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The changes include clearer and revamped questions and updated requirements for criminal, regulatory and financial disclosures, the CSBS said. View the full article

The changes put out by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac make it clear the Nov. 2 date applies to valuation submissions to the UDCP, not when the loan is delivered. View the full article

The letter suggests Mortgage Connect review and end the use of any noncompete or other agreements that aren't necessary and to notify workers of updates. View the full article

Designers love to experiment, but there’s one particular object where they tend to get especially creative and even weird: lighting. Picture a ceramic lamp sculpted into a car, a fixture and shade cast in metal swirls, and something that looks like a cork UFO. These out-of-the-box designs are part of a new exhibition during New York’s Design Week showing the unusual territory where designers are taking lighting. Mazhariyya LampSolid Lacebeacons (scale-less-ness) Now in its sixth edition, the Head Hi Lamp Show brings together 36 eccentric lamps from designers located around the world. It is organized by Alexandra Hodkowski and Alvaro Alcocer, the founders of Head Hi, an architecture bookstore and cafe in Brooklyn. This year they brought in Stephen Markos, founder of the design gallery Superhouse, to curate the show. Alexandra HodkowskiAlvaro Alcocer “The exhibition celebrates our universal relationship to light, design and creative expression and, more specifically, objects that have the ability to change our spatial understanding, to tone our immediate atmosphere,” the organizers said in a news release. LandcruisingColonneLamp (Fragment)H3LLR8SR The lamps on view all function, but they celebrate creativity and form above all. The lineup also includes a lamp composed of a red metal frame draped with a sky print fabric as its shade by the Malaysian designer Jun Ong, a paper sconce printed with a figurative graphic by the San Francisco–based practice Studio Ahead, and a totemic marble piece by the Venetian artist Giacomo Bianco. AERO LAMPMOSTRO VIIMan Kozo Lantern The show is on view at Head Hi and online from May 18 through October. All the lamps are available for sale, too. View the full article

It was the shock that the design world didn’t see coming, but should have. In mid-April, Anthropic, the maker of Claude, launched a stand-alone design tool called Claude Design. No matter that Google had already tried the same thing with its platform Stitch, and there were also plenty of perfectly good vibe coding tools on the market. The possibility that Anthropic—the same AI company known for upending product development by rapidly commoditizing code—was coming for design next introduced a sudden urgency into the conversation around design tools and automation. Friends suddenly looked a lot more like competitors. Designer-influencers reacted in hyperbolic doomerism. Investors concurred that Claude’s aspirations spelled danger for design tools, and Figma’s stock dropped approximately 7% the day of the announcement, while Adobe’s was knocked down by around 2.5%. That’s the way competition works in any industry. But in this case, Figma and Adobe (alongside Canva, which is privately owned) are all long-standing partners with Anthropic. I connected with the three design companies following the news. For the most part, even Anthropic’s own partners in the design tool world seemed surprised by the announcement. And I can say with certainty that the acting product design teams at Figma and Adobe had no idea that a competitive product from Anthropic was about to drop. While this is all just business, the announcement underscored what has been increasingly clear for a while now: Design—as judged by the tools its practitioners use, at least—is in a messy moment where it can feel like design is eating itself. Why everybody collabs with Anthropic This particular moment was so surprising to the design tools industry because, for the most part, new AI frontier model companies have been playing nicely with incumbents. Figma (like Adobe and Canva) has been operating under a multiyear collaboration with Anthropic to integrate Claude into Figma and Figma into Claude. Yes, it’s a strangely interdependent relationship. Design tools need the best frontier models to power their software. And yet, they also want to appear as part of those models, not only to attract new users but to remain relevant in a world where people increasingly work within an AI feed. Despite this collaboration, Anthropic’s sudden announcement of a rich graphical user interface (GUI) editing tool seems to have gone a step beyond anything that Anthropic had disclosed to Figma was in the works. A few days before the announcement dropped, Mike Krieger, Anthropic’s chief product officer, stepped down from Figma’s board. As Figma’s cofounder Dylan Field put it (with a wink to Sam Altman’s firing from OpenAI): “They were not consistently candid in their communications,” according to a report on Upstarts Media. I got a similar impression during a background call with Adobe, in which the company reiterated that it has had an excellent, long-term relationship with Anthropic, and it recently collaborated on integrating Adobe workflows into Anthropic’s large language model (LLM). However, I also concluded that the news of Claude Design had arrived with very little notice. There was enough polite talking around my specific follow-ups that I suspect that Adobe got the same fuzzy-facts presentation about what Claude Design actually constituted that was given to Figma. (Anthropic declined an interview request.) The outlier here, perhaps, is Canva—which is the only company claiming to have co-developed Claude Design with Anthropic. According to press releases, the company announced that its Canva Design Engine powered Claude Design the day before Claude Design was even announced—and Canva is the only company that has its own preferential “export to [Canva]” button in Claude Design. When I asked about the platform’s co-development, Canva declined to share much more than that. When asked how long that development work had gone on for, Canva cofounder and COO Cliff Obrecht only offered the time frame of “more recently.” No doubt, NDAs have limited what most companies can share regarding their ongoing development work with Anthropic. But I also get why these companies would hesitate to say that Anthropic left them out of Claude Design: Everyone wants a date to the AI dance. And nobody wants to look like they were stood up while Anthropic went stag instead. A network of frenemies Truthfully, this development shouldn’t have been surprising to any of us. Technology companies have long operated as frenemies, competitors who are forced to rely on one another for certain pieces of the puzzle that they each need to thrive. It’s why even though Apple and Google are fierce competitors in smartphones, Google is building Apple’s new AI model while it pays Apple billions a year to promote Google search on iPhones. But for Anthropic—a company that’s successfully positioned itself as the darling, more morally grounded alternative to OpenAI—the launch of Claude Design felt particularly ambitious. By complementing code with design, Claude could become a one-stop shop of product development, potentially compromising goodwill with long-standing corporate partners in design in order to make a surprise splash and capture market share. Anthropic did not opt to comment for this piece. However, Joel Lewenstein, the company’s thoughtful head of product design (who we’ve spoken to twice in the past), took to X to publish what seemed to be a response to the widespread speculation that his company was aiming to obliterate the entire field of digital design tools. “I don’t imagine Claude Design (or any tool) will ever replace all the tools around it . . . creative people have their own preferences on how to explore and refine ideas. Most notably, Claude Design doesn’t yet address that last mile craft and delight that differentiates the best products from the OK ones. As with many things in our practice, we’re just not sure where or how that gap closes: better models, better tools, a more focused design skill set, or (most likely) some combination of the three,” Lewenstein wrote, ultimately concluding that he hopes Claude Design is “one tool amongst many.” On this point, it seems that Anthropic and design tool companies agree. So far, the market is still signaling a strong desire for these seemingly vulnerable stand-alone design tools. Adobe’s revenue grew a respectable 11.5% in 2025, while Figma’s grew by an impressive 41%. Canva not only added 35% to its revenue, but also 85 million new users over the course of last year. The ongoing vulnerability of giant AI models The problem for Anthropic, meanwhile, is that it’s also vulnerable to market pressures. There’s no doubt that, since the launch of Claude Code last year, the company has been in the pole position of innovative, productive artificial intelligence. However, for any third-party piece of software, swapping in a new AI model is as easy as updating a single line of code. Training and operating a model like Claude is incredibly expensive. Cheaper or open-source AI models don’t lag so far behind the state-of-the-art ones. And, perhaps most crucially, there’s no reason that Canva, Figma, and Adobe need to support Claude in the longer term if it’s not the best solution for their platforms. In fact, both Figma and Adobe positioned themselves to me as AI-agnostic. “We will partner with models when it makes sense to partner with them for different things. And one of the benefits we have, of course, is getting to be model-agnostic in different places,” says Noah Levin, VP of design at Figma. “We use Gemini and Nano Banana for imagery when it makes sense. We’re not in the game of forming one extreme, deep partnership when all of these models excel at different things. And it’s an advantage to not be a model company right now when you can actually just incorporate the pieces that make sense.” Ever since Adobe opted to allow third-party models beyond its homegrown Firefly, you can generate imagery simply by selecting a different AI model like any other traditional Adobe plug-in. In the future, Adobe imagines that its customers will be generating imagery from several different AI models at the same time (much like coders juggle multiple AI agents at once), able to choose whichever option comes out the cleanest. Adobe goes so far as to call itself an AI “model curator.” The rise of the AI curator This point of view marks a fascinating evolution in software development and positioning. In this age of AI, a company like Adobe, once built to be a one-stop shop for production in the Creative Cloud, morphs from a singular titan of industry defined by its own technologies like clone stamping to a multiheaded hydra that might juggle several AI models for you all at once via a unified interface. Adobe becomes more like a retailer you visit because you like their general selection (like Walmart or Target), rather than because they make every product so perfectly themselves (like Muji or Ikea). Alongside Figma and Canva, Adobe’s value is that its own tools are powerful and familiar, sure—and also that Adobe becomes your simplest gateway to using Claude and every other generative AI model out there to ensure you’re always getting the best result. Meanwhile, your frontier model companies, like Anthropic, will still only want to present their own AIs to the public. There’s no feasible future in which Anthropic suddenly includes OpenAI’s latest generative models to run the same prompts with a tap. And so, depending on the angle from which you view this market, no one entity has built the perfect moat. “We designers are loyal to capability. Platforms are interchangeable,” says Natasha Jen, partner at the design consultancy Pentagram. “We’ve seen that over and over, from Quark to InDesign, Freehand to Illustrator, Sketch to Figma. The software you open to make something may stop being the meaningful unit of work. Any company built on selling that unit has a real problem once it dissolves.” However, as much as we’re all experimenting with new AI tools, unless one platform is measurably better, most professionals would rather stay with what’s fast and familiar than deal with the hassle of switching. According to Andy Allen, the designer behind the early hit iPad design tool Paper, who now makes his own craft apps with Not Boring, “the professional software designers I know are much more excited about AI coding tools like Claude Code and Codex [than Claude Design], which are much further along and rapidly moving up the S-curve now in terms of improvement. “Like most AI tools, the capabilities are more aligned with raising the floor for those new to the field rather than the ceiling for pro creators—more iMovie than Final Cut Pro,” he continues. “That should expand the market [as Canva did], but it may not cannibalize the pro tool incumbents so much as limit their growth. All the claims of fields or tools being ‘cooked’ are mostly social engagement bait.” For now, at least. View the full article

Rumination is one of the most overlooked risks to effective leadership. It’s also one of the most common and most contagious. When leaders engage in rumination, it quietly erodes their well-being, judgment, and the psychological climate of their teams. In psychology, rumination refers to repetitive, unwanted, past-centered, and intrusive negative thinking. Unlike self-reflection, which is purposeful and forward-looking, rumination can become a vicious cycle that loops leaders into “What if?” or “Why did I…?” with very little learning in return. I’ve noticed an increasing number of leaders who are particularly prone to rumination. This might come down to the fact that they sit at the intersection of significant responsibility, high visibility, and constant ambiguity. Perfectionism, relentless stressors, and unforeseen challenges can all amplify this. How rumination harms decision-making and health Rumination has a payoff, or else we wouldn’t do it. Overthinking can offer comfort. A constant loop of worry, analysis, replaying details, and playing out possible scenarios can provide our brains a sense of control and purpose at times when life feels devoid of both. For many of us, it evolved as a protective strategy. And yet, that same strategy can ultimately decimate the very qualities we need to cultivate for leading and functioning optimally. Rumination ties up the cognitive resources leaders need most: working memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Work-related rumination can lead to greater exhaustion and poorer psychological well-being over time. This can impair clear thinking and judgment. Physiologically, rumination prevents recovery. Instead of switching off after hours, the nervous system stays in a state of threat. Stress hormones stay elevated, which disrupts your sleep. My own habit of overthinking contributed to my debilitating burnout as a corporate finance lawyer. Relinquishing the habit of rumination and creating a healthier, more balanced relationship with my thoughts has formed an essential aspect of my recovery. The ripple effects on teams and culture The impact of rumination rarely stops at the leader. Its impact on their nervous system creates a micro-stress climate that harms team morale and cohesion. Leaders who are mentally preoccupied struggle to stay grounded in the present moment. Instead, they’re distracted, irritable, or indecisive. This has a deleterious effect on team culture. Over time, this effect shows up in subtle but profound ways. That might look like delayed decisions, constantly revisiting topics, or “parking lot” issues that never actually leave the parking lot. Team members begin to mirror their leader’s hypervigilance and overthinking as a coping mechanism, which reduces risk-taking and innovation. This kind of “affective rumination”—spreading negative stories, replaying injustices, or catastrophizing future scenarios—can dampen productivity. It can also hamper creativity as people spend far more time thinking about (or even just imagining) problems than solving them. At a cultural level, rumination can normalize rehashing and blame. Teams become more cautious, interpersonal tensions linger, and psychological safety declines as people grow fearful of becoming the next trigger. Five ways to break the rumination loop Below are some research-informed strategies designed to help leaders shift thinking style, prioritize well-being, and model healthier habits for their teams. Schedule “worry appointments” with a decision boundary. Set a 10–15 minute block to deliberately think about a sticky issue, write down concrete options, and end with a “next tiny step”. Time-limited, structured worry reduces rumination and supports more solution-focused thinking. Use mindfulness “micro-pauses” to change your relationship with thoughts. Practices like three slow breaths, stretching, shaking out your hands, rolling your shoulders, or doing a short meditation between meetings help you interrupt rumination by shifting attention into physical sensations. Even a few minutes can break the mental pattern and reduce stress and burnout risk. Protect real psychological detachment after hours. Create specific no-work zones and intentionally engage in activities like exercise or hobbies to refuel perspective and cognitive capacities. Use short movement bursts to discharge tension. Stand up and do 2–3 minutes of brisk walking, stair-climbing, or dynamic stretching. Even very brief “micro-bursts” of movement during the workday can lower physical tension and improve cognitive performance, helping you come back to the issue with a calmer mind and a clearer perspective. Normalize “thinking out loud” with trusted others. Share ruminative loops with a coach, mentor or therapist and ask specifically for help distinguishing between reflection and rumination. This can disrupt repetitive patterns and introduce alternative perspectives. Building an anti-rumination culture Leaders who work on letting go of their own rumination habits send a powerful cultural signal. By acknowledging their tendency to ruminate, understanding it as a common stress response, and modeling how to pivot back to action, they give teams the permission to do the same. This might mean simple practices that help reconnect people with their agency, like beginning meetings with “What’s in our control today?” or closing difficult conversations with a brief recap of decisions and next steps to reduce post-meeting mental replay. Organizations can reinforce this by embedding recovery, reflection, and psychological safety into how work gets done. Ensuring realistic workloads, providing access to coaching and evidence-based well-being and mindfulness programs, and training leaders to recognize signs of burnout and chronic overthinking all help reduce the conditions that fuel rumination. Rumination will always be a temptation for conscientious, high-responsibility leaders. But when you leave it unchecked, it quietly undermines the very capabilities that modern leaders and organizations need. And that’s clear thinking, emotional steadiness, and cultures where people feel safe to learn and take risks. Treating rumination not as a personal failing but as a predictable, manageable cognitive pattern is the first step toward leading with more clarity, calm, and collective confidence. View the full article

