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Shopify is expanding its advertising ambitions with the launch of the Shopify Product Network, a new system that surfaces products from across participating merchants—even if the item isn’t carried by the store a shopper is currently visiting. The pitch. If a shopper searches for “organic cleaning supplies” on a Shopify store that doesn’t carry that product, the Product Network may show alternatives from other merchants. Items can also appear natively on another merchant’s homepage, indistinguishable from the store’s own inventory. Shoppers purchase all items in a single cart, often without knowing some items come from other merchants. Shopify’s angle. The Product Network resembles ad platforms like Google Performance Max, Meta Advantage+ Shopping, and Amazon Performance+—advertisers set a cost-per-acquisition target, and the platform optimizes automatically. Key difference: Shopify emphasizes merchandising over advertising. Network placements only appear if contextually relevant, rather than filling predefined ad spots. Amanda Engelman, Shopify’s advertising product director, says, “It’s just a different approach to the world.” Revenue and structure.Shopify has historically avoided heavy ad monetization. For example, its Audiences program builds customer segments for use across channels like Google and Meta without taking a cut of ad spend. Merchants participating in the network earn commissions on third-party products, paid in cash or Shopify ad credits—effectively creating off-site ad budget support. The Product Network continues this trend. Early placements are context-driven rather than revenue-driven. Over time, the network could optimize for higher commission items while still favoring purchase likelihood. Why we care. Shopify’s Product Network opens a new way to reach shoppers across a vast network of independent merchants without requiring those merchants to carry their products. By surfacing relevant items contextually—on search results or directly on another store’s homepage—advertisers can gain exposure in more places while keeping the shopping experience seamless. Unlike traditional ads, the network optimizes for conversions and purchase likelihood rather than simply filling ad space, potentially delivering higher-quality traffic. Additionally, merchants earn commissions on third-party sales, creating an incentive for broader participation, which can amplify reach and effectiveness for advertisers. What’s next: Shopify plans to refine personalization and monetization as the network scales, but the core principle remains: keep shoppers on the platform and help merchants sell more—even if the items aren’t theirs. View the full article

Paired with high-deductible healthcare plans, health savings accounts help ease healthcare costs. HSAs are a triple tax-advantaged vehicle in the tax code, allowing for pretax contributions, tax-free compounding, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. However, few owners fund their HSAs to the maximum, and even fewer invest their HSA dollars outside a savings account. Most consumers likely don’t fill their HSAs because they lack the financial means; critics note that the HDHP/HSA combination can be less beneficial for lower-income workers. But even wealthy consumers may decline to fully fund their HSAs. Many HSAs charge account-maintenance fees and extra costs for investing in long-term assets. Unlike 401(k)s, where participants are typically captive in employer plans, HSA savers can move money from one HSA to another via transfer or rollover. Below, how to know if your HSA is subpar, and what to do if it is. Valuable tax advantages may come at a price HSAs appear preferable to other tax-advantaged savings vehicles, especially for investors expecting out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Even in a worst-case scenario—using HSA funds for non-healthcare expenses—the HSA is at least as good as a traditional tax-deferred 401(k) or IRA. Yet HSA expenses and/or investment shortcomings can erode their tax benefits, particularly for smaller HSA investors. Flat dollar-based account-maintenance fees (say, $45/year) hit smaller HSA investors harder, and interest rates for smaller HSAs may be lower. It’s worthwhile to conduct due diligence on your HSA, assessing the following: 1. Setup Fees: A one-time fee imposed at account opening, sometimes covered by employers. 2. Account-Maintenance Fees: Monthly or annual fees for maintaining your account, also sometimes covered by employers. 3. Transaction Fees: Dollar-based fees that may be levied when paying for services using the HSA. 4. Interest Rate on Savings Accounts: For people using the HSA to fund out-of-pocket healthcare costs (or taking a hybrid approach), it’s particularly important to monitor your savings rate of return. Many HSAs offer higher interest rates on larger balances; that argues for building and maintaining critical mass in your HSA. 5. Investment-Related Expenses: Investors may face mutual fund or ETF expense ratios, sales charges, and dollar-based fees for maintaining investment accounts. 6. Investment Choices: Assess the investment lineup on offer to make sure it aligns with your investment philosophy. How to switch out of a poor HSA If your employer-provided HSA is lacking, you have three choices. Option 1: Contribute to an HSA on Your Own If you’re enrolled in a HDHP, you can choose a different HSA provider and deduct your HSA contributions on your tax return. That’s more cumbersome and requires more discipline than payroll deductions, so forgoing payroll deductions is usually not the best option. Option 2: Transfer the Money from Your Employer-Provided HSA Into Another HSA Your HSA contribution comes directly from your paycheck and goes to your employer-provided HSA; you can then periodically transfer some or all of that balance into your preferred HSA provider. There are no tax consequences on HSA transfers, and you can conduct multiple transfers per year. You can have more than one HSA, so this approach can work well for employees whose “captive” HSAs feature decent savings but less-compelling investment options. Option 3: Roll Over the Money From Your Employer-Provided HSA Into Another HSA This is similar to option 2. You contribute to your employer-provided HSA via payroll deduction, then roll over the money to your preferred HSA provider. There are two key differences between a rollover and a transfer. In a transfer, two trustees handle the funds. In a rollover, you get a check that you must deposit into another HSA within 60 days, or it counts as an early withdrawal, and a 20% penalty will apply if you’re not yet 65. Multiple transfers are permitted between HSAs, but only one HSA rollover is allowed every 12 months. ____ This article was provided to The Associated Press by Morningstar. For more personal finance content, go to https://www.morningstar.com/personal-finance. —Christine Benz is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. View the full article

