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Showing posts from January, 2025

Should You Take the ‘Federal Buyout?’ Experts Advise Against It

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If you’re one of the over 2 million federal employees who received the “ Fork in the Road ” email, you’re probably wondering where to go from here. The new administration is interested in making large changes to the federal government, with President Trump signing executive orders to remove protections from federal employees , force a return to office , freeze hiring and end diversity and inclusion programs on the day of his inauguration. Voluntary resignation may sound like a nice alternative to staying in a job with so many unknowns. However, before abandoning ship, it’s important to make sure the lifeboats are seaworthy. In this case, there are a few holes to be aware of.  The offer on the table  Is it a buyout? Though many politicians are calling the offer a buyout, most lawyers and law experts disagreed with this being the correct term . Federal employment lawyer Justin Schnitzer says, “It’s not a buyout. It’s not a severance ,” while employment attorney James Plu...

Mission: Possible

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You probably know TV personality Robert Irvine from his appearances on hundreds of episodes of the Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible , in which he swoops in to help failing restaurants turn their business around in 48 hours. Or maybe you’ve seen Dinner: Impossible , where he must serve dinner under a set of potentially catastrophic conditions—say, creating a meal for 250 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers in just nine hours. But do you know Robert Irvine the entrepreneur ? This is the man who runs the energy bar company FITCRUNCH , a craft distillery, the prepared foods brand Robert Irvine Foods , a restaurant at the Pentagon, a magazine, a clothing line and the Robert Irvine Foundation , a vast philanthropic operation with programs benefiting his fellow military veterans (he enlisted in the U.K.’s Royal Navy at age 15). Irvine’s enterprises employ some 7,500 people, and whether he’s working on a new product launch, hiking through the Scottish Highlands alongside veterans, in the ki...

A Black Woman Conducted a Catfishing Experiment as a White Woman on LinkedIn—and Yes, Race Mattered

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After months spent hunting for a new job, Aliyah Jones still had a pretty good sense of humor about the job market . She often posted about her experience on social media, using a mix of relatable memes and wit to bond with others who were slogging through endless applications. However, while most responses were positive, one stood out to Jones in all the worst ways: a well-meaning person who insisted she hadn’t been hired because she wasn’t acting “corporate enough.”  This sort of microaggression is unfortunately common. Black women frequently face tone policing, such as being told that they’re too “angry” or “bitter” for showing emotion in a professional setting—even if their white and non-Black colleagues demonstrate the same behaviors without reprimand. Black women are also 2.5 times more likely to be called “unprofessional ” simply for wearing their hair the way it grows out of their head (rather than straightening it).  Jones recognized the comment for what it was, but...

Super Bowl Commercials Prove Advertising is the Ultimate End Game

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Mark your calendars: Feb. 9 brings the Super Bowl showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Fox Sports’ coverage will be shot with Sony’s next-gen full-frame cinema cameras , instant-replay technology from Hawk-Eye Innovations and high-speed Sky Cams, placing you at the center of every game-winning touchdown. Viewers can catch the action live and free on Tubi for the first time in stunning 4K. Advertisers have also secured premium commercial slots of historic value this year, reminding us why TV ads are still producing “ record pricing ” and engagement.  Ad rates for the Super Bowl soar, with 10 spots set at $8 million each The Super Bowl ad space is the ultimate stage for the big names—liken it to the Golden Globes of brand marketing . Companies invest millions in creative, high-production adverts designed to capture our attention and dominate conversation long after the final whistle. Viewers can expect to see c...

How to Build Self-Confidence to Achieve More And Unlock Your Potential

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Self-confidence is a crucial skill that influences every aspect of our lives, especially in areas like decision-making, building meaningful relationships and achieving personal and professional success. It’s the foundation of self-assurance, enabling us to face life’s many challenges and not shy away from new opportunities. It also helps us learn to grow as individuals. If you’re wondering how to build self-confidence and foster a stronger sense of self-worth, this guide is here to help. Understanding Self-Confidence And Self-Worth To begin boosting your self-confidence , it’s important to understand some key concepts: Self-Confidence Self-confidence is the belief in your ability to succeed at different tasks or situations. If you’re asking yourself how to be more confident, it comes from experience, past successes or how generally capable you feel in particular areas. While self-confidence can boost your overall motivation and encourage you to take action, it’s important to rememb...