The top note in a new perfume called Miami Split comes from an unexpected place: a banana processing plant in Ecuador. The fragrance is extracted from banana-scented water, a byproduct of washing fruit, that was previously thrown away. It’s one of the unusual ingredients sourced by Abel Fragrance, a company that avoids using any fossil fuels in its products. Instead, it is looking to biotech to make natural fragrances. Right now, petrochemicals are the status quo in the industry. “Almost all fragrance molecules are synthesized from fossil fuels,” says Frances Shoemack, the brand’s founder. A typical fragrance is made from between a dozen and a few hundred fragrance molecules and more than 95% of those come from crude oil. “They’re cheap and readily scalable, and it’s really what’s kind of created the modern fragrance world,” she adds. The quest for a natural perfumeShoemack, a former winemaker originally from New Zealand, started Abel Fragrance in 2013 after a move to Amsterdam. At the time, she saw natural, more sustainable options for skincare and makeup, but nothing comparable for perfume. “It just started out as a bit of a real search for this product,” she says. “And then a little bit of like, if no one’s doing it, is it something I could do if I find the right people to surround myself with?” Isaac SinclairFrances ShoemackShe partnered with the master perfumer Isaac Sinclair and initially worked only with essential oils, but quickly ran into limitations. Many aren’t long-lasting, and dissipate within hours. They’re difficult to make shelf-stable, without synthetic preservatives like sunscreen. They’re expensive. They’re complex compounds, making them harder to work with in a precise way. The startup team wanted to rethink how natural fragrances are made. Their theory: it should be possible to compete with fossil-based fragrances on performance. A biotech answerAs Shoemack and Sinclair looked at innovation happening in other sectors like food production, they started to find biotech versions of fragrance ingredients. Ambroxin, for example, is a molecule that’s typically made from fossil fuels to replicate ambergris—a rare natural substance that was originally sourced from whales for its warm, woody scent and ability to act as a fixative in perfume. Now, it can also be made in a lab by fermenting plant sugars. The chemical structure of the resulting molecule is the same as the fossil fuel version, but only plants are involved. Right now, Shoemack estimates that there are only around 100 biotech fragrance molecules on the market, compared to thousands of fossil-based molecules that are available. “It’s still expensive, and it’s still early days,” she says. As the war in Iran has pushed up the price of crude oil, though, “that might spur some innovation in this space.” Abel Fragrance also works with isolates—compounds that are extracted and purified from complex mixtures like lavender oil or peppermint oil. And it searches for other unique natural fragrances, like the banana note, which is produced by a company called Symrise. The company developed a low-energy process to extract scents from water, making it possible to have natural fruit scents, like cherry and passionfruit, that couldn’t be made in the past. That natural banana scent isn’t something that could easily be reproduced synthetically. “It’s green and tart and almost kind of pithy, like when you peel back the banana layers,” says Shoemack. “It’s so different to the banana candy note that’s otherwise available.” More creative fragrancesBeyond being more sustainable to produce, it also allows more creativity, she says, since the scent wasn’t otherwise available. “This [scent] literally started with that banana note, like, wow, this is radical,” she says. “How can we make this into a fragrance that is really interesting, exciting, boundary-pushing? It’s this dark, edgy oud fragrance, as opposed to what you would expect, which is bright, creamy, sunny, vanilla-y.” The company also still uses some traditional natural scents, like Atlas Mountain cedarwood, which is harvested from the wild by communities in Morocco. It plans to always use a mix of certain heritage ingredients alongside biotech ingredients that help with longevity and other factors. Technology is at a point now where a bigger shift in the industry could be possible. While the cost of biotech ingredients still needs to come down, “the trajectory is there, and the big players know it,” Shoemack says. “They’re watching this space closely, and from what I can see, the intent to transition is genuine. This isn’t a fringe conversation anymore.” “Biotech is to fragrance what EVs were to the car industry; a fundamental rethinking of where the raw material comes from, and proof that the alternative can actually be better,” she adds. “Not a compromise. Better. That shift in the conversation is enormous. Abel isn’t positioned as a proof of concept, but nor was the goal to be niche for niche’s sake. We’re paving a path forward and I hope the industry will follow suit.” View the full article

“Something is up in academic research,” ​write​ the members of an AI Task Force convened by the journal Organization Science. As they go on to elaborate: “If you are an editor or reviewer at a journal these days, you probably already know this. The manuscripts are arriving in greater volume, with a particular feel that is hard to pin down. On the surface, the papers look the same as ever, but the writing feels weightless in a way that rarely describes academic writing…you find yourself scratching your head at the meaning the words are trying to convey.” The culprit? The task force crunched the numbers and produced a clear answer. Starting in 2023, after ChatGPT became available, the number of submissions to Organization Science rapidly increased. At the same time, the percentage of submissions classified as using minimal AI has plummeted from near 100% down closer to 30%. The impact of this shift on readability has been marked, with scores on a standard “reading ease” metric falling by 1.28 standard deviations between January 2021 and January 2026: “Submissions have become far harder to read,” the Task Force reports. “This is counterintuitive. Most people assume that AI produces cleaner, more polished text. And in some narrow dimensions, it does…but on the measures that capture whether a reader can actually parse and absorb the prose, AI writing is worse…[using] longer words, more complex sentence structures, more jargon, and more nominalizations.” Papers that are more difficult to read might be worth it if AI increased the amount of good science being produced. But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Organization Science is desk-rejecting (e.g., rejecting a paper before even sending it to peer reviewers) nearly 70% of manuscripts that made heavy use of AI. This number drops to 44% for papers written without AI. Similarly, only 3.2% of high-AI papers are ultimately accepted compared to 12% of low-AI papers. (It’s important to note here that the editors making these decisions do not themselves know the role of AI in the paper construction. These are retrospective analyses.) All of this points to a distressing conclusion: generative AI tools are leading to many more poor paper submissions, which are taxing the time and patience of the community tasked with reviewing this research. These tools make individual researchers’ lives easier in the moment (writing is hard!), but they are leading to worse outcomes for the field as a whole. I tell this story because I think it’s a useful cautionary tale about AI. As I’ve been trying to argue from many different angles in recent weeks (e.g., ​1​ ​2​), making things faster or easier is not the same as making things better. Sometimes there really is no shortcut to taking your time. The post Easy is Overrated appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

“Something is up in academic research,” ​write​ the members of an AI Task Force convened by the journal Organization Science. As they go on to elaborate: “If you are an editor or reviewer at a journal these days, you probably already know this. The manuscripts are arriving in greater volume, with a particular feel that is hard to pin down. On the surface, the papers look the same as ever, but the writing feels weightless in a way that rarely describes academic writing…you find yourself scratching your head at the meaning the words are trying to convey.” The culprit? The task force crunched the numbers and produced a clear answer. Starting in 2023, after ChatGPT became available, the number of submissions to Organization Science rapidly increased. At the same time, the percentage of submissions classified as using minimal AI has plummeted from near 100% down closer to 30%. The impact of this shift on readability has been marked, with scores on a standard “reading ease” metric falling by 1.28 standard deviations between January 2021 and January 2026: “Submissions have become far harder to read,” the Task Force reports. “This is counterintuitive. Most people assume that AI produces cleaner, more polished text. And in some narrow dimensions, it does…but on the measures that capture whether a reader can actually parse and absorb the prose, AI writing is worse…[using] longer words, more complex sentence structures, more jargon, and more nominalizations.” Papers that are more difficult to read might be worth it if AI increased the amount of good science being produced. But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Organization Science is desk-rejecting (e.g., rejecting a paper before even sending it to peer reviewers) nearly 70% of manuscripts that made heavy use of AI. This number drops to 44% for papers written without AI. Similarly, only 3.2% of high-AI papers are ultimately accepted compared to 12% of low-AI papers. (It’s important to note here that the editors making these decisions do not themselves know the role of AI in the paper construction. These are retrospective analyses.) All of this points to a distressing conclusion: generative AI tools are leading to many more poor paper submissions, which are taxing the time and patience of the community tasked with reviewing this research. These tools make individual researchers’ lives easier in the moment (writing is hard!), but they are leading to worse outcomes for the field as a whole. I tell this story because I think it’s a useful cautionary tale about AI. As I’ve been trying to argue from many different angles in recent weeks (e.g., ​1​ ​2​), making things faster or easier is not the same as making things better. Sometimes there really is no shortcut to taking your time. The post Easy is Overrated appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

Google Ads will impose new access limits on historical reporting data available to advertisers in the interface and APIs. The post Google Ads Will Limit Access To Older Reporting Data appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

