Retention is becoming less of a leadership challenge as employees "job hug" amid economic uncertainty, but this presents an opportunity for leaders to focus on regeneration, writes leadership expert Julie Winkle Giulioni. This includes engaging in development conversations and encouraging safe experiments to keep employees engaged and thriving. "Investing in their growth sends a powerful signal of support while also allowing employees to take constructive action to prepare for an uncertain future," Winkle Giulioni writes.

Identifying training needs and setting realistic goals are essential for effective staff development. Strategies include analyzing employees' performance, engaging them through active listening and open communication, and using diverse training methods such as e-learning and mentorship. Regular evaluation and updating of training programs can help ensure they remain relevant and effective.

The IRS has announced higher contribution limits for 2026, with the 401(k) limit rising from $23,500 to $24,500, and the IRA limit increasing from $7,000 to $7,500. Individuals 50 and older can make a $1,100 catch-up contribution to an IRA, up from $1,000.

The recent government shutdown holds many lessons for leaders, including how to spot zero-sum thinking -- where one person's gain is believed to mean another's loss -- so they can address it before it erupts into turf wars and diminished cooperation, writes Ashley Jordan, a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona. By modeling empathy and openness and building support networks of peers and opportunities for teams to share their challenges and solutions, leaders can create a psychologically safe workplace, Jordan notes.

The insurance industry is showing a strong degree of readiness for AI adoption, with many companies preparing employees for implementation of the technology, according to a survey from Digital Insurance. More than half of survey respondents said their companies have outlined the necessary skills and talent for AI implementation.

Extreme weather events are now recognized as significant macroeconomic forces, causing at least $1.4 trillion in damages to the global economy last year, per Bloomberg Intelligence data. As a result, many investors are recalibrating their strategies to prioritize resilience. Capital is increasingly directed toward infrastructure and assets capable of withstanding physical disruptions, and development banks and private funds are pioneering new financing mechanisms to support climate adaptation.

Many baby boomer business owners lack succession plans, posing risks to their families, employees and local economies. With nearly 80% of these owners lacking a written transition plan, financial advisors must take the initiative to guide clients through the process, ensuring business continuity and value preservation. "Advisors shouldn't wait for permission to bring up exit planning," write David Winslow and Clint Costa of Choreo. "Start the conversation, repeat it often and guide clients through the steps."

Telehealth and hospital-at-home programs have resumed normal operations after the government shutdown, thanks to a short-term extension of Medicare waivers that lasts until Jan. 30. The American Telemedicine Association and other stakeholders are calling for a permanent or multi-year extension to provide stability, as the uncertainty has caused some health systems to hesitate in launching new programs. "Our next ask obviously would be the longest extension possible," said Kyle Zebley, the ATA's new CEO. "Get us out of these short-term extensions. Get us on firmer ground."

Utah, Virginia and New Jersey had the highest percentages of hospitals earning "A" grades for safety in the Leapfrog Group's latest report. Ninety-four percent of the hospitals with "A" grades are part of larger health systems. Five hospitals that received failing grades have filed a lawsuit against Leapfrog.

Even as obesity medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide show benefits in weight loss and improving obesity-related conditions, lifestyle modifications remain a crucial part of obesity treatment, experts said at Obesity Week 2025. "Lifestyle change can be important in modifying the external obesogenic environment individuals are living in, and obesity management medications can be helpful in terms of modifying the internal or biology underlying obesity," said Ariana Chao, director of research at the Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating Activity and Weight Program.