When Ariana Huffington was running "Huffpost," the news website she founded and later sold, she broke a cheekbone when she collapsed from exhaustion, an episode that made her embrace a healthier lifestyle and give up hustle culture. Now, in her 70s, the founder of Thrive Global says she's careful how she spends her time. "For instance, if I say yes to a breakfast meeting that drains me, I'm also saying no to the things that actually help me be productive and creative and engaged. Being able to say no -- without apology -- is an essential skill," Huffington says.

Fractional leadership, where executives work part-time across multiple companies, is on the rise, particularly among women. Driven by the desire for flexibility, autonomy and impact without corporate constraints, more women are opting for this model. Data shows that women are more likely to take on fractional executive roles, especially as chief marketing officers and chief financial officers, and the number of such positions has tripled globally over the past five years. This trend enables women to remain influential leaders while designing careers that suit their ambitions and lifestyles.

To advance as a leader, don't take on more work; instead, focus on being seen as someone who can influence the company's direction and contribute strategic insights, writes leadership coach Susan Mazza. By making intentional mindset shifts -- such as owning your value, shaping direction and positioning your expertise -- you can gain recognition for your judgment and vision. "Every time you shift from carrying the load to shaping the direction, your clarity and confidence rise -- and so does your visibility," Mazza writes.

As the end of the year approaches, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all that needs to get done at work and at home, writes Tracy Brower, the vice president of workplace insights for Steelcase, who recommends prioritizing what needs to be done now and what can wait until the new year, avoiding habits that drain you such as too much time online and focusing on gratitude. "Surprisingly, when you remind yourself that you can't do it all, you'll actually enhance your well-being," Brower notes.

The world is changing rapidly, driven by factors such as AI advancements, geopolitical tensions and climate challenges, which means that leaders at every level must develop the ability to pause, assess and act strategically, writes author and leadership expert Sally Percy. Leaders who foster curiosity, critical thinking and courageous decision-making will be best equipped to guide organizations through increasing complexity and uncertainty in 2026.

Instead of giving your team all the answers they seek, formulate good questions that create a sense of safety so they can generate ideas and come up with creative solutions, writes executive coach Kelly Meerbott, who offers five "turn-key ready" questions you can ask today. "Each of these questions is deceptively simple. But paired with active listening and genuine curiosity, they can completely change the trajectory of a conversation," Meerbott writes.