If you filed a tax extension using Form 4868, your federal tax return is due by October 15, except that day falls on a weekend or holiday. It’s essential to recognize that any taxes owed were due back on April 15 to avoid penalties. To guarantee you’re on track, you’ll want to confirm your extension status and check any specific state requirements. Comprehending these deadlines can prevent unexpected issues, so let’s explore how to manage your tax obligations effectively. Key Takeaways Filing a tax extension moves the federal tax return deadline to October 15, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. Taxes owed must be paid by the original deadline of April 15 to avoid penalties and interest. Check for confirmation of your extension status within 24 to 48 hours for online submissions; contact the IRS if no confirmation is received. State tax extensions often require separate applications; verify your state’s specific requirements and deadlines. Prepare your tax return promptly to avoid complications if your extension is rejected or if you miss the October 15 deadline. Understanding Tax Extension Deadlines When you file a tax extension, it’s vital to comprehend the associated deadlines to avoid unnecessary penalties. By submitting a Form 4868 extension, you automatically push your federal tax return deadline to October 15. Nonetheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day. Keep in mind that although you have more time to file, any taxes owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline. To prevent penalties and interest, make certain you submit estimated tax payments by that date, even if you’ve filed for an extension. Furthermore, note that state regulations regarding tax extensions may differ; some states accept the federal extension automatically, while others require separate requests. Always check your state’s specific rules to guarantee compliance and avoid potential issues when filing your return. Comprehending these deadlines is vital for a smooth tax filing experience. Confirming Your Federal Tax Extension Status After comprehending the importance of tax extension deadlines, it’s important to verify your federal tax extension status to confirm you can file your return on time. If you filed a federal tax extension using IRS Form 4868 online, you can expect confirmation of your extension status within 24 to 48 hours. Nevertheless, if you submitted your extension by mail, the IRS doesn’t provide any confirmation, so it’s wise to contact them directly if you haven’t heard back. Remember, even with an extension, any tax payments owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties and interest. Missing the October 15 deadline without a valid extension could lead to further complications, so make sure you confirm your extension status well before that date. Being proactive about your tax obligations can save you from unnecessary stress and financial penalties down the line. Checking Your State Tax Extension Requirements How can you guarantee you’re meeting your state tax extension requirements? First, keep in mind that most states require a separate extension application for state taxes, even if you filed a federal extension using Form 4868. Check your state’s specific rules to see if you need to take action. States like Alabama, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia offer automatic extensions but still require payment by the original April deadline. If you live in a state with no income tax, such as Florida or Texas, there are no extensions or requirements. Some states, like Vermont, need you to file for an extension if you owe taxes, whereas others automatically grant one if no taxes are owed. Always verify your state’s payment deadlines, as these can vary, affecting your overall tax obligations. Staying informed guarantees you meet your state’s requirements without issue. Important Payment Deadlines to Remember Comprehending important payment deadlines is vital for managing your tax obligations effectively. If you filed for a tax extension, keep in mind the original payment deadline for any taxes owed remains April 15. This means you still need to make estimated tax payments by this date to avoid late payment penalties, even if you plan to file Form 4868 online. Late payment penalties accrue at a rate of 0.5% of your unpaid balance each month, potentially reaching a maximum of 25% of the total tax owed. Although your final deadline to submit your tax return after an extension is usually October 15, be mindful that this date may shift if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Furthermore, state tax extension deadlines can vary, so checking your specific state’s requirements is vital to guarantee compliance with all payment deadlines and avoid unnecessary penalties. Consequences of a Rejected Tax Extension Receiving a rejection for your tax extension can lead to significant consequences that you need to address quickly. If your extension is rejected, you must file your tax return by the original deadline to avoid penalties. Here are some vital points to reflect on: The IRS will notify you of the rejection, but lack of confirmation may indicate a problem. Failing to file on time can result in penalties up to 5% of unpaid taxes for each month late, capped at 25%. It’s important to follow up with the IRS if you don’t receive confirmation after mailing form 4868, as grasping your filing status is significant. To mitigate risks, prepare your tax return as soon as possible. Knowing where to send form 4868 can additionally help streamline your process and guarantee compliance with the IRS. Don’t delay—address these issues quickly to avoid further complications. Filing Your Tax Return After an Extension When you’ve filed for a tax extension, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the new deadline for submitting your return is typically October 15, except it falls on a weekend or holiday. Extensions give you extra time to file your return, but any taxes owed must still be paid by the original deadline of April 15 to avoid penalties. If you submitted your 1040 extension form by mail, verify it was postmarked by April 15, as the IRS doesn’t send confirmations for paper submissions. When filing after an extension, consider submitting your tax return electronically, which is often quicker and provides immediate confirmation. If you miss the October 15 deadline, be aware that late filing penalties can accrue at 5% of unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. Timely filing helps you avoid these unnecessary costs. Keeping Track of Your Tax Obligations Keeping track of your tax obligations is essential to avoid penalties and guarantee compliance. Start by marking important deadlines on your calendar, like the original filing date of April 15 and the extended deadline, typically October 15. Important Deadlines Overview Comprehending important tax deadlines is vital for managing your financial obligations effectively. If you filed a tax extension, your new deadline for submitting your federal tax return is usually October 15. Nevertheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it might shift to the next business day. Keep in mind that any taxes owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Here’s a quick overview of key deadlines: April 15: Estimated tax payments and taxes owed are due. October 15: Extended filing deadline for your federal tax return. Check with your state taxing authority for local extension deadlines. Staying organized with a calendar can help you keep track of these vital dates and avoid late fees. Payment vs. Filing Dates Comprehending the distinction between tax payment deadlines and filing dates is vital for avoiding penalties and managing your tax obligations effectively. If you filed for an extension, when are taxes due? The original deadline for tax payment remains April 15, regardless of whether you’ve secured an extension to file your return until October 15. You must still pay any taxes owed by April 15 to prevent penalties. Late payment penalties accrue at 0.5% per month on the unpaid balance, potentially reaching up to 25% of the total tax owed. If you miss the payment deadline, additional interest and penalties will apply, so it’s important to track both the payment and extended filing deadlines to guarantee compliance. Frequently Asked Questions What Day Are My Taxes Due if I Filed an Extension? If you filed for a tax extension, your new deadline to submit your federal tax return is typically October 15. Nevertheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day. Remember, even with an extension, any tax owed must be paid by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Always check your state’s requirements, as they may differ from federal deadlines. How Can I Tell if I Filed an Extension on My Taxes? To determine if you’ve filed an extension on your taxes, start by checking your email for a confirmation message if you e-filed. If you submitted a paper Form 4868, you won’t get a confirmation, so consider contacting the IRS for verification. Remember, extensions filed on time are usually granted. Keep records of any discussions with your tax preparer, as they can likewise help clarify your filing status. How to Look up Tax Extension Status? To look up your tax extension status, you can start by contacting the IRS directly. If you filed electronically, check for an acceptance confirmation within 48 hours. For paper submissions, follow up if you haven’t received a confirmation. Don’t forget to check with your state tax authority for any state extension status. Keep records of all communications to maintain compliance and track your extension request effectively. What Happens if I File Taxes After October 15TH? If you file your taxes after October 15th, you could face significant penalties. You’ll incur a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, up to 25%. Furthermore, interest will accrue on any owed taxes from the original due date. If you delay filing for over 60 days, the minimum penalty increases to $450 or 100% of the unpaid tax, whichever is smaller. Conclusion In conclusion, if you’ve filed a tax extension, keep in mind that your federal return is due by October 15, except it falls on a weekend or holiday. Nonetheless, any taxes owed must still be paid by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Always check your state’s specific requirements, as they may differ. Staying organized and informed about these deadlines helps guarantee you fulfill your tax obligations without incurring unnecessary fees or complications. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "How to Know When Taxes Are Due if You Filed an Extension" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you filed a tax extension using Form 4868, your federal tax return is due by October 15, except that day falls on a weekend or holiday. It’s essential to recognize that any taxes owed were due back on April 15 to avoid penalties. To guarantee you’re on track, you’ll want to confirm your extension status and check any specific state requirements. Comprehending these deadlines can prevent unexpected issues, so let’s explore how to manage your tax obligations effectively. Key Takeaways Filing a tax extension moves the federal tax return deadline to October 15, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. Taxes owed must be paid by the original deadline of April 15 to avoid penalties and interest. Check for confirmation of your extension status within 24 to 48 hours for online submissions; contact the IRS if no confirmation is received. State tax extensions often require separate applications; verify your state’s specific requirements and deadlines. Prepare your tax return promptly to avoid complications if your extension is rejected or if you miss the October 15 deadline. Understanding Tax Extension Deadlines When you file a tax extension, it’s vital to comprehend the associated deadlines to avoid unnecessary penalties. By submitting a Form 4868 extension, you automatically push your federal tax return deadline to October 15. Nonetheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day. Keep in mind that although you have more time to file, any taxes owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline. To prevent penalties and interest, make certain you submit estimated tax payments by that date, even if you’ve filed for an extension. Furthermore, note that state regulations regarding tax extensions may differ; some states accept the federal extension automatically, while others require separate requests. Always check your state’s specific rules to guarantee compliance and avoid potential issues when filing your return. Comprehending these deadlines is vital for a smooth tax filing experience. Confirming Your Federal Tax Extension Status After comprehending the importance of tax extension deadlines, it’s important to verify your federal tax extension status to confirm you can file your return on time. If you filed a federal tax extension using IRS Form 4868 online, you can expect confirmation of your extension status within 24 to 48 hours. Nevertheless, if you submitted your extension by mail, the IRS doesn’t provide any confirmation, so it’s wise to contact them directly if you haven’t heard back. Remember, even with an extension, any tax payments owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties and interest. Missing the October 15 deadline without a valid extension could lead to further complications, so make sure you confirm your extension status well before that date. Being proactive about your tax obligations can save you from unnecessary stress and financial penalties down the line. Checking Your State Tax Extension Requirements How can you guarantee you’re meeting your state tax extension requirements? First, keep in mind that most states require a separate extension application for state taxes, even if you filed a federal extension using Form 4868. Check your state’s specific rules to see if you need to take action. States like Alabama, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia offer automatic extensions but still require payment by the original April deadline. If you live in a state with no income tax, such as Florida or Texas, there are no extensions or requirements. Some states, like Vermont, need you to file for an extension if you owe taxes, whereas others automatically grant one if no taxes are owed. Always verify your state’s payment deadlines, as these can vary, affecting your overall tax obligations. Staying informed guarantees you meet your state’s requirements without issue. Important Payment Deadlines to Remember Comprehending important payment deadlines is vital for managing your tax obligations effectively. If you filed for a tax extension, keep in mind the original payment deadline for any taxes owed remains April 15. This means you still need to make estimated tax payments by this date to avoid late payment penalties, even if you plan to file Form 4868 online. Late payment penalties accrue at a rate of 0.5% of your unpaid balance each month, potentially reaching a maximum of 25% of the total tax owed. Although your final deadline to submit your tax return after an extension is usually October 15, be mindful that this date may shift if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Furthermore, state tax extension deadlines can vary, so checking your specific state’s requirements is vital to guarantee compliance with all payment deadlines and avoid unnecessary penalties. Consequences of a Rejected Tax Extension Receiving a rejection for your tax extension can lead to significant consequences that you need to address quickly. If your extension is rejected, you must file your tax return by the original deadline to avoid penalties. Here are some vital points to reflect on: The IRS will notify you of the rejection, but lack of confirmation may indicate a problem. Failing to file on time can result in penalties up to 5% of unpaid taxes for each month late, capped at 25%. It’s important to follow up with the IRS if you don’t receive confirmation after mailing form 4868, as grasping your filing status is significant. To mitigate risks, prepare your tax return as soon as possible. Knowing where to send form 4868 can additionally help streamline your process and guarantee compliance with the IRS. Don’t delay—address these issues quickly to avoid further complications. Filing Your Tax Return After an Extension When you’ve filed for a tax extension, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the new deadline for submitting your return is typically October 15, except it falls on a weekend or holiday. Extensions give you extra time to file your return, but any taxes owed must still be paid by the original deadline of April 15 to avoid penalties. If you submitted your 1040 extension form by mail, verify it was postmarked by April 15, as the IRS doesn’t send confirmations for paper submissions. When filing after an extension, consider submitting your tax return electronically, which is often quicker and provides immediate confirmation. If you miss the October 15 deadline, be aware that late filing penalties can accrue at 5% of unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. Timely filing helps you avoid these unnecessary costs. Keeping Track of Your Tax Obligations Keeping track of your tax obligations is essential to avoid penalties and guarantee compliance. Start by marking important deadlines on your calendar, like the original filing date of April 15 and the extended deadline, typically October 15. Important Deadlines Overview Comprehending important tax deadlines is vital for managing your financial obligations effectively. If you filed a tax extension, your new deadline for submitting your federal tax return is usually October 15. Nevertheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it might shift to the next business day. Keep in mind that any taxes owed are still due by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Here’s a quick overview of key deadlines: April 15: Estimated tax payments and taxes owed are due. October 15: Extended filing deadline for your federal tax return. Check with your state taxing authority for local extension deadlines. Staying organized with a calendar can help you keep track of these vital dates and avoid late fees. Payment vs. Filing Dates Comprehending the distinction between tax payment deadlines and filing dates is vital for avoiding penalties and managing your tax obligations effectively. If you filed for an extension, when are taxes due? The original deadline for tax payment remains April 15, regardless of whether you’ve secured an extension to file your return until October 15. You must still pay any taxes owed by April 15 to prevent penalties. Late payment penalties accrue at 0.5% per month on the unpaid balance, potentially reaching up to 25% of the total tax owed. If you miss the payment deadline, additional interest and penalties will apply, so it’s important to track both the payment and extended filing deadlines to guarantee compliance. Frequently Asked Questions What Day Are My Taxes Due if I Filed an Extension? If you filed for a tax extension, your new deadline to submit your federal tax return is typically October 15. Nevertheless, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day. Remember, even with an extension, any tax owed must be paid by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Always check your state’s requirements, as they may differ from federal deadlines. How Can I Tell if I Filed an Extension on My Taxes? To determine if you’ve filed an extension on your taxes, start by checking your email for a confirmation message if you e-filed. If you submitted a paper Form 4868, you won’t get a confirmation, so consider contacting the IRS for verification. Remember, extensions filed on time are usually granted. Keep records of any discussions with your tax preparer, as they can likewise help clarify your filing status. How to Look up Tax Extension Status? To look up your tax extension status, you can start by contacting the IRS directly. If you filed electronically, check for an acceptance confirmation within 48 hours. For paper submissions, follow up if you haven’t received a confirmation. Don’t forget to check with your state tax authority for any state extension status. Keep records of all communications to maintain compliance and track your extension request effectively. What Happens if I File Taxes After October 15TH? If you file your taxes after October 15th, you could face significant penalties. You’ll incur a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month your return is late, up to 25%. Furthermore, interest will accrue on any owed taxes from the original due date. If you delay filing for over 60 days, the minimum penalty increases to $450 or 100% of the unpaid tax, whichever is smaller. Conclusion In conclusion, if you’ve filed a tax extension, keep in mind that your federal return is due by October 15, except it falls on a weekend or holiday. Nonetheless, any taxes owed must still be paid by the original April 15 deadline to avoid penalties. Always check your state’s specific requirements, as they may differ. Staying organized and informed about these deadlines helps guarantee you fulfill your tax obligations without incurring unnecessary fees or complications. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "How to Know When Taxes Are Due if You Filed an Extension" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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In an article a couple of weeks ago, I argued that the failure of enterprise AI was not really about enthusiasm, adoption, or even model capability. It was architectural: large language models were never built to run a company. Companies run on memory, context, feedback, and constraints, while LLMs remain, at their core, systems for predicting text. In a second one, I argued that the answer was not “better prompts,” but a deeper shift: from tools to systems, from answers to outcomes, from copilots to systems of action, and from prompts to constraints. Enterprise AI cannot be session-based. It has to remember. That argument now needs a third step, because something important is starting to happen: the systems that are beginning to work in enterprise AI don’t look like better chatbots, better copilots, or even better prompt chains. They look like something else entirely. And if you look closely, the evidence is already there. The shift from tools to systems is no longer theoretical For the last two years, the AI industry has mostly optimized the visible layer: bigger models, better interfaces, more polished copilots, and now, more ambitious agents. But the clearest signals of value are not coming from that visible layer alone: they are coming from organizations that are redesigning workflows, embedding AI into processes, and treating intelligence less like a tool and more like infrastructure. McKinsey’s latest global survey says it plainly: AI use is broad, but most organizations still have not embedded it deeply enough into workflows and processes to create material enterprise-level benefits. It also finds that workflow redesign is one of the strongest contributors to meaningful business impact. That matters because it confirms the core argument of my first two articles: the problem was never just whether models could answer well. The problem was where we were putting them. The organizations getting further are not simply “using more AI.” They are redesigning the company around it. The systems that work don’t start from prompts This is where the real change begins. The most interesting enterprise AI systems emerging today do not start from a prompt in the narrow sense; they start from context: persistent, structured, governed context. Anthropic’s own engineering team now describes context engineering as the natural progression beyond prompt engineering, arguing that the real challenge is no longer just how to phrase instructions, but how to manage the entire context state around the model: system instructions, tools, external data, message history, and environment. That is a profound shift. It means the center of gravity is moving away from “what should I ask the model?” toward “what environment, state, and constraints should the system already know before any question is asked?” Anthropic reinforces the same point in its guidance for long-running agents, where it emphasizes environment management and the need to set up future agents with the context they will need to work effectively across multiple windows and longer time horizons. This is starting to get close to what my previous two pieces were getting at. A company is not a session: it is an evolving system with memory. Enterprise AI that keeps rebuilding context from scratch is already starting from the wrong premise. The biggest change is not intelligence. It’s disappearance This is the part many people still miss. The next phase of enterprise AI will not necessarily be defined by systems that feel more obviously intelligent. It will be defined by systems that feel less visible. When intelligence is embedded into workflows, linked to systems of record, aligned with rules, and continuously updated by outcomes, it stops behaving like a separate layer that users “go to.” It becomes part of how the organization itself works. Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index points in that direction when it argues that companies are moving from rigid org charts toward more dynamic, outcome-driven “work charts,” powered by humans and agents working together around goals rather than functions. That is not just a statement about new tools. It is a statement about a new organizational substrate. Accenture is making a similar argument from a different angle, describing AI as something that is beginning to flatten structures and create more adaptive, self-organizing forms of work rather than simply bolting intelligence onto old hierarchies. So the deepest shift is not that the models are getting smarter. It is that intelligence is starting to disappear into the fabric of the company. Why copilots and agents were always transitional None of this means the last wave was irrelevant. Copilots, assistants, and agents were important transitional forms. They made AI tangible. They taught people how to interact with these systems. They helped organizations discover use cases. But they also anchored the conversation at the interface layer. That was always going to be temporary. A copilot suggests. An agent can plan and execute. But a company requires continuity, coordination, governance, permissions, risk thresholds, and feedback loops. That is why so many current implementations still feel impressive in demos and frustrating in operations. The intelligence is visible, but the architecture underneath remains thin. That pattern now shows up not only in the earlier MIT-related failure analyses I cited before, but also in more recent work from McKinsey and Deloitte, both of which point to the same issue: layering AI onto legacy workflows is not enough; organizations have to redesign operations and architectures around it. Deloitte puts it bluntly in its recent agentic AI strategy: many enterprises are hitting a wall because they are trying to automate processes designed for humans instead of reimagining the work itself. Its conclusion is almost identical to the one we’ve been building: value comes from redesigning operations and building agent-compatible architectures, not layering agents onto old workflows. The real architecture shift is already underway This is why I think this third article has to say something stronger than “we need better systems.” It has to posit that those systems are already beginning to emerge. Look at where the energy is going. Anthropic is writing about context engineering and long-running agent harnesses. IBM is writing about context engineering for trusted agentic AI, stressing that enterprises need lineage, provenance, auditability, runtime governance, and the ability to inspect and redirect agents in motion. McKinsey is finding that the organizations getting the most value are the ones redesigning workflows, embedding AI in processes, and building management practices around validation, governance, data, and operating models. Microsoft is explicitly describing a move toward firms built around intelligence on tap, human-agent teams, and dynamic operating structures rather than static hierarchies. Deloitte is warning that many agentic implementations are stalling because legacy systems cannot support modern AI execution demands and because enterprises are still trying to automate the wrong things. These are not random observations. They all point in the same direction: the architecture shift is no longer hypothetical. The real divide will not be “uses AI” versus “doesn’t use AI” That divide is already meaningless. McKinsey’s data shows that nearly nine out of ten organizations are using AI in at least one business function, yet most are still in experimentation or pilot mode, and only about one-third report that they have begun to scale their AI programs. In other words, usage is widespread, but transformation remains uneven. So the meaningful divide is becoming something else entirely: it is the divide between companies that treat AI as a visible tool layer and companies that treat it as a systemic capability. One group will continue to generate outputs. The other will begin to change outcomes. One will keep adding assistants and interfaces. The other will embed memory, constraints, workflow logic, and learning into the operating core of the organization. That is the discontinuity my previous article was already pointing toward. And when that discontinuity becomes visible, it will probably feel sudden, even if the groundwork has been building quietly for months. The moment it becomes visible, it won’t look like progress It will look like something else. MIT Sloan has been arguing that leaders need to rethink how they manage people, processes, and projects around AI rather than simply add the technology to existing routines. Its framing is revealing: the real challenge is organizational redesign, not just access to models. That is why the next winners in enterprise AI may not look, from the outside, like companies with the fanciest assistant or the most visibly “AI-powered” products. They may look like companies whose internal systems have quietly become more adaptive, more context-aware, more constraint-sensitive, and more capable of acting coherently across functions. In other words, when enterprise AI finally works, it will not feel like another tool adoption cycle. It will feel like the company itself just got smarter. The future of enterprise AI is not something you use. It’s something your company becomes. That is the shift my first two pieces were already preparing: the first established that LLMs were never enterprise architecture. The second argued that enterprise AI must move from tools to systems. The next step is clear, since this transition is no longer theoretical: the evidence across research, consulting practice, vendor engineering, and organizational design all suggests that the real frontier lies several layers deeper than the chatbot. And when that layer becomes visible, it will not look like better prompts, better copilots, or better demos. It will look like a different kind of company. View the full article

