The bosses with the happiest workers, the key to avoiding second-hand stress, and more top insights

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

Happiness at work may hinge on how you see your boss: Employees who think of their supervisors as partners report significantly higher levels of happiness than those who think of their managers as bosses, according to a paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. For middle-aged workers, the happiness boost is equivalent to the increased satisfaction that comes from more than doubling your household income. Such collegiality seems to ease some of the key stressors for those in mid-life, such as balancing professional and family responsibilities. • Here’s what people are saying.  

Putting second-hand stress in its place: Negativity and stress at work is contagious, and one person’s bad mood can easily infect an entire team. But author and happiness researcher Shawn Achor argues that a healthy dose of empathy can go a long way. Offering a struggling colleague a friendly ear and a few suggested solutions can help. But remember to protect yourself, and your mood. Taking “strategic retreats” from stubbornly negative coworkers can keep someone else’s stress from becoming your own. • Here’s what people are saying.

Make your afternoon slump work to your advantage: As the work day progresses,  our brains tend to veer into power save mode, limiting our ability to concentrate on key tasks. Instead of fighting that process, UT Austin psychology professor Art Markman says we should ride our natural waves. For many, the start of the day is high time to focus on projects that call for internal motivation — writing, researching, reading. But post-lunch, we’re better off with activities that have external sources of motivation, like taking meetings or attending events. • Here’s what people are saying.

You Asked: In this week's edition of You Asked, author and research professor Brené Brown answers a question she consistently receives from readers: "During tough conversations at work, what's the difference between showing fear and putting up your armor?"

Looking for career advice from the pros? Submit your questions in the comments with #YouAsked and we’ll take care of the rest.

Recruiters, we have a job description problem: Researchers from the University of Chicago and Monash University in Australia have found that language aimed at encouraging minority applicants is doing the opposite. Such statements — which assert that an employer will consider applicants without regard to characteristics like gender, race, or age — can discourage minorities from applying, partly out of fear that they will be considered token hires, Quartz reports. Minority job seekers who live in cities with large white populations are most likely to be turned off by such language. • Here’s what people are saying.

One last idea:  It would be nice to think of professional growth as a comfortable, easygoing process. But, as author Jeff Haden reminds us, it’s often anything but, and for good reason.

“Growth happens when you're stretched. Growth happens when you're pushed. Growth happens when you're forced to overcome challenges, obstacles and self-doubt. If you aren't uncomfortable, you aren't growing.”

What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories in the comments.

— Scott Olster