The Surprising Ways Your Job Posting is Excluding Applicants

When posting a new job , it’s easy to default to the same old template that your company has used for ages. After all, it saves you time and gets the post up faster. However, what many fail to realize is that the average job template often includes language and requirements that deter strong candidates from ever hitting the “Apply” button at all. This can lead to workplaces that lack the diversity required for high-performing , innovative teams.  If your company’s job posts aren’t getting the sort of robust responses you’re hoping for, these tips might help.  Requirements to reconsider “Define must-have qualifications that are truly essential for success in the role and list preferred qualifications separately,” says employment lawyer Jessica Childress . Similarly, business psychologist and certified diversity, equity and inclusion executive Shawna Gann says, “Specific, fixed requirements can limit who even makes it to the first round.”  Focus on skills, not year...

Learning To Feel: Marc Brackett’s Approach to Emotional Intelligence for Kids

Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is a professor at the Child Study Center at Yale University and the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) . The YCEI conducts research on the science of emotions and emotional intelligence and develops ways to teach these skills to children and adults. Since it was founded in 2013, the YCEI has helped over 5 million children in over 5,000 schools worldwide develop their emotional intelligence skills. Success+ talked with Brackett about the YCEI and emotional intelligence. S+ : What is the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence? MB : The YCEI is a group of about 50 people who do two things. We research the science of emotions and the skills of emotional intelligence , and we develop innovative approaches to teaching emotional intelligence to children and adults who are raising and teaching them. S+ : How does the YCEI define emotional intelligence? MB : We use an acronym, which is RULER… to describe the skills. And those are: R ...

What Actors Can Teach Us: Think on Your Feet & Gain Confidence With Improvisation

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In many ways, improvisation feels like playing in a safe space—but don’t let the fun fool you. These heightened versions of reality can spark meaningful discoveries. My own experience with improvisation comes from directing short plays and films in Manhattan. In rehearsals, I’d frequently ask actors to set their scripts aside and interact as their characters with specific objectives. No longer restricted to the page, they would loosen up and listen more intently. Even the goofiest moments usually brought important surprises that I used later on.  In an improvisation class—which is different from the performance improv I was doing—the process involves exercises and scenes. It may be taught in groups, solo, in person or virtually. Class scenarios are structured with the “five Ws” (who, what, where, when and why) and a specific objective, according to professional actor and acting instructor Elizabeth D’Onofrio . The benefits of improvisation are so vast that classes are now taught...

Psychologists Share Tips on How to Cope After a Natural Disaster

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For weeks now, wildfires have been ravaging Southern California , devastating neighborhoods and forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. It’s not difficult to see the external consequences of these disasters, but the internal effects natural disasters have on the people experiencing them can also be debilitating.  Natural disasters have always been part of the reality of life on Earth. But as global temperatures have risen due to climate change, wildfires, floods and hurricanes have become increasingly frequent, making discussions about their consequences all the more critical. These events can present unique mental health challenges, and variables such as socioeconomic factors and the status of rebuilding efforts can all play into how a natural disaster manifests psychologically. Still, anyone who experiences a natural disaster will likely first undergo a period of grief, says  Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., who is the founder of Center For Loss and Life Transition a...

How To Negotiate With Debt Collectors: Tips For Reducing Your Debt

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Debt management can be an overwhelming and isolating experience for many. The emotional burden of making ends meet coupled with shame can feel heavy. Being bombarded by calls from debt collectors day and night only makes it worse. The average American credit card balance rose to $7,236 in 2024. Chances are you fall among this group. If so, don’t worry—hope is right around the corner. Here you’ll learn how to negotiate with debt collectors and achieve financial freedom. Benefits Of Negotiating With Debt Collectors When you have unpaid debts, debt collectors can get aggressive. Negotiating with them isn’t just about reducing what you owe—it’s about taking control of your financial future. Benefits of successful negotiations include: Lowered Interest Rates or Fees: Negotiating can reduce interest rates and fees associated with your debt, saving you significant money over time. Reduced Principal Amounts Owed: Creditors may agree to lower the principal balance, making repayment mor...

Rules of Engagement: Influencer Marketing Done Right

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Your fashionable neighbor’s new shoes. Your fit friend’s favorite yogurt. Your dad pitching you his alma mater. Influence has long been the match that lit the fuse to compel someone to make a purchase or develop certain beliefs. But thanks to social media, modern-day influencers now have a forum far beyond their immediate circle to exercise their persuasive reach. And given the continuing erosion of trust in traditional social institutions like government and the media, today’s influencers wield significant power when it comes to inspiring brand loyalty or setting a company’s reputation ablaze. With such high stakes involved, developing influencer marketing strategies requires a careful approach to ensure the best brand fit and mutual success. Why should brands go beyond traditional media to engage with influencers? “There is no doubt that if you are in consumer-packaged goods, if you own a restaurant or a retail establishment—pop-up, brick-and-mortar, online, it doesn’t really mat...