A few weeks ago, I stood on a stage at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), looking out at the Class of 2026. The air was thick with a very modern kind of tension. While previous generations might have experienced the standard “graduation jitters,” what I saw was something far more intense: a profound sense of confusion and chaos. I was there to help them decode it. For the past four years, these students have been caught in a crossfire of conflicting narratives. On one side is the traditional establishment promising that a degree is a golden ticket to a linear, predictable path. On the other is a loud, disruptive chorus telling them that in the age of Artificial Intelligence, their education is a map to a world that no longer exists. As someone who helped scale a global workforce from 50,000 to 100,000 employees at Tesla and led talent engagement at Handshake, I’m here to tell the Class of 2026 that both stories are wrong. If you enter this labor market waiting for a “path” to reveal itself, you’ve already lost. To win in this environment, you have to stop being a “passenger” and start being the strategic navigator. Let’s be honest about the shift: AI will inevitably dismantle specific roles. It is already automating the rote, execution-heavy tasks that used to define the “entry-level” experience. But while technology can replace a job, it cannot replace a career. Your degree is the internal GPS of your professional life. It is proof of your structural agility. But to thrive, you must master high-velocity navigation in a workplace where the roads are being re-routed in real time. The Immediate Pivot: Recalibrating Your Signal Your first task is to stop treating your degree as a static credential and start treating it as your navigational foundation. In the 2026 economy, the specific “facts” you learned in 2022 are already being challenged by faster algorithms. You must identify the structural agility your degree gave you: the proven ability to synthesize chaos, meet deadlines, and learn at high speed. When you enter an interview chat room, do not lead with what you know; lead with how you find and solve problems. The “entry-level” label is now a trap. In a world of generative AI, there is no longer a slow “training period.” You are expected to deliver value on Day One. You must arrive with a “Day One” mindset already looking past your assigned tasks to the strategic roadblocks the company hasn’t cleared yet. To navigate the current chaos, you must be the person who adds a new sense of direction to the room. The Invaluable Compass of the Liberal Arts If you are a Liberal Arts major (or minor), do not let the tech-heavy headlines make you feel like you’ve been left behind. In a world where anyone can generate content with a prompt, the person who understands the context of that content is the one who leads.The Liberal Arts provide exactly what AI lacks: contextual empathy and ethical judgment. The ability to read a room, understand human history, and communicate with nuance is your greatest competitive advantage. When AI produces a data set, the Liberal Arts graduate knows why those numbers matter to the humans on the other side of the screen. These aren’t “soft skills.”They are your most resilient navigational assets. The 5-Point Strategy for High-Velocity Navigation 1. Position AI as Your Strategic Partner Stop asking if AI will replace you; ask how it will expand your reach. AI is not your replacement; it is your partner in execution. Use these tools to 10x your research and synthesis so you can spend your energy on high-level strategy. If you aren’t using AI to automate the mundane, you are wasting the human potential you spent four years developing. Let the machine handle the volume so you can handle the value. 2. Leverage Your EQ for Essential Context AI is mathematically brilliant but emotionally bankrupt. It can generate a strategy, but it cannot provide the necessary human context to get a project over the finish line. Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) will power your ability to build trust and navigate conflict. Your EQ is the ultimate career stabilizer. Leverage your EQ to provide the context that data alone cannot. In a crisis, people don’t look to algorithms; they look to leaders who understand the human stakes. 3. Master the Art of Real-Time, In-Person Connection In a world increasingly mediated by screens, the ability to connect human-to-human, in person and in real time, is a superpower. You must get good at this. The most important professional breakthroughs don’t happen in a Slack thread; they happen in the hallway, over coffee, and in the “meeting after the meeting.”You need to build a personal board of directors, mentors and sponsors, and you must cultivate those relationships through real, physical presence. In-person influence is a skill; nurture it early and often. 4. Become the Chief Problem Solver Look beyond your job description to identify friction points within the organization. A “new hire” waits for a task; a “problem solver” identifies a bottleneck and presents a solution before they are asked. Being the person who can translate technical insights into a work-ready fix is the definition of a modern leader. 5. “Back-cast” Your 12-Month Leap The career ladder is a relic of a slower time. Instead of looking at a vague five-year plan, set an audacious vision for what you want to learn in the next 12 months and “back-cast” the steps to get there. What skills do you need to acquire? Who do you need to know? What problems do you need to solve to prove you belong at the next level? High-velocity growth comes from moving multi-dimensionally at a speed traditional systems aren’t built to handle. The Final Word The chaos of 2026 isn’t a signal to slow down; it’s a signal to accelerate. The AI era isn’t coming for your passion, your judgment, or your leadership. It’s only coming for those who refuse to evolve beyond an “entry-level” mindset. Don’t let the noise about “obsolete degrees” make you passive. Your education gave you the GPS. Now, I am calling on you to drive. Own your career, create your own path. Employee + Entrepreneur x Influencer? That’s a Tuesday for you. Do not let anyone diminish what you have accomplished by earning your degree. You’re on the right track. Keep Progressing, Valerie View the full article

