Workplace trends

Young doctors are questioning the workaholic culture of the job

Much to the chagrin of their older colleagues, members of the newest generation of doctors are adamant that more work-life balance is needed in the medical profession. Physicians work an average of 59 hours weekly, and with the intense pressure and emotional strain of the job, nearly half report burnout, according to the American Medical Association. And with residents often working more than 70 hours per week, many younger doctors are pushing for the idea that work-life balance and predictable hours shouldn’t be at odds with being an M.D.. This shift in perspective has divided the medical community: while one camp argues that the workaholic nature of the career is outdated, the other claims that seeking work-life balance in this profession makes physicians less committed to their work, which would harm patient care.

Tech nerds are taking on modern warfare

The classic picture of elite soldiers as macho hulks may have fooled us into believing today’s screen-addicted youths wouldn’t make for a strong army, but Ukraine’s drone soldiers have proven otherwise. It turns out that piloting drones doesn’t demand muscles, but rather the kind of quick-thinking and nimble thumbs the tech world has fostered in many of their employees. These units, resembling scrappy startups with their makeshift workspaces and DIY ethos, are made up of agricultural chemists, product engineers, and developers. This unlikely band of tech enthusiasts has become the deadliest force on the modern battlefield, halting the massive Russian army in its tracks. While Ukraine may be the first to embrace this approach, experts believe this success will be adopted by many more military forces going forward.

The AI corner

Big Tech is seeing its AI gamble pay off big-time

Investors have been worrying that big tech companies may be overspending on cloud capacity for AI, but recent reports indicate a positive trend in revenue growth among major cloud providers. Over the past year, AI developers have demanded more processing power than traditional software firms, which resulted in Amazon, Microsoft, and Google collectively seeing a 22% increase in revenue this quarter compared to last year. Google Cloud’s revenue surged by 35%, while Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company’s cloud AI business is growing at a triple-digit rate. Additionally, Microsoft announced that sales of its AI products and cloud services are projected to exceed $10 billion annually for the first time this quarter. In line with this encouraging momentum, the three tech giants have indicated that their spending is expected to rise in the coming months.

Artists are battling for their creative integrity in the age of AI

A group of 11,000 artists, including high-profile names like Abba, Radiohead, Kevin Bacon, and Kate Moss, have united to voice concerns about AI’s impact on creative industries. Organized by former GenAI startup executive Ed Newton-Rex, the group says that AI is overshadowing human-created work while exploiting copyrighted material for training purposes without fair compensation. In fact, they argue that while tech companies invest billions into AI infrastructure, they’re reluctant to pay for the essential data their AI models require. The creative community further fears that government officials, swayed by promises of AI company investments, may be crafting policies that prioritize tech interests over the intellectual property rights of artists and creators.

Finding your leadership flair

As a leader, you play a key role in defining company culture and performance. In fact, managers influence 70% of the variance in team engagement, per a study by Gallup, underscoring the powerful influence you have in shaping an innovative and collaborative work environment for your team. To get the formula right, you need the right combination of leadership qualities.

And while great managers must have traditional skills like communication, analytical prowess, and empathy, there’s a new element that has become really key. Authenticity is now a coveted leadership characteristic, with 80% of people managers seeing it as crucial for employee engagement, according to a study by Harvard Business Publishing. To put it simply, being your true self is actually one of the most powerful leadership attributes you can have.

So, how do you find your personal flair as a manager and bring your best self to your team?

Connect with your purpose

For many, choosing to become a manager was a significant and exciting decision. Perhaps you were motivated by ambitious goals like the challenge of building a team or the desire to inspire others to reach their full potential. Whatever your reasons, it’s essential to stay connected to your “why” as a leader.

Managing with purpose not only keeps you energized and driven to achieve more, it also inspires your team to do the same. In fact, 79% of leaders believe purpose is central to success as a manager, per a study by PwC. So, try to continuously reconnect with the passion that initially brought you into this role. It may sound cheesy, but consider writing down the reasons you find fulfillment in your work so that you can reference them on tougher days.

Go with your gut

When you bring your true self to your work, you don’t waste any time trying on management styles that don’t actually fit you – you own the characteristics that make you excel as a leader. This brand of authentic leadership is truly empowering and can have a positive impact on others. Showing your team that you know who you are and what you bring to the table, can inspire them to bring their true selves to their roles as well. That’s why authentic managers drive 20% higher team engagement, according to Gallup.

So as you think about raising your leadership game in 2025, think about all of the attributes that make you great in your real life – maybe your humor, thoughtfulness, or sense of adventure – and find ways to incorporate those characteristics into your role as a leader. For example, if you have a knack for gamification, you could try kicking off your next team meeting with a short game. Once you find what’s working, you can integrate it into other areas until you’ve created a fully gamified workshop. Making small, intentional changes can have a significant impact on your leadership effectiveness, but also on your sense of personal fulfillment.

Expand your skills

Stepping out of your comfort zone is intimidating for everyone, but maybe especially as a leader. It can feel nerve-wracking to try something new in front of your team since there’s always the possibility that it won’t work. But if you continue to do things the way you always have, there’s no platform to grow and evolve your personal leadership style. So, if you’re apprehensive about making a big move to try something new, think about making small stretch goals for yourself instead. Perhaps this means learning a new AI technology and incorporating it modestly into one area of your work. Then once you feel comfortable using it, you can bring your new skill to your team interactions. Regardless, set the standard for your team that learning and development are key at every stage of work to inspire them to continue to expand their skills as well.

Invest in your strengths

While it’s natural to want to improve your shortcomings as a leader, great managers are increasingly finding that more of an impact can be made by focusing on their strengths and investing in making them even stronger. So, take some time to really process what your greatest strengths are and then brainstorm ways to enhance those areas. For example, if you are great at giving engaging presentations, think about joining a public speaking workshop to learn new impactful techniques. Investing in your natural talents maximizes your effectiveness as a leader, according to Science Direct – driving increased confidence, better decision-making, and improved performance.

Be kind to yourself

Being a leader can at times feel really challenging, so first and foremost, cut yourself some slack. On the days when work feels a bit lonely or it seems like you’re not able to manage in the way you want, allow yourself to feel whatever it is that you’re feeling. Have self-compassion and give yourself the same support you’d give to a team member on a hard day. As long as you’re bringing your best and true self to work and doing what you can to support and empower your employees, you’re doing it right. Take a breath, and recognize that having these feelings from time to time doesn’t mean you’re any less qualified or effective at your job – it simply means you’re human.

Water cooler chatter

Burning Man is urgently calling for donations amid dropping ticket sales. The festival experienced a significant decline in revenue this year, following a rain-plagued 2023. The non-profit organization is now in a desperate bid to raise $20 million before 2025, or face the possibility of securing corporate sponsorship – a notion that goes against its own principle of radical self-reliance.

The DMV has been accused of slander for putting “San Fran” on licenses. California State Sen. Scott Wiener has demanded that the DMV cease and desist any use of the term, echoing the characteristic sensitivity that locals put on how their city is referenced. In response, the DMV stated that if “San Fran” appeared on a driver’s license, it was a typo that has since been corrected.

Question of the week

Last week’s answer: 47%
This week’s question: When combined, how many days per year does the average American worker spend commuting?

Just for laughs