How the most successful people work; What millennials want in a job

What’s happening in the world of work: The special weekend edition of the Daily Rundown highlights the business trends, perspectives, and hot topics you need to know to work smarter.

You’re probably busier than Warren Buffett. Entrepreneur and author Michael Simmons has studied the mega-successful to figure out what sets them apart. His conclusion? Top performers step away from their work to focus on activities that boost their knowledge, creativity, or energy. Warren Buffett (who, by his own estimate, spends 80% of his day reading and thinking) has very few items on his schedule; all that time spent ruminating ultimately provides more long-term value than the “short-term deadlines, meetings, and minutiae” that fill most workers’ days. ? Share your thoughts: #SuccessfulTraits

Millennials: They’re just like us. Lee Caraher had such a hard time hiring and keeping millennials that she decided to do some research — and ended up literally writing the book about how to manage the oft-maligned generation. While she found sweeping generalizations to be vastly overstated, some common leadership themes did emerge: She suggests ditching corporate hierarchy, setting clear expectations, and giving context for why the work matters. And these changes aren’t just good for millennials. “Who doesn’t want to be excited about why they’re coming to work every day? These are human conditions; they’re not necessarily millennial conditions.” ? Share your thoughts: #MillennialsWorkplace

Should CEOs speak out on key issues? It depends, writes Harvard Business School professor and former MedTronic chief Bill George, who also expects we’ll see more leaders doing so as public dialogue becomes more divisive. “In today’s complex world, CEOs are looked to as standard bearers for their companies,” he explains, saying that if the business’s mission and values are violated, that’s the right time to take a stand. “If their positions are based on their company’s principles, not just self-interest, then these leaders are on solid ground.” ? Share your thoughts: #CEOsSpeakOut

When it comes to stress, being unemployed could be better than a bad job. In a University of Manchester study of 1,000 unemployed participants, researchers found that those who took low-paying or high-stress work had higher chronic stress over the following years than those who stayed unemployed. Participants with good jobs saw mental health levels improve. “Job quality cannot be disregarded from the employment success of the unemployed,” said the study’s lead author. ? Share your thoughts: #BadJobNoJob

Your work-from-home policy needs a revamp if… Telecommuting is a hot topic, with some companies reining in remote work policies and others espousing their benefits. But business leaders should evaluate whether it’s really working for their firms, says recruitment expert Anna O’Dea. And part of that means examining their own remote habits: “Are you being responsive when off site? Taking interest in your staff so they feel energised?” Making flexible work actually work may require additional structure, from setting expectations for response times to scheduling regular in-person check-ins. ? Share your thoughts: #RemoteWorkers

One last idea: “Embrace the suck.” This motto got former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb through the lowest points in his life, from SEAL training to his business collapsing. It’s more than surviving tough situations, he says — it’s deciding to stay in the game.

“Most outrageously successful business ideas are born out of the experience of failure, sometimes even bitter failure. The pain is temporary; the learning is priceless.”

What's your take? Join the conversation on this weekend's stories: #SuccessfulTraits | #MillennialsWorkplace | #CEOsSpeakOut | #BadJobNoJob | #RemoteWorkers

Come back on Monday, and every weekday, to start your day with a roundup of the professional news you need to know.

Katie Carroll / Share this using #DailyRundown