AI is transforming the world of work—and many people are unhappy about that fact. KPMG’s 2025 American Worker Survey found that 52% of workers worry that AI will take their jobs, with that figure rising to 60% for Gen Z. A recent report by the AI firm Writer found that almost a third of employees report sabotaging their company’s efforts towards AI transformation. There are few, if any, parallels for this level of resistance to the adoption of a technology in the modern workplace. Yet most businesses that fail to adapt to the emergence of AI will soon find themselves out of business altogether. In early 2023, Eric Vaughan, CEO of the enterprise software company IgniteTech, decided that generative AI was an existential threat and that his entire organization needed to transform or it would die. He dedicated 20% of payroll to AI training, reimbursed employees for tools they purchased themselves, brought in outside experts, and instituted “AI Mondays”—a mandate that every employee, across every function, should spend one full day per week working exclusively on AI projects. The result was resistance rather than radical adoption. People refused to use the new tech, skipped out on training sessions, and even deliberately sabotaged the company’s AI transformation efforts. Vaughan’s response was to largely abandon the idea of transforming the existing workforce. It turned out that “changing minds was harder than adding skills,” so Vaughn began a program aimed at building a new workforce that was more amenable to AI. Within a year, IgniteTech had replaced nearly 80% of its staff. On one level, this scorched-earth policy seems to have worked. IgniteTech has since developed new products, completed a major acquisition, and posted operating margins that are rare in the software industry. Vaughan has said he would do it all again. But consider what success required. Vaughan’s inability to successfully deliver a cultural transformation to match the technological one meant he was left with no option but to gut his company and rebuild it, with all the inefficiencies and financial and human costs that strategy involves. There are smoother, more efficient routes to success in the AI future. The 90-day plan below offers one path forward. The 90-Day Plan Days 1-30: Diagnose The goal of this phase is to understand your existing culture in terms of its day-to-day employee experience, because that’s where the AI transformation will ultimately succeed or fail. 1. Surface the gap between stated and lived culture. Every organization has a stated culture—the values on the wall, the mission on the website, the language used in leadership communications. Every organization also has a lived culture—what actually happens in meetings, how decisions really get made, the behaviors that are rewarded on the ground. Use a combination of employee listening, direct observations, and one-to-one conversations between senior leaders and workers to map the gap. 2. Assess psychological safety with rigor. Use validated instruments to measure psychological safety at the team level. Pockets of low safety are where your AI initiatives will fail first. Identify them and prioritize them. 3. Audit the signals employees actually receive. Are employees who experiment rewarded or subtly punished? Are the people who raised concerns about risk listened to or sidelined? Did the last layoff protect the employees most likely to help the organization adapt, or did it hit them hardest? These signals shape behavior much more than any pronouncements about culture ever could. 4. Map the informal power structure. Every organization has an official org chart and a shadow hierarchy of people whose opinions shape how colleagues interpret leadership’s actions. In a well-functioning culture change effort, these people become the most important accelerators of the transformation. In a dysfunctional one, they become the most effective blockers. You cannot succeed without engaging them explicitly and early. 5. Have the conversation about AI fears. Ask employees directly: What do they fear about AI in this organization? What do they believe leadership is not telling them? What would have to be true for them to trust the strategy? The fears that are never surfaced are the ones that most powerfully shape behavior—and no cultural system can be redesigned around forces that leadership refuses to acknowledge. For a deeper look at why cultural change exhausts organizations and what to do about it, see How to beat change fatigue. Days 31-60: Rewire Now that the system is mapped, the focus moves to changing it. This phase targets the specific mechanisms—signals, structures, and conversations—that transform culture. 1. Change what gets rewarded. Culture is downstream of incentives. Redesign performance evaluations and recognition to visibly value the behaviors that an AI-ready culture requires. Reward experiments run, failures named and learned from, knowledge shared across teams, psychological safety built. The changes do not have to be huge but they do have to be visible and consistent enough that staff can see that the rules have really changed. 2. Make experimentation safe and cheap. Create structures that make it easy for employees to run small AI experiments without bureaucratic friction. Provide access to sandboxed environments, a defined approval pathway for low-risk experimentation, and a small pool of discretionary funding. If your current system requires a business case and three levels of approval before someone can test an AI tool on a real workflow, it is not ready for AI. 3. Redesign meetings as the cultural operating system. Meetings are where culture is reinforced or broken every single day. Audit your most important recurring meetings. Do they reward the person with the most confident opinion or the person who has actually learned something? Do they create space for dissent or shut it down? Small, deliberate changes to meeting design—who speaks first, how disagreement is handled, whether learning is surfaced alongside results—produce outsized cultural shifts. 4. Protect the truth-tellers. In every organization managing a transformation, someone is raising hard truths that leadership does not want to hear. How those people are treated is the single most important signal of whether the culture is actually changing. If they are visibly valued, protected, and listened to, the culture shifts. If they are sidelined, every employee watching will learn that the lesson and the culture will inevitably revert to its past state. 5. Communicate honestly about the workforce transition. The defining question in most employees’ minds is what AI means for their job. Vague reassurance about augmentation over replacement fools no one. Specific, honest communication about what is changing, which roles are being redefined, who is being reskilled, how affected employees will be supported, and what the organization commits to is what builds trust. 6. Create cross-functional working sessions. AI-ready cultures are built on cross-functional collaboration—data teams, business teams, security, legal, and frontline operators working together on problems that none of them could solve alone. Stand up regular working sessions that force this collaboration at the practitioner level: joint problem-solving on active AI projects, monthly sharing sessions where teams present what they have tried and what they have learned, quarterly retrospectives that bring diverse functions to the same table. These are not leadership review meetings. They are the sessions where the people doing the work will build the shared understanding and mutual trust that AI deployment demands. For more on why AI readiness requires organizational redesign rather than individual training, see What AI Reskilling Really Requires. Days 61-90: Embed Energy fades. Attention moves on. The system snaps back to its defaults. This phase is about building the mechanisms that prevent reversion. The goal is to ensure that your cultural changes survive their first real stress test. 1. Celebrate the new behaviors. Identify the teams and individuals who are modeling the culture the organization is trying to build. Make their stories visible—the team that ran an experiment and openly shared what failed, the manager who protected time for learning even when delivery pressure was intense. The stories you choose to tell become the culture you build. 2. Address the blockers openly. Every organization has senior people whose daily behavior is incompatible with the culture it says it wants. By Day 75, you will know who they are. Ignoring these behaviors sends an unmissable cultural signal—one that tells every employee watching that the stated values do not really matter. The organizations that confront these situations directly earn the credibility that will allow them to keep pushing the culture forward. 3. Measure and publish the culture metrics. Track the indicators you diagnosed in Phase 1 on a defined cadence. Publish the results internally. When culture becomes something the organization looks at the same way it looks at revenue or attrition, it starts to get managed with the same rigor. 4. Make culture a question in every AI decision. When a major AI initiative is reviewed, you should always ask: What is this doing to our culture? Is this deployment building organizational capability and trust, or is it eroding both? Is the way we are implementing this consistent with the culture we say we want, or are we sacrificing the culture to hit the timeline? These questions, asked consistently over time, are what prevent transformation from hollowing out the organization from the inside. 5. Iterate. By Day 90, you have data. Use it to design the next cycle. Double down on what is working, redesign what isn’t, and confront what needs confronting. For more on designing organizational systems around real human needs, see What is human-centric design, and why does it matter? Conclusion Eric Vaughan decided that cultural transformation was too hard, opting to replace most of his company’s staff instead. In some circumstances, that can be a viable strategy. But it is an extremely risky one. Replacing 80% of a workforce effectively ends the previous company and builds a new one from scratch. This process is both inefficient and expensive, gambling with the organization’s institutional knowledge, client relationships, and operational continuity. It is far better to drive a successful cultural transformation that brings your people with you. The 90-day plan outlined above will not complete your cultural transformation. But it will diagnose the system you are actually working with, rewire the mechanisms that shape behavior, and embed the structures that prevent backsliding. The organizations that make these practices permanent will not need to choose between their workforce and their future success. They will have built the capacity to advance both together. View the full article

“Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by U.S. adults,” associate professor of neurology Adam de Havenon of the Yale School of Medicine has reported. A 2025 Yale Study, authored by de Havenon, found an alarming increase in self-reported cognitive disability, particularly among adults ages 18 to 34. The younger cohort rate nearly doubled over a decade—from 5.1% in 2013 to 9.7% in 2023—driving most of the overall increase. By comparison, the rate among adults overall increased more modestly from 5.3% to 7.4% over the same period. The study tracked 4.5 million adults over 10 years. Is there a youth dementia epidemic? While the findings are a cause for concern, they do not necessarily suggest an emerging dementia epidemic. “This isn’t a diagnosis of dementia or even of cognitive impairment,” de Havenon explained. “It’s a subjective report of people saying they’re having serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. With dementia, there’s a structural brain disease and a specific pathology that’s injuring the brain and leading to cognitive impairment.” That said, the Yale study notes that these findings should be investigated further, “as growing cognitive problems among the population can pose future healthcare and workplace consequences.” Because participants in the Yale study have not had their brains scanned, there’s no way of knowing yet if they display the structural brain changes associated with dementia. Further research would be needed to determine if there is a link between early self-reported cognitive decline and the structural brain changes associated with dementia. But if such a link is established, it would pose a significant economic cost; a study published in Frontiers in Neurology notes that dementia cost the global economy $1.3 trillion in 2019. That’s what makes research in treating dementia—from behavioral interventions to anti-inflammatory nasal spray—so important. The Yale study also found a connection to socioeconomic factors among the participants, which demonstrates that the difficulties “may be becoming more widespread, especially among younger adults, and that social and structural factors likely play a key role.” Is technology to blame? While de Havenon’s report might have relied on subjective self-reporting, other studies support his findings. Earlier this year, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath provided written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, noting that “over the past two decades, the cognitive development of children across much of the developed world has stalled and, in many domains, reversed,” Horvath wrote. Rather, he blamed federal policy that “continues to incentivize large-scale digital adoption without demanding independent efficacy evidence, privacy protections, and developmental safeguards,” which “risks compounding long-term educational and workforce harm.” For two decades, state governments have invested in providing students with laptops and tablets, digitizing classroom functions, and making Gen Z a beta test for a digital-first generation. The result? Despite having unprecedented access to information from an early age, Gen Z has become the first generation to score lower on standardized tests than previous generations. Undoing decades’ worth of damage Horvath says the fix is not about “rejecting technology,” but “a question of aligning educational tools with how human learning actually works. Evidence indicates that indiscriminate digital expansion has weakened learning environments rather than strengthened them.” In a 2026 world, fully rejecting technology has become largely unrealistic, but scientists are increasingly exploring how to undo the psychological and cognitive damage. Inc. has previously reported on a large study that followed more than 400 adults over a 14-day period as they used an app called Freedom, which essentially turns smartphones into dumb phones. Functionally, the app blocks internet access and removes browsing and social media apps, but still allows for calls and texts. The results were striking. By cutting constant digital stimulation—reducing daily screen time to under three hours—participants “showed measurable improvements in sustained attention, mental health, and overall well-being. The gains in focus were particularly notable—equivalent, the researchers said, to reversing about a decade of age-related cognitive decline,” Inc. wrote. —Victoria Salves, Editorial Fellow This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister website, Inc.com. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

