Boost older employees' skills to improve competitiveness

Whether you're introducing a new product or trying to motivate your employees to give back to their community, storytelling is one of the most compelling tools in your toolbox, writes Ann Wylie, who suggests adapting existing stories, requesting stories from audiences and creating scenarios. Stories are everywhere; Wylie writes: "I once used a tale from 'I Love Lucy' to explain cost accounting for an internal comms channel I managed."

Put it into practice: Ask "when" questions if you're interviewing someone to prompt them to reveal stories about moments that were pivotal in their lives, Wylie recommends. "Because that's where the stories are."

You can still eat healthy over the holidays by focusing on whole, minimally processed foods, planning meals ahead and eating consistently to avoid overeating at events, says registered dietitian Claire Edgemon from Baylor College of Medicine. Portion control and healthful substitutions, such as using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, are recommended to manage calorie intake, and maintaining exercise regimens can also mitigate weight gain, Edgemon suggests.

Living by the philosophy of stoicism can boost your leadership by bringing you a sense of inner peace and resilience, but when you misunderstand its precepts, it can result in emotional suppression, overcommitment and detachment from others, writes J.D. Meier, who recommends focusing on emotional awareness, setting boundaries and maintaining meaningful relationships. "By practicing stoicism thoughtfully, you can harness its power to protect yourself from burnout rather than falling victim to it," Meier notes.

The most mispronounced words in the US and UK this past year, according to the language-learning website Babbel, were famous names, including performers Chappell Roan (CHAP-uhl ROHN), Zendaya (Zen-DAY-a) and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris (COM-a-la HAR-iss). Other mangled words of 2024 include Shein, the fast-fashion site (it's SHE-in, not SHEEN or SHINE), semaglutide (sem-ah-GLOO-tide), which is the drug in the weight-loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy and the Paris Olympics and summer Paralympics mascot, Phryge (FREE-je).

The giant glass tree constructed every year by Rob Elliott and Jason Mack at the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wis., is notable for its beauty, durability and the enjoyment it brings to the community, but it also has been the springboard to sustainability efforts. Elliott and Mack started working with Strategic Materials last year to pass along surplus glass that had been donated for the tree, and have now begun working with the Glass Packaging Institute and the Glass Recycling Foundation on commercial glass collection efforts in their area of the state.

I can sympathize with Chappell Roan, Zendaya and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who have their names regularly mangled. My last name is often a challenge for people. The "ch" is like a "sh," like the "shell" in Michelle, so it's "shell-LOO."

I've heard so many butchered variations of my name that it gets funny after a while, but as leaders, it's essential for us not just to remember names (I'm bad at this, too) but to say them correctly. Doing so shows that we care enough to learn the proper pronunciation. It also demonstrates respect, cultural awareness and a commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

When your people feel respected and included, they are more likely to perform well. Taking the time to say someone's name correctly can boost their confidence and morale. This small effort can have a significant impact on workplace harmony and productivity.

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