LinkedIn is introducing new ad innovations designed to help B2B marketers strengthen brand awareness, personalize messaging, and accelerate creative workflows — all aimed at reaching potential buyers earlier in the funnel. What’s new: Reserved Ads give marketers front-row placement in the LinkedIn feed, ensuring premium visibility, predictable impressions, and a higher share of top-of-feed attention than competitors. The format works across Video, Thought Leader, Single Image, and Document Ads, letting brands maximize creative impact. Ad personalization allows messages to dynamically adjust using member profile data like first name, job title, industry, or company. Personalized messaging is critical: 71% of consumers expect it, while 76% get frustrated when it’s missing (McKinsey). AI-powered creative tools simplify testing multiple ad variations. AI Ad Variants generate fresh, on-brand copy from a single seed input, while Flexible Ad Creation (rolling out early 2026) lets marketers upload multiple assets that LinkedIn automatically mixes, matches, and optimizes for top performance. Why we care. This update because it makes brand‑building on LinkedIn much more effective — with tools that boost visibility, scale personalization, and speed up creative production. The new Reserved Ads ensures premium placement at the top of users’ feeds, helping brands grab attention even when potential buyers aren’t actively in‑market. Meanwhile, Ad Personalization tailors messaging dynamically (e.g. by name, company, job title) to make ads feel more relevant. On top of that, AI tools like AI Ad Variants and upcoming Flexible Ad Creation streamline creative workflows — so marketers can test more variants quickly, improve engagement, and reach top‑funnel audiences efficiently The big picture. With buyers moving in non-linear, self-directed paths, early-stage brand presence is essential. These tools help marketers deliver scalable, personalized creative efficiently, improving awareness, engagement, and conversion potential across campaigns. What’s next. B2B advertisers should experiment with Reserved Ads, ad personalization, and AI-driven creative tools to strengthen top-of-funnel impact, refine messaging, and optimize performance — all without adding significant manual effort. The bottom line. LinkedIn’s latest ad innovations aim to make brand building more predictable, relevant, and scalable, helping marketers reach the right audience with the right message at the right time. View the full article

Home equity is becoming a data-driven asset that demands sharper valuation and analytics as lending options expand, according to Clear Capital's EVP of Strategy and Growth. View the full article

Google is releasing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0, a new Gemini CLI extension that lets developers interact with the Ads API using natural language — turning plain-English prompts into answers, code, and even live API calls. How it works: The assistant sits inside the Gemini CLI and uses project context from GEMINI.md and configuration files to generate accurate code based on the user’s environment. Ask a question — for example, “How do I filter by date in GAQL?” — and it delivers instant guidance. Describe a task — “Show me campaigns with the most conversions in the last 30 days” — and it outputs both the GAQL query and a complete Python script aligned with best practices in the google-ads-python client library. Key features. Developers can run generated scripts directly from the terminal to execute read-only API calls, with results displayed in neatly formatted tables. The tool also supports CSV export for any tabular output, saving files to a dedicated directory on command. Code generated through the assistant is automatically organized into a saved_code/ folder. Why we care. The Google Ads API is powerful but complex. The new Developer Assistant makes it dramatically easier and faster for teams to build, test, and refine Google Ads API workflows — the backbone of large-scale campaign management and reporting. By turning natural language into GAQL queries and ready-to-run code, it reduces technical bottlenecks and accelerates insights that can drive better optimization. And with one-command execution and CSV exports, analysts and engineers can spend less time wrestling with code and more time improving performance. The big picture. Google is positioning the assistant as both an educational entry point and a productivity booster. For newcomers, natural language prompts flatten the learning curve. For power users, code generation, automatic file organization, and command-line execution remove repetitive work from day-to-day API operations. Getting started. Developers need a Google Ads API token, a configured google-ads.yaml, Python 3.10+, the Gemini CLI, and a local clone of the google-ads-python library. A setup script can handle the cloning, and full instructions are available on GitHub. What’s next. Google is encouraging early adopters to submit feedback, request features, and participate in the community Discord channel as it explores additional enhancements and AI-driven tooling. The bottom line. By letting developers query, code, and execute directly through plain language, Google is turning the Google Ads API into something faster, more intuitive — and far more accessible. Dig Deeper. Introducing the Google Ads API Developer Assistant v1.0: Interact with the API using Natural Language View the full article

