Can HMEF’s Education Strategy Pay Off for Maine’s Service Industry?

Work feels different today. Conversations about AI, hybrid schedules, shifting career paths, and talent shortages aren’t just industry headlines—they’re shaping everyday decisions for workers and employers alike. As people rethink what they want from their careers and companies rethink what they need from their teams, one theme keeps rising to the surface: the skills that…

Empathy has become a business competency, not a soft nice-to-have. With hybrid teams, rapid AI adoption, and a workforce increasingly vocal about identity and inclusion, companies are being pushed to rethink what effective leadership looks like right now. Research and workplace trend reports consistently show that employees who feel seen and supported are more…

Burnout among faith leaders has surged in recent years, fueled by heavier workloads, complex community needs, and the quiet exhaustion many pastors carry—sparking urgent conversations about resilience, calling, and sustainable leadership. A survey found that roughly four in ten pastors considered leaving full-time ministry in a single year, citing reasons like stress and loneliness—making guidance…

In a workplace culture increasingly shaped by rapid change, rising expectations, and new definitions of leadership, professionals are redefining success beyond titles and output. Empathy, intuition, and inner alignment — once seen as intangible “nice-to-haves” — are now emerging as competitive advantages. As recent workforce studies show that human-centered leaders drive higher engagement and…