Across the cubicles, in the cafeteria, walking through the parking garage … it seems all people want to talk about these days is the recession. I, for one, have grown weary of it, and at times find it debilitating for getting work done. How can I tune it out and instead focus on helping our company remain viable?

I’m a human resources manager and have to have a difficult conversation with somebody over their attitude. How can I make this as gracious as possible while still getting the company’s concerns across clearly?

A reader asks: I’m in my late 50s and will soon retire from a lengthy career in policing. I would like to continue working and make use of the wide array of management skills that I’ve developed as a senior officer – but in a completely new field. What steps do I take for such a move?

My career is a bit different – I’ve been a national level athlete for 10 years and devoted all my “working” time to my sport. I am on the cusp of turning pro, but I don’t know how to get to the next level. What can I do that will put me over the top?

Maybe its mid-winter lethargy or just a phase I’m going through, but I seem to have lost my mojo at work. What can I do to re-energize myself, to get the energy back into my career?