A senior advisor at NAIC, the association of state insurance regulators, told attendees of its fall meeting that the imminent FEMA Review Council report should answer questions about funding for disaster relief and flood insurance, as well as other related issues. View the full article

OpenAI said Tuesday it has picked Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief of revenue, a message to wary investors that the ChatGPT maker is serious about making a profit from its artificial intelligence technology. OpenAI said Dresser will oversee global revenue strategy and “help more businesses put AI to work in their day-to-day operations.” Dresser had already spent more than a decade at Salesforce when the software pioneer announced in 2020 it was buying work-chatting service Slack for $27.7 billion. She helped integrate Slack into the software company before Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff picked her as CEO in 2023. Salesforce said in a statement that it was “grateful for Denise’s leadership during her 14 years at Salesforce.” Rob Seaman, Slack’s chief product officer, will take over her responsibilities on an interim basis. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman earlier this month set off a “code red” alert in an internal email to employees to improve its flagship product, ChatGPT, and delay other product developments. OpenAI first released ChatGPT just over three years ago, sparking global fascination and a commercial boom in generative AI technology and giving the San Francisco-based startup an early lead. But the company faces increased competition with rivals, including Google, which last month unleashed Gemini 3, the latest version of its own AI assistant. Altman has said ChatGPT now has more than 800 million weekly users. But the company, valued at $500 billion, doesn’t make a profit and has committed more than $1 trillion in financial obligations to the cloud computing providers and chipmakers it relies on to power its AI systems. The risk that OpenAI won’t make enough money to fulfill the expectations of backers like Oracle and Nvidia has amplified investor concerns about an AI bubble. OpenAI makes revenue from premium subscriptions to ChatGPT, but most users get the free version. OpenAI introduced its own web browser, Atlas, in October, an attempt to compete with Google’s Chrome as more internet users rely on AI to answer their questions. But OpenAI hasn’t yet tried to sell ads on ChatGPT, which is how Google makes money from its dominant search business. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Soundcore Boom 2 is built for people who don’t want to baby their speakers. With an IPX7 rating and a floatable design, it’s something you can toss in the pool, hose off after a beach trip, or take out on a boat without much worry. And right now, the black model is $89.99, down from $139.99, its lowest price ever according to price trackers. Soundcore Boom 2 by Anker $89.99 at Amazon $139.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $89.99 at Amazon $139.99 Save $50.00 Note: While the Boom 2 floats, Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater. So your playlist cuts off as soon as it dips below the surface. Still, for outdoor parties where someone will eventually knock the speaker over, that floatability is peace of mind. The Boom 2 pumps out 80 watts of sound thanks to two 15W tweeters and a 50W woofer. Turn off BassUp mode, though, and output drops to 60W, so if you’re into room-shaking bass, you’ll want to leave it on. And while you can link a second Boom 2 for stereo sound, you’ll be working with Bluetooth only, since there’s no wifi support. The speaker’s LED lights sync to your music, which is fun at night but does drain the battery faster. On that note: Expect around 24 hours of playback with lights and bass boost off, but less if you’re maxing out the volume. It takes about 5.5 hours to charge fully via USB-C. That might be a long wait if you're in a rush, but decent for overnight charging. There’s a companion app where you can tweak the sound profile and control the light settings. That adds a level of customization some speakers skip. But this isn’t a speaker for someone who wants elegant design or deep audio fidelity, notes this PCMag review. The JBL Flip 6 might feel nicer in the hand, and the Sony SRS-XB23 offers slightly better balance across mids and highs. What the Boom 2 does well is give you bold sound, big volume, and enough durability to handle messy environments. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

A reader writes: One piece of your advice I’ve made use of many times is to think of a person struggling in their role as “miscast.” It’s not like they’re a terrible person or failing on purpose, they’re just in the wrong role for their skills. When the conversation turns to ending their employment, I can be kinder and more compassionate, as you’ve written, even when they have frustrated me greatly throughout their time with us. But I worry I’ve gotten stuck when the reason someone is being let go for attitude. I’m thinking of a time, a while back, when I fired a person who no one could stand to work with — arrogant, smug, judgmental, and no self-awareness whatsoever of the way they came off. This person had middling skills, but the reason they were let go was the “no jerks” policy, not because they weren’t right for the role. That’s not being miscast, so how should I approach that sort of termination meeting? It’s probably about to happen again, and I don’t want to be a jerk to somebody who’s getting fired and will stop being a problem for my team soon. But they’re not miscast — they’re a jerk! How on earth do I “kindly” tell them so? I answer this question — and two others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. Other questions I’m answering there today include: How can I let job candidates know their boss would be a micromanager? Colleague puts “READ ME” in every email subject line The post how to fire a jerk appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

In the workplace, conflict often emerges from differing work styles, misconceptions, or authority struggles. For example, a diligent employee may clash with a more relaxed colleague over project timelines, