include meeting work deadlines while still having time for friends and hobbies, being able to take care of your physical well-being and not ruminating on work once out of the office.  “A healthy work-life balance isn’t about rigidly splitting time between work and personal life—it’s about creating harmony between the...

My Way: Expert Principal Strategist Allie Fendrick on Effecting Organizational Change

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This expert principal strategist is transforming the core of businesses—from culture to people—by introducing efficient and refined organizational change, communications and digital strategies. As a member of The Hush Collaborative , Fendrick lives as a freelance digital nomad and has collaborated with companies worldwide, such as Walmart, Target, Google, L’Oréal and Molson Coors. Her on-the-go lifestyle has deepened her understanding of diversity and inclusion and has improved her capacity to elevate and provide leaders with dynamic, people-centric solutions. She shares with us segments of her creativity and innovative approaches. I always start my day with… quietness. With all the noise in the world, I like to start my day with a little quiet time to reflect. It helps me feel grounded, at peace and ready to take on the day. My mantra is… “Wherever you go, there you are.” We often believe that changing our surroundings will make our problems disappear, but, in truth, the power to...

Cutting Ties Without Breaking Bonds: How Managers Can Conduct Layoffs and Still Keep Company Culture Thriving

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Layoffs can be destabilizing to company culture . Leaders have to make painful decisions about which staff to let go in order to keep the company competitive (or even afloat) during change. But if cuts are implemented incorrectly, they can cripple trust between management and employees, with staff wondering if they’re next or whether the company they work so hard for even cares about their well-being. A recent study by ResumeTemplates.com of 1,000 U.S.-based managers found that 45% of companies are likely to lay off employees in 2025. These businesses cited economic difficulties, industry-specific challenges and AI/automation developments as major drivers behind their decision. The Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum found that 41% of employers see layoffs in the future due to “skills obsolescence,” as well. Though layoffs appear to be coming for many companies, they don’t need to be an event that puts a business’ ethos in jeopardy. To avoid destabilizing—and demo...

Tread Lightly: How To Travel With Sustainability in Mind

Many people know that traveling can harm the environment and want to make their trips more sustainable. However, well-intentioned travelers often aren’t sure how to go about planning a sustainable trip. Tourism accounts for roughly 8% of carbon emissions worldwide and travelers from high-income countries, like the United States, have the biggest environmental impact. Tourism can also hurt the people who live in heavily touristed areas. While tourism has some benefits, it can lead to changes in the lifestyle, traditions and economies of local communities in harmful ways. It’s not easy to figure out how to create a more sustainable trip because so many factors are at play. Transportation, souvenirs, food choices and accommodations all play a part in how large or small a traveler’s impact is at the end of their trip. Even those who think they’ve found sustainable ways to travel might fall prey to greenwashing, the practice of misleading consumers into believing something is sustainable...

How to Make an Upskilling Plan That’s Realistic and Fun  

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Upskilling has long been viewed as a way for professionals to get a competitive edge at work. In 2025, upskilling offers a new benefit: helping workers combat FOBO, or the fear of becoming obsolete. The World Economic Forum says that FOBO is fueled by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Uncertainty is now the norm, with an overwhelming 89% of US workers reporting that AI makes them feel concerned about their job security.  FOBO is undeniably real, but so is our ability to learn new skills. Intentionally upskilling goes beyond surviving the changing times—it helps bring back a sense of adaptability and reminds us that our skills are flexible, not fixed.  There are concrete benefits to upskilling this year. Let’s examine what those benefits are, looking at what forms upskilling can take and how to make a plan that keeps it fun.  What is upskilling?  Upskilling is the intentional pursuit of skill advancement in one’s job. Workers often learn new things at w...

The Perfect Career For Your DISC Personality Type

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The workplace can be tricky to navigate, not necessarily because of challenging work or pressing projects but because of the people you collaborate with daily. There is no set rulebook for the best way to resolve a conflict with a co-worker or how to keep an employee motivated. But there is the DISC assessment .  The DISC assessment is a set of questions that analyzes employees based on behaviors and preferences rather than intelligence and aptitudes. It then groups people into four main personality types. These classifications can help us identify what our co-workers value, what makes them tick and their typical approach to communication and solving problems, creating more synergy in the office.  But , as an individual, you can take the assessment a step further. You can use this information about yourself to decide what type of industry or position you’re most well-suited for and seek out jobs based on your DISC profile. Instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round ...

What Public Speaking Course Should I Take? A Detailed Guide

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For many people, public speaking is an overwhelmingly daunting task that never feels easy, no matter how often we do it. So, if you have decided to take the plunge and start learning this skill, congratulations! You are already ahead of the majority. Public speaking courses can be a great starting point in your learning curve, as they offer just the structured training that sets the foundation for becoming a better public speaker . However, with so many types of resources available—from in-person classes and workshops to online courses and personal coaching—choosing the right course or training can be a challenge in itself. Fortunately, this article can help you decide what public speaking course is best for you. Why Consider A Public Speaking Course? A public speaking course can help you overcome stage fright and anxiety. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as the implications of being a good public speaker extend across your personal and professional life. Here are some benef...

How To Build a Future-Ready Leadership Pipeline With Succession Planning

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Ensuring organizational continuity and preserving leadership legacy hinge on utilizing succession planning best practices. High-profile leadership transitions, such as Kevin Plank’s return to Under Armour, highlight the critical challenges and strategic decisions that companies face in maintaining leadership stability. Especially with the impending wave of baby-boomer retirements, known as the “ Silver Tsunami ,” the urgency for robust succession planning intensifies. As a leader, understanding the importance of proactive succession strategies, anticipating the impact of massive retirements on leadership roles and implementing best practices for building a leadership pipeline are all essential steps to ensure seamless transitions and sustained organizational success. The importance of CEO succession planning Many top executives harbor misconceptions about succession planning, often viewing it as a threat to their leadership. Ego and self-preservation can lead CEOs and boards to neg...