The numbers are in, and the May jobs report completely defied expectations. Dropping a massive 172,000 new jobs against a predicted 85,000, the data suggests a resilient workforce economy. In his monthly chat with WDEL’s Peter MacArthur, Placers President Chris Burkhard noted that this forms a true three-month trend, marking the strongest stretch of job creation since early 2024. However, beneath the headline numbers lies a more complex story of a modern, shifting workforce. Unpacking the “Leverage Shift” and Underemployment While signs of life are returning to the local Delaware market, the economic landscape remains highly […]
How to stop skimming the surface of your ambitions, ditch standard corporate formulas, and find root significance. There is a specific kind of noise we all carry. It is the overwhelming sea of choices, ambitions, and expectations that flood our minds whenever we sit down to plan what comes next. As leaders and high achievers, we are wired to want the win. We want to hit every target, optimize every aspect of our lives, and ensure our strategies are flawless before the world sees them. But I have noticed a recurring pattern in my own life and in […]
Stephanie Lemek’s Playbook for Leaders I sat down with Stephanie Lemek, founder of The Wounded Workforce, expecting a complex, clinical discussion about mental health. What I got instead was a masterclass in simplicity. Stephanie is a “translator.” She takes the heavy, often scary language of workplace trauma and mental health and turns it into actions every leader can actually take: being human. In this episode, we simplify the taboo and give you a playbook for building a healthier, more sustainable culture without losing your focus on accountability. The Accountability Myth The biggest frustration […]
Moving from Reactive Firefighting to Intentional Impact “He who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life.” — Victor Hugo I recently took my leaders through a workshop on the concept of the daily plan. In my experience, being a leader is harder because it is “looser” than a front-line role. It’s often fuzzy around the edges. We hear mantras like: “Lead through our culture and values.” “Make sure you nail your numbers.” “Grow the business by 7%.” But […]
In his latest appearance on WDEL, Placers President Chris Burkhard breaks down the complex dynamics currently shaping the Delaware job market. With unemployment rising to 5.5%, Chris identifies a new trend called “job hugging”, where employees unnaturally hold onto roles due to a lack of confidence in finding new ones, paradoxically leading to fewer opportunities for others. The discussion also dives deep into the “Show Me Era” of hiring, where AI-driven tools are now screening candidates 24/7. Chris offers essential advice for job seekers on balancing technological optimization with a human touch to ensure resumes don’t get filtered […]
Tracy Davidson on why the best stories aren’t found on the screen, but within ourselves. “Whatever it is they’ve been afraid to do or thought that they couldn’t do it, I hope they leave braver than when they came in.” — Tracy Davidson I recently sat down with Tracy Davidson, a name synonymous with trusted news in the Philadelphia region for a distinguished, multi-decade career. If you’ve spent any time in the Mid-Atlantic, you’ve likely seen Tracy guiding viewers through everything from consumer investigations to breaking news. But while the world saw an award-winning […]