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Regarding federal taxes, comprehending the different types can help you grasp how government funding works. Individual income tax, corporate income tax, payroll tax, and capital gains tax are just a few key components. Each tax serves a specific purpose, contributing to overall revenue. As you explore these categories, you’ll uncover how each one impacts your financial responsibilities and the nation’s economy. What other tax categories might influence your situation? Key Takeaways The federal tax system primarily includes individual income tax, corporate income tax, payroll taxes, capital gains tax, and excise taxes. Individual income tax is progressive, with rates from 10% to 37%, and includes a standard deduction for filers. Corporate income tax is levied at a flat rate of 21% on C corporations’ profits, with large corporations facing a minimum tax of 15%. Payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare, with a combined rate of 15.3% on wages, subject to specific limits. Excise taxes are applied to specific goods like gasoline and tobacco, while customs duties tax imported products. Overview of Tax Types The federal tax system in the United States is a complex framework designed to generate revenue for government operations and services. In FY2023, about 49% of federal revenue comes from individual income tax, which is the largest source. There are approximately 150 million taxpayers in the U.S., all contributing to this vital funding. Federal taxes types include corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, capital gains taxes, and excise taxes. Corporate income taxes contribute around 9% of total revenue, taxed at a flat rate of 21%. Payroll taxes, significant for Social Security and Medicare, account for 36% of revenue, levied at rates of 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. Capital gains taxes apply to profits from investments, with rates varying based on income brackets. Finally, excise taxes target specific goods, providing a smaller but variable share of federal collections. Individual Income Tax Individual income tax plays a pivotal role in the federal tax system, representing nearly half of the government’s revenue. This progressive tax system in the U.S. has federal marginal tax rates ranging from 10% to 37%, determined by your taxable income. In FY2023, it’s projected to generate about $2.2 trillion, making it one of the largest revenue sources for the federal government. Taxable income is calculated as Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) minus deductions, with the bulk of income, around 65%, coming from wages and salaries in 2024. As taxpayers, you can choose between a standard deduction or itemizing deductions, with the 2024 standard deduction set at $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. Furthermore, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) may apply to you if you have high deductions and credits, ensuring you pay a minimum level of tax regardless of your claimed deductions. Corporate Income Tax When you think about corporate income tax, it’s crucial to understand that it targets the profits of C corporations at a flat rate of 21%. This tax structure doesn’t vary based on profit levels, meaning all taxable income faces the same rate. Furthermore, corporations can deduct certain business expenses, which can help reduce their overall tax burden considerably. Tax Rate Structure Grasping the tax rate structure for corporate income tax is essential for comprehending how businesses contribute to federal revenues. In the U.S., corporations face a flat tax rate of 21% on taxable income, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. Unlike individuals, corporate tax rates don’t change with income brackets; all corporate earnings are taxed uniformly. You should also be aware that corporations can deduct business expenses, which can lower their taxable income considerably. Certain large corporations, earning over $1 billion, are subject to a minimum tax of 15% under the Inflation Reduction Act. Comprehending this structure helps clarify what taxation means and what taxes are used for in funding government services. Impact on Businesses Grasping the impact of corporate income tax on businesses is crucial for comprehending how these taxes affect operations and financial strategies. The corporate income tax (CIT) imposes a flat rate of 21% on taxable income for C corporations, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This tax can greatly influence how many taxpayers are in the U.S., as corporations can deduct business expenses, lowering their tax liability. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act set a minimum 15% tax for large corporations, ensuring they pay a fair share. Corporate income tax revenue contributed about 9% of total federal revenue in FY2023. Comprehending taxation meaning helps clarify that the IRS is federal, not state, impacting businesses nationwide. Payroll Tax Payroll taxes play a vital role in funding Social Security and Medicare, which provide fundamental benefits to many Americans. You’ll notice that both employers and employees share this tax burden, each contributing a flat rate of 7.65% of wages, up to a certain limit. Comprehending the structure and impact of payroll taxes can help you better grasp how they affect your income and overall financial situation. Purpose of Payroll Tax Even though you mightn’t think much about it during payday, payroll taxes play an essential role in funding fundamental government programs like Social Security and Medicare. They account for a combined rate of 15.3%, with 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, impacting many of the 157 million taxpayers in the United States of America. Here are some key purposes of payroll taxes: Funding Social Security: Provides retirement benefits for workers. Supporting Medicare: Guarantees healthcare for seniors and certain disabled individuals. Regressive Nature: Disproportionately affects low to moderate-income earners. Unemployment Insurance: Employers likewise contribute for unemployment benefits, helping those in need. Many individuals may pay payroll taxes without a federal income tax liability, making them essential for government revenue. Tax Rate Structure Comprehending the tax rate structure for payroll taxes is important for grasping how these contributions impact your earnings. In the U.S., the combined payroll tax rate stands at 15.3%, which includes 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. Social Security taxes apply only to wages up to $168,600 for 2024, whereas Medicare taxes have no wage limit. If you earn over $200,000, an additional 0.9% Medicare tax kicks in, further increasing your payroll tax burden. Many low and moderate-income earners end up paying a higher percentage of their income in payroll taxes than wealthier individuals. Comprehending how many taxpayers are there in the U.S. helps contextualize the impact of these payroll taxes on the overall workforce. Impact on Income Grasping the impact of payroll taxes on your income is crucial for managing your finances effectively. Payroll taxes, primarily for Social Security and Medicare, total 15.3% of your earnings. Here are some key points to reflect on: The Social Security tax applies to income up to $168,600 for 2024. Payroll taxes are regressive, affecting low and moderate-income earners more heavily. These taxes are automatically deducted from your paycheck, with employers matching contributions. Many individuals may pay payroll taxes without owing income tax, highlighting their importance. With approximately 164 million taxpayers in the U.S., comprehending payroll taxes helps you realize who taxpayers in the USA are and how these contributions support critical social programs. Capital Gains Tax Have you ever wondered how the capital gains tax affects your investments? This tax is imposed on profits made from selling capital assets, like stocks and real estate. The rate you pay depends on how long you held the asset. If you hold an asset for longer than a year, it qualifies for long-term capital gains tax, which is taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, based on your income bracket. Conversely, if you sell an asset held for one year or less, it’s taxed as ordinary income, subject to your regular tax rates. Moreover, you can offset capital gains with any capital losses incurred during the same tax year, potentially lowering your taxable income. In 2024, individuals with taxable income up to $44,625 (single) or $89,250 (married filing jointly) may even qualify for the 0% capital gains tax rate, making it advantageous to plan your sales strategically. Property Taxes Property taxes play a vital role in funding local governments, as they provide significant revenue for fundamental services like education and public safety. You’ll find that property tax rates and assessment methods vary widely, affecting how much you pay based on your property’s market value. Furthermore, it’s important to take into account the regressive nature of property taxes, which can impact lower-income households disproportionately. Property Tax Calculation Methods Comprehension of how property taxes are calculated is crucial for homeowners and potential buyers alike. Here’s a breakdown of the calculation methods: Fair Market Value: Local governments assess the fair market value of real estate, usually on an annual basis. Assessment Rate: The assessed value is then multiplied by the local property tax rate, which can vary from 0.2% to 1.9%. Additional Taxes: Local governments may impose extra taxes for specific needs, like funding schools, impacting overall tax rates. Exemptions: Homeowners may qualify for exemptions, such as homestead exemptions, which lower the taxable property value and eventually reduce tax liabilities. Understanding these components can help you better plan for property ownership costs. Local Government Funding Sources Local governments rely heavily on various funding sources to support their operations, and property taxes play a significant role in this framework. These taxes are levied based on the fair market value of real estate, calculated by multiplying the local property tax rate by the property’s assessed value. In the U.S., property taxes account for over 30% of state and local tax collections, making them a fundamental revenue source. Rates can vary widely, from 0.2% to 1.9% of assessed value, depending on the jurisdiction. Local governments utilize this revenue to fund indispensable public services like education, transportation, and public safety, ensuring community needs are met. Comprehending property taxes is imperative for recognizing how local funding operates. Regressive Tax Implications Even though many people may not realize it, the structure of property taxes can create significant regressive tax implications. These taxes often burden lower-income households disproportionately, as they pay a higher percentage of their income compared to wealthier individuals. Here are some key points to take into account: Property taxes are based on real estate value, not income, making them blind to a taxpayer’s financial situation. Rates vary widely, ranging from 0.2% to 1.9%, affecting low and moderate-income families’ affordability. Reliance on property taxes can lead to unequal public service funding, with wealthier areas generating more revenue. Fixed incomes make it harder for some individuals to bear the tax burden, exacerbating financial strain. Understanding these implications is vital for evaluating tax fairness. Estate and Inheritance Taxes When someone passes away, their estate may be subject to federal estate taxes, which are levied on the fair market value of the estate before any distribution to beneficiaries occurs. In 2023, only estates valued over $12.92 million are taxed. In addition, inheritance taxes, which vary by state, are paid by beneficiaries on the amount they inherit and can range from 0% to over 16%. Type of Tax Key Detail Estate Tax Imposed on estates exceeding $12.92 million Inheritance Tax Varies by state, paying rates from 0% to 16% Exemptions Transfers to spouse or charity are exempt Seventeen states and the District of Columbia enforce these taxes, bringing complexity into estate planning as valuations must be submitted within nine months of death, often needing professional help. Sales Taxes As you consider the various forms of taxation, sales taxes represent a significant aspect of the tax terrain in the United States. These consumption taxes are imposed on the retail sales of goods and services, with rates that can vary from 0% to 16%, depending on where you are. Here are some key points to understand about sales taxes: They account for about 30% of state tax collections, providing crucial revenue for state and local governments. Many states offer exemptions for specific items, like groceries and prescription medications, which can differ widely. Sales tax is applied only at the point of sale to the final consumer, avoiding the tax pyramiding seen in value-added taxes. Businesses can deduct previously paid sales taxes on their purchases when calculating their own tax liabilities. Understanding these factors can help you navigate sales taxes effectively. Excise Taxes Excise taxes are targeted levies applied to specific goods and activities, such as gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco, making them a distinct category of taxation. Often labeled as “sin taxes,” these are imposed on products that can have negative health or social impacts. You mightn’t notice these taxes separately on your receipts, as they’re typically included in the product price. The federal government sets varying rates, such as 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and $1.01 per pack for cigarettes. Excise taxes can likewise function as user fees, with revenue often directed to specific programs like the Highway Trust Fund to support transportation infrastructure. Unlike sales taxes, which are based on retail prices, excise taxes apply to quantity or specific criteria, which can lead to tax pyramiding when products are taxed at multiple production and sale stages. Customs Duties Customs duties, often referred to as tariffs, play a crucial role in the U.S. tax system by imposing taxes on imported goods. These duties vary based on the product type and country of origin, impacting both consumers and businesses. Here are some key points to understand: Rate Range: Customs duties can range from 0% to over 20%, depending on specific trade agreements and classifications under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Revenue Contribution: In FY2023, customs duties accounted for approximately $100 billion of federal revenue, making them a significant source of income for the government. Trade Negotiations: The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) negotiates agreements that can influence customs duty rates, affecting international trade dynamics. Domestic Protection: Customs duties likewise serve to protect domestic industries by raising the cost of imported goods, encouraging consumers to choose local products. Understanding customs duties helps you grasp their impact on the economy and international trade. Wealth Taxes As customs duties focus on taxing imports to shape trade and protect domestic industries, wealth taxes target individuals with substantial assets, aiming to address disparities in wealth distribution. Unlike income taxes that tax earnings, wealth taxes are assessed on an individual’s total asset value, including real estate, stocks, and personal property. In the U.S., wealth taxes are less common compared to other countries, with only a few states implementing them, each with different rates and exemptions. Recently, the idea of wealth taxes has gained traction as a way to combat income inequality and fund public services. Nonetheless, critics argue they can drive capital flight, discourage investment, and create administrative challenges, making them politically divisive. Tax Administration Tax administration in the United States is primarily managed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws across the country. Here are some key aspects of how it operates: Filing Deadline: Taxpayers must file their federal income tax returns by April 15 each year, with extensions available until October 15, though taxes owed must still be paid by the original deadline. Progressive Tax System: The IRS employs a progressive tax system, with individual income taxes calculated based on brackets ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on income level. Audit Methods: The IRS uses various methods to audit taxpayers, including computer-generated programs that analyze returns for discrepancies. Penalties: Taxpayers face penalties for late filing or payment, which can amount to 5% of the unpaid tax for each month it remains unpaid, capping at 25%. Special Tax Provisions Special tax provisions play a crucial role in shaping the overall tax terrain in the United States, influencing how individuals and businesses manage their financial obligations. For instance, if you’re a non-resident citizen, you’re taxed on your worldwide income, but you can exclude the first $120,000 of foreign earned income from taxation. Nevertheless, the SALT deduction limit, capped at $10,000, disproportionately affects you if you’re a medium or high earner in states with high tax rates. Moreover, the G7 agreement exempts the U.S. from the new 15% minimum corporate tax rate, which affects multinational tax strategies. The proposed retaliatory tax could impose extra taxes on entities from countries with unfair tax practices. Finally, provisions like the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) can increase your tax liability if you claim significant deductions and credits, complicating your overall tax situation. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Three Major Types of Federal Taxes? The three major types of federal taxes are individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, and payroll taxes. Individual income taxes are based on earnings, with rates ranging from 10% to 37%. Corporate income taxes apply a flat 21% rate on businesses’ profits. Payroll taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, total 15.3% of employee wages. Together, these taxes generate significant federal revenue and reflect a system designed to fund government services effectively. What Are the 6 Current Federal Taxes? The six current federal taxes in the United States include individual income tax, which is a progressive tax on personal earnings; corporate income tax, imposed on business profits; payroll taxes, funding Social Security and Medicare; capital gains tax, applied to investment profits; estate tax, levied on inherited wealth; and excise taxes, targeting specific goods and services. Each of these taxes plays a crucial role in generating federal revenue and funding government operations. What Are the 7 Types of Taxes With Examples? There are seven types of taxes you might encounter. Individual income tax taxes your earnings, whereas corporate income tax applies to business profits. Payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Capital gains tax affects profits from investments. Estate taxes apply to your assets when you pass away. Sales tax is added to the purchase price of goods and services, and property tax is based on real estate value. Each plays an essential role in funding government services. What Are the 7 Federal Income Tax Rates? The seven federal income tax rates in the U.S. for 2024 range from 10% to 37%. You’ll pay 10% on income up to $11,000, 12% on income from $11,001 to $44,725, and 22% on earnings between $44,726 and $95,375. Higher rates apply as your income increases: 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% for various income thresholds. Conclusion Comprehending the different types of federal taxes is crucial for grasping how the government finances its operations. Individual income taxes, corporate taxes, payroll taxes, and capital gains taxes each play a significant role in generating revenue. Furthermore, customs duties and wealth taxes contribute to federal income, whereas tax administration guarantees compliance. By recognizing these tax components, you can better appreciate their impact on the economy and your financial responsibilities as a taxpayer. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Different Types of Federal Taxes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Regarding federal taxes, comprehending the different types can help you grasp how government funding works. Individual income tax, corporate income tax, payroll tax, and capital gains tax are just a few key components. Each tax serves a specific purpose, contributing to overall revenue. As you explore these categories, you’ll uncover how each one impacts your financial responsibilities and the nation’s economy. What other tax categories might influence your situation? Key Takeaways The federal tax system primarily includes individual income tax, corporate income tax, payroll taxes, capital gains tax, and excise taxes. Individual income tax is progressive, with rates from 10% to 37%, and includes a standard deduction for filers. Corporate income tax is levied at a flat rate of 21% on C corporations’ profits, with large corporations facing a minimum tax of 15%. Payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare, with a combined rate of 15.3% on wages, subject to specific limits. Excise taxes are applied to specific goods like gasoline and tobacco, while customs duties tax imported products. Overview of Tax Types The federal tax system in the United States is a complex framework designed to generate revenue for government operations and services. In FY2023, about 49% of federal revenue comes from individual income tax, which is the largest source. There are approximately 150 million taxpayers in the U.S., all contributing to this vital funding. Federal taxes types include corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, capital gains taxes, and excise taxes. Corporate income taxes contribute around 9% of total revenue, taxed at a flat rate of 21%. Payroll taxes, significant for Social Security and Medicare, account for 36% of revenue, levied at rates of 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. Capital gains taxes apply to profits from investments, with rates varying based on income brackets. Finally, excise taxes target specific goods, providing a smaller but variable share of federal collections. Individual Income Tax Individual income tax plays a pivotal role in the federal tax system, representing nearly half of the government’s revenue. This progressive tax system in the U.S. has federal marginal tax rates ranging from 10% to 37%, determined by your taxable income. In FY2023, it’s projected to generate about $2.2 trillion, making it one of the largest revenue sources for the federal government. Taxable income is calculated as Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) minus deductions, with the bulk of income, around 65%, coming from wages and salaries in 2024. As taxpayers, you can choose between a standard deduction or itemizing deductions, with the 2024 standard deduction set at $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married couples filing jointly. Furthermore, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) may apply to you if you have high deductions and credits, ensuring you pay a minimum level of tax regardless of your claimed deductions. Corporate Income Tax When you think about corporate income tax, it’s crucial to understand that it targets the profits of C corporations at a flat rate of 21%. This tax structure doesn’t vary based on profit levels, meaning all taxable income faces the same rate. Furthermore, corporations can deduct certain business expenses, which can help reduce their overall tax burden considerably. Tax Rate Structure Grasping the tax rate structure for corporate income tax is essential for comprehending how businesses contribute to federal revenues. In the U.S., corporations face a flat tax rate of 21% on taxable income, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. Unlike individuals, corporate tax rates don’t change with income brackets; all corporate earnings are taxed uniformly. You should also be aware that corporations can deduct business expenses, which can lower their taxable income considerably. Certain large corporations, earning over $1 billion, are subject to a minimum tax of 15% under the Inflation Reduction Act. Comprehending this structure helps clarify what taxation means and what taxes are used for in funding government services. Impact on Businesses Grasping the impact of corporate income tax on businesses is crucial for comprehending how these taxes affect operations and financial strategies. The corporate income tax (CIT) imposes a flat rate of 21% on taxable income for C corporations, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This tax can greatly influence how many taxpayers are in the U.S., as corporations can deduct business expenses, lowering their tax liability. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act set a minimum 15% tax for large corporations, ensuring they pay a fair share. Corporate income tax revenue contributed about 9% of total federal revenue in FY2023. Comprehending taxation meaning helps clarify that the IRS is federal, not state, impacting businesses nationwide. Payroll Tax Payroll taxes play a vital role in funding Social Security and Medicare, which provide fundamental benefits to many Americans. You’ll notice that both employers and employees share this tax burden, each contributing a flat rate of 7.65% of wages, up to a certain limit. Comprehending the structure and impact of payroll taxes can help you better grasp how they affect your income and overall financial situation. Purpose of Payroll Tax Even though you mightn’t think much about it during payday, payroll taxes play an essential role in funding fundamental government programs like Social Security and Medicare. They account for a combined rate of 15.3%, with 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, impacting many of the 157 million taxpayers in the United States of America. Here are some key purposes of payroll taxes: Funding Social Security: Provides retirement benefits for workers. Supporting Medicare: Guarantees healthcare for seniors and certain disabled individuals. Regressive Nature: Disproportionately affects low to moderate-income earners. Unemployment Insurance: Employers likewise contribute for unemployment benefits, helping those in need. Many individuals may pay payroll taxes without a federal income tax liability, making them essential for government revenue. Tax Rate Structure Comprehending the tax rate structure for payroll taxes is important for grasping how these contributions impact your earnings. In the U.S., the combined payroll tax rate stands at 15.3%, which includes 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. Social Security taxes apply only to wages up to $168,600 for 2024, whereas Medicare taxes have no wage limit. If you earn over $200,000, an additional 0.9% Medicare tax kicks in, further increasing your payroll tax burden. Many low and moderate-income earners end up paying a higher percentage of their income in payroll taxes than wealthier individuals. Comprehending how many taxpayers are there in the U.S. helps contextualize the impact of these payroll taxes on the overall workforce. Impact on Income Grasping the impact of payroll taxes on your income is crucial for managing your finances effectively. Payroll taxes, primarily for Social Security and Medicare, total 15.3% of your earnings. Here are some key points to reflect on: The Social Security tax applies to income up to $168,600 for 2024. Payroll taxes are regressive, affecting low and moderate-income earners more heavily. These taxes are automatically deducted from your paycheck, with employers matching contributions. Many individuals may pay payroll taxes without owing income tax, highlighting their importance. With approximately 164 million taxpayers in the U.S., comprehending payroll taxes helps you realize who taxpayers in the USA are and how these contributions support critical social programs. Capital Gains Tax Have you ever wondered how the capital gains tax affects your investments? This tax is imposed on profits made from selling capital assets, like stocks and real estate. The rate you pay depends on how long you held the asset. If you hold an asset for longer than a year, it qualifies for long-term capital gains tax, which is taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, based on your income bracket. Conversely, if you sell an asset held for one year or less, it’s taxed as ordinary income, subject to your regular tax rates. Moreover, you can offset capital gains with any capital losses incurred during the same tax year, potentially lowering your taxable income. In 2024, individuals with taxable income up to $44,625 (single) or $89,250 (married filing jointly) may even qualify for the 0% capital gains tax rate, making it advantageous to plan your sales strategically. Property Taxes Property taxes play a vital role in funding local governments, as they provide significant revenue for fundamental services like education and public safety. You’ll find that property tax rates and assessment methods vary widely, affecting how much you pay based on your property’s market value. Furthermore, it’s important to take into account the regressive nature of property taxes, which can impact lower-income households disproportionately. Property Tax Calculation Methods Comprehension of how property taxes are calculated is crucial for homeowners and potential buyers alike. Here’s a breakdown of the calculation methods: Fair Market Value: Local governments assess the fair market value of real estate, usually on an annual basis. Assessment Rate: The assessed value is then multiplied by the local property tax rate, which can vary from 0.2% to 1.9%. Additional Taxes: Local governments may impose extra taxes for specific needs, like funding schools, impacting overall tax rates. Exemptions: Homeowners may qualify for exemptions, such as homestead exemptions, which lower the taxable property value and eventually reduce tax liabilities. Understanding these components can help you better plan for property ownership costs. Local Government Funding Sources Local governments rely heavily on various funding sources to support their operations, and property taxes play a significant role in this framework. These taxes are levied based on the fair market value of real estate, calculated by multiplying the local property tax rate by the property’s assessed value. In the U.S., property taxes account for over 30% of state and local tax collections, making them a fundamental revenue source. Rates can vary widely, from 0.2% to 1.9% of assessed value, depending on the jurisdiction. Local governments utilize this revenue to fund indispensable public services like education, transportation, and public safety, ensuring community needs are met. Comprehending property taxes is imperative for recognizing how local funding operates. Regressive Tax Implications Even though many people may not realize it, the structure of property taxes can create significant regressive tax implications. These taxes often burden lower-income households disproportionately, as they pay a higher percentage of their income compared to wealthier individuals. Here are some key points to take into account: Property taxes are based on real estate value, not income, making them blind to a taxpayer’s financial situation. Rates vary widely, ranging from 0.2% to 1.9%, affecting low and moderate-income families’ affordability. Reliance on property taxes can lead to unequal public service funding, with wealthier areas generating more revenue. Fixed incomes make it harder for some individuals to bear the tax burden, exacerbating financial strain. Understanding these implications is vital for evaluating tax fairness. Estate and Inheritance Taxes When someone passes away, their estate may be subject to federal estate taxes, which are levied on the fair market value of the estate before any distribution to beneficiaries occurs. In 2023, only estates valued over $12.92 million are taxed. In addition, inheritance taxes, which vary by state, are paid by beneficiaries on the amount they inherit and can range from 0% to over 16%. Type of Tax Key Detail Estate Tax Imposed on estates exceeding $12.92 million Inheritance Tax Varies by state, paying rates from 0% to 16% Exemptions Transfers to spouse or charity are exempt Seventeen states and the District of Columbia enforce these taxes, bringing complexity into estate planning as valuations must be submitted within nine months of death, often needing professional help. Sales Taxes As you consider the various forms of taxation, sales taxes represent a significant aspect of the tax terrain in the United States. These consumption taxes are imposed on the retail sales of goods and services, with rates that can vary from 0% to 16%, depending on where you are. Here are some key points to understand about sales taxes: They account for about 30% of state tax collections, providing crucial revenue for state and local governments. Many states offer exemptions for specific items, like groceries and prescription medications, which can differ widely. Sales tax is applied only at the point of sale to the final consumer, avoiding the tax pyramiding seen in value-added taxes. Businesses can deduct previously paid sales taxes on their purchases when calculating their own tax liabilities. Understanding these factors can help you navigate sales taxes effectively. Excise Taxes Excise taxes are targeted levies applied to specific goods and activities, such as gasoline, alcohol, and tobacco, making them a distinct category of taxation. Often labeled as “sin taxes,” these are imposed on products that can have negative health or social impacts. You mightn’t notice these taxes separately on your receipts, as they’re typically included in the product price. The federal government sets varying rates, such as 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and $1.01 per pack for cigarettes. Excise taxes can likewise function as user fees, with revenue often directed to specific programs like the Highway Trust Fund to support transportation infrastructure. Unlike sales taxes, which are based on retail prices, excise taxes apply to quantity or specific criteria, which can lead to tax pyramiding when products are taxed at multiple production and sale stages. Customs Duties Customs duties, often referred to as tariffs, play a crucial role in the U.S. tax system by imposing taxes on imported goods. These duties vary based on the product type and country of origin, impacting both consumers and businesses. Here are some key points to understand: Rate Range: Customs duties can range from 0% to over 20%, depending on specific trade agreements and classifications under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Revenue Contribution: In FY2023, customs duties accounted for approximately $100 billion of federal revenue, making them a significant source of income for the government. Trade Negotiations: The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) negotiates agreements that can influence customs duty rates, affecting international trade dynamics. Domestic Protection: Customs duties likewise serve to protect domestic industries by raising the cost of imported goods, encouraging consumers to choose local products. Understanding customs duties helps you grasp their impact on the economy and international trade. Wealth Taxes As customs duties focus on taxing imports to shape trade and protect domestic industries, wealth taxes target individuals with substantial assets, aiming to address disparities in wealth distribution. Unlike income taxes that tax earnings, wealth taxes are assessed on an individual’s total asset value, including real estate, stocks, and personal property. In the U.S., wealth taxes are less common compared to other countries, with only a few states implementing them, each with different rates and exemptions. Recently, the idea of wealth taxes has gained traction as a way to combat income inequality and fund public services. Nonetheless, critics argue they can drive capital flight, discourage investment, and create administrative challenges, making them politically divisive. Tax Administration Tax administration in the United States is primarily managed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which is responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing tax laws across the country. Here are some key aspects of how it operates: Filing Deadline: Taxpayers must file their federal income tax returns by April 15 each year, with extensions available until October 15, though taxes owed must still be paid by the original deadline. Progressive Tax System: The IRS employs a progressive tax system, with individual income taxes calculated based on brackets ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on income level. Audit Methods: The IRS uses various methods to audit taxpayers, including computer-generated programs that analyze returns for discrepancies. Penalties: Taxpayers face penalties for late filing or payment, which can amount to 5% of the unpaid tax for each month it remains unpaid, capping at 25%. Special Tax Provisions Special tax provisions play a crucial role in shaping the overall tax terrain in the United States, influencing how individuals and businesses manage their financial obligations. For instance, if you’re a non-resident citizen, you’re taxed on your worldwide income, but you can exclude the first $120,000 of foreign earned income from taxation. Nevertheless, the SALT deduction limit, capped at $10,000, disproportionately affects you if you’re a medium or high earner in states with high tax rates. Moreover, the G7 agreement exempts the U.S. from the new 15% minimum corporate tax rate, which affects multinational tax strategies. The proposed retaliatory tax could impose extra taxes on entities from countries with unfair tax practices. Finally, provisions like the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) can increase your tax liability if you claim significant deductions and credits, complicating your overall tax situation. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Three Major Types of Federal Taxes? The three major types of federal taxes are individual income taxes, corporate income taxes, and payroll taxes. Individual income taxes are based on earnings, with rates ranging from 10% to 37%. Corporate income taxes apply a flat 21% rate on businesses’ profits. Payroll taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, total 15.3% of employee wages. Together, these taxes generate significant federal revenue and reflect a system designed to fund government services effectively. What Are the 6 Current Federal Taxes? The six current federal taxes in the United States include individual income tax, which is a progressive tax on personal earnings; corporate income tax, imposed on business profits; payroll taxes, funding Social Security and Medicare; capital gains tax, applied to investment profits; estate tax, levied on inherited wealth; and excise taxes, targeting specific goods and services. Each of these taxes plays a crucial role in generating federal revenue and funding government operations. What Are the 7 Types of Taxes With Examples? There are seven types of taxes you might encounter. Individual income tax taxes your earnings, whereas corporate income tax applies to business profits. Payroll taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. Capital gains tax affects profits from investments. Estate taxes apply to your assets when you pass away. Sales tax is added to the purchase price of goods and services, and property tax is based on real estate value. Each plays an essential role in funding government services. What Are the 7 Federal Income Tax Rates? The seven federal income tax rates in the U.S. for 2024 range from 10% to 37%. You’ll pay 10% on income up to $11,000, 12% on income from $11,001 to $44,725, and 22% on earnings between $44,726 and $95,375. Higher rates apply as your income increases: 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% for various income thresholds. Conclusion Comprehending the different types of federal taxes is crucial for grasping how the government finances its operations. Individual income taxes, corporate taxes, payroll taxes, and capital gains taxes each play a significant role in generating revenue. Furthermore, customs duties and wealth taxes contribute to federal income, whereas tax administration guarantees compliance. By recognizing these tax components, you can better appreciate their impact on the economy and your financial responsibilities as a taxpayer. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Different Types of Federal Taxes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

