Too much positivity in business in the form of "Ursula Upbeat" type employees who engage in wishful thinking can make leaders miss emerging dangers, writes Adam Hanft, CEO of Hanft Ideas, who recommends balancing optimists with some "Debbie Downers." "We must widen our definition of diversity so those who are genetically wired to fight rose-colored cognition have a visible and honored place in the enterprise," Hanft asserts.

Companies that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion can increase their reach 26% in two years, says strategist Troy Sandidge. DEI marketing must start with an introspective look at an organization's current state and what changes are possible, Sandidge advises, and consider the context of messages before jumping on bandwagons.

When identifying potential candidates, spend time getting to know them to determine their personality and work style, as opposed to simply their experience level, according to David Busker, founder of FranchiseVision. When it comes to looking at experience, give weight to those who have varied backgrounds and could adapt to cross-functional roles.

Sometimes closing the deal relies on no surprises popping up during sales presentations, writes Trey Morris, vice president and senior consultant for the Center for Sales Strategy. Morris writes that presentations should address business needs and client pain points, as well as focus on the return on investment for the price.

Leaders can maximize their executive team by hiring top talent (and quickly letting them go if it isn't working out) and being willing to make unpopular decisions for the good of the company, says Owen Tripp, co-founder and CEO of Included Health. "It's actually about setting a moderate tone on something and just being pragmatic and practical, which isn't necessarily going to drive a lot of engagement," Tripp says.

For one minute, 353 ballerinas remained en pointe, on their toes, in the Plaza Hotel to set a new Guinness World Record for classical ballet technique. This topped the old record of 306 ballerinas set in 2019. Youth America Grand Prix, a nonprofit group that backs dance competitions, sponsored the event.