For years, leaders advanced by outperforming others, knowing more, producing more, delivering more. Performance earned authority. That equation has changed. Artificial intelligence now generates ideas, analyses, and strategies in seconds. What once set strong performers apart, speed, output, and insight, is no longer a differentiator. As AI expands what leaders can produce, something else is becoming clear. The leaders who stand out are not the ones with the most information. They are the ones who project confidence, clarity, and credibility when it matters most. Leaders are no longer evaluated primarily on what they know. They are evaluated on how they lead when decisions must be made without complete information, when their thinking is challenged in real time, and when others are looking for clear direction. In those moments, a leader’s presence determines whether ideas are heard, trusted, and acted on. Competence alone does not inspire confidence. Presence does. And most leaders don’t realize they’re being evaluated on it every day. WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE I recently worked with a senior leader in a highly technical organization where data, analysis, and AI-generated insights were baseline expectations, not sources of differentiation. His expertise was not in question. But in executive meetings, his influence was inconsistent. Not because of what he said, but how he showed up. In moments of uncertainty, he did not project the level of clarity and conviction others expected. And when decisions had to be made quickly, stakeholders looked less to the data and more to the leader. Once he learned to stay grounded under pressure and communicate with greater focus and authority, his impact shifted. His ideas gained traction. Trust increased. His leadership became more visible. WHAT AI CANNOT REPLICATE As automation handles more of the “what,” people look to leaders for the “how.” How do we move forward? How do we decide? What direction should we take? AI can assist with content, offer options, and surface insights, but it cannot lead in real time. It cannot regulate emotion under pressure. It cannot read the room. It cannot sense hesitation and respond with steadiness. It cannot establish trust through tone, timing, and judgment. As more execution becomes automated, these human capabilities become more, not less, valuable. Leaders answer those “how” questions indirectly. Through calm delivery. Through clarity of direction. Through consistency under pressure. These signals create trust before words fully register. As organizations rely on AI for execution, leaders become responsible for direction, judgment, and confidence. This is where leaders stand apart. HOW EXECUTIVE PRESENCE MAKES LEADERSHIP BELIEVABLE Executive presence is often misunderstood as polish, charisma, or extroversion. In reality, it is something more fundamental. It is the ability to remain grounded, clear, and credible when the environment is uncertain. It shows up in how leaders speak when challenged, how they hold the room when tension rises, how they express conviction without rigidity, and how they signal confidence without dominance. As AI accelerates the pace of work, these moments happen more often. Leaders are placed in high-visibility situations with less preparation time and greater scrutiny. When time is compressed and stakes are high, leaders have fewer opportunities to prepare, script, or refine their message. What remains is how they respond, how clearly they think, how decisively they speak, and how steadily they show up. That is when presence becomes visible. PRESSURE REVEALS PRESENCE Executive presence exists to create credibility. It is how leaders make others confident in their judgment, authority, and ability to lead. The clearest indicator of executive presence shows up under pressure, when leaders are being evaluated in real time. High-stakes meetings Senior leadership conversations Moments of disagreement or uncertainty In these situations, leaders often revert to unconscious habits. Language softens. Conviction wavers. Authority becomes tentative. Not because the leader lacks capability, but because pressure leaks into communication. In an AI-driven workplace, these moments are more frequent and more consequential. Leaders are constantly being assessed not just for ideas, but for how confidently those ideas are delivered. PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE Executive presence is most visible when your thinking and judgment are being evaluated in real time. Pay attention to how you show up when presenting to senior leaders, being challenged, or when your ideas are under scrutiny. Ask yourself: What changes in my tone, posture, or pace when I feel challenged? Do I hesitate, over-explain, or wait too long to speak? What signals am I sending before I say a word? Once you see them, you can interrupt them. Awareness is the first step to shifting how others experience your leadership. WHAT SETS LEADERS APART AI is accelerating execution and expanding access to knowledge. But it is also making one thing unmistakably clear. Leaders are no longer defined by what they know. They are defined by how they show up when it matters most. In an AI-driven world, executive presence is not a soft skill. It is the signal others trust and the advantage that sets leaders apart. View the full article

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. How to tell an employee to stop being bossy with coworkers I run a small, seasonal coffee shop with six employees. I generally have two to four return employees per season, which is a huge asset. An employee who has worked for me before has asked to come back, and while they are reliable, great with customers, and a very good barista, my other employees struggled with them being a bit overbearing and bossy, sometimes even giving incorrect feedback on procedures, and causing tension. They have a very bubbly and big personality and I don’t believe they realize how they come off. I plan to have a sit-down with them before the season begins to talk through how we can keep this dynamic from repeating. I’m wondering how best to approach the subject without making them feel shut-down or uncomfortable at work. Part of what I plan to do is to tell them not to instruct coworkers at all, to let me be “the bad guy” and the one to address problems if they arise, and that if they see something concerning, they should come to me and I will decide whether it needs to be addressed, which would also give me the opportunity to let them know if they are just wrong. Where I’m struggling is that it is a big part of their personality to “mother” and I don’t want them to feel like they can’t relax in the space, but I also need them to be aware of how they affect their coworkers, and that contributing to a positive and safe work environment is part of their job. The other side of it is that with me, they tend to need a lot of reassurance that they are doing well, that coffee tastes good, that I’m happy with them, etc. Which means that I don’t tend to see the dynamics as they play out. Yep, the right move is to tell them not to instruct or train their coworkers and instead to flag things for you so you can decide how and if to address it. That’s true even if they identify as someone who “mothers” — because their coworkers may not want to be mothered, and you don’t want them doing that mothering and in fact it has caused problems when they have. They’re going to need to keep that tendency outside of work — which is the case with all sorts of parts of people’s personalities! Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “this is part of their personality so I can’t ask them to stifle it” — because that’s how we get work environments where all kinds of inappropriate things are tolerated. You are permitted to say (and indeed, as a manager will often have to say), “Personality trait or not, this won’t work for this space” (and they are permitted to decide whether the job is still one they want under those terms or if they would rather move on). 2. I can’t get a word in during project meetings I’ve been recently working on a project with people I haven’t worked with before. The type of project it is means that we are working with another external organization on the regular. I have a meeting alongside one of my colleagues, Jim, with executives from the other organization, Sally and Anne. I’m peer to some and junior to others, and on this project I’m junior to all. Sally, Anne, and Jim all have a previous work history together and know each other quite well. When we have meetings, all three are the type that they talk … a lot … and don’t really let up to let other people jump in with their thoughts and ideas. It’s made it hard for me because despite raising my hand and attempting to cut in, I haven’t been successful in being able to get a word in edgewise. Going above them isn’t really an option because of their roles in their organizations, and I have no control over the agenda. Speaking to them directly about this isn’t received well and it’s something all three know they are known for anyway. They have big personalities and take things very personally. So when you say something to them, even in a very constructive and thoughtful way, they’ll thank you for the feedback and then behind the scenes tell others that you’re not a team player, and they’ll be petty and passive aggressive to you. Do you have any advice for how I could move past being boxed out and maybe finally get to voice my thoughts in this situation? Is there ever an opening in these meetings to say, “I’m having trouble getting a word in! I wanted to say something about X.” Or, can you talk to Jim privately before the next meeting and enlist his help? Even though he’s part of the problem, he might be receptive if you frame it as, “The three of you have worked together so closely and have such a good rapport that I’ve had trouble getting any room to talk in our meetings! Do you have advice for how I can create some room to contribute as well? I don’t want to cut people off, and even when I’ve tried it hasn’t really worked.” If that doesn’t work, then because you’re the most junior one there, this might just be how these meetings are going to go. In that case, one option is to keep a running list of input and questions and take it to Jim (since he’s your coworker) one-on-one afterwards. 3. Should I invite my boss to my housewarming party? I recently moved into a new apartment, and my partner and I are getting our ducks in a row for a casual housewarming party. Some snacks, BYOB, and some music some evening in the coming weeks as the weather gets nicer and we can use the back yard. My team at work is a relatively young set-up (we range in ages from early 30s to early 40s, with some outliers on the plus or minus side of that bracket). I will be extending the invite to my work chat group, with no expectations anyone has to be there. I wonder if I should also extend it to my manager. For context, she is also in her early 30s, around one year older than I actually. We have a pretty good working relationship and understanding so from a social perspective, I wouldn’t have a problem with inviting her and I don’t imagine others would either, as we all get along well in the team. However, I know there is also a slight imbalance in terms of my being her direct report, and some managers may want to separate church and state and not socialize with their reportees. If you’re inviting your whole team, it’s fine to invite your manager. She can decline if she wants to! If you’re only inviting a few people, then I’d leave her out. If you want to be extra cautious, you could explicitly mention there are no hard feelings if anyone can’t make it, so no one feels pressured (but most people will assume that anyway, as long as you are not someone who routinely pressures people to do things they don’t want to). 4. When to disclose neurological issues before a firm diagnosis Over the past year and a half, I’ve been experiencing some neurological issues that are affecting my work to a noticeable degree. These include lack of focus, limited memory (beyond general forgetfulness), and difficulty with comprehension. My manager has made clear that my work is suffering; I’m a director who is definitely not working at that level. I am working with doctors to determine what is happening, but the process is going to take some time. In the interim, I’m starting medications. At what point, if any, should I disclose it to my manager? Since I don’t have a diagnosis, I’m not sure what to disclose exactly. But because my performance is obviously impacted (and I’m worried about my position), I’m wondering if I should say something. Since your manager has already raised the work issues with you, you should definitely make it clear that there’s a medical context for it (so that they don’t assume you’re just checked out, stopped caring, etc.). Say it this way: “I’ve been experiencing some medical issues that are affecting my focus and memory. I’m actively working with my doctor to figure out what’s going on and get it under control. We’re working on treatment, and I’m hopeful it will be resolved soon.” Related: how do I handle being off my game at work because of a medical situation? 5. How can I negotiate for maternity leave at a new job? I started job searching a few months ago, and am now in the final round of interviews for a great position. After my second interview, I found out I was pregnant. My partner and I are super excited, but there’s a problem: employees of the new organization qualify for maternity leave after working there for 12 months, and they get eight weeks of leave. If I accepted this position, I would work for approximately six months before giving birth. My current organization provides 12 weeks of maternity leave, and I already qualify for FMLA. Long-term, the new position makes more sense but it’s my first child, and I want that 12 weeks of leave to bond with them and heal. I think I have a bargaining chip: I have a certain certification that’s rare in my field, but necessary to the new job. The organization would save thousands of dollars if they hired me instead of sponsoring the certification for someone else. If I’m offered the position, how do I negotiate for 12 weeks of maternity leave? You can be pretty straightforward once you have the offer: explain that you’d love to come on board and are excited to work with them and you’re pregnant and due in (month) and your current employer offers 12 weeks of maternity leave, and ask if they’d be willing to match that for you starting in (month). If they agree, get it in writing. The post managing a bossy employee, I can’t get a word in during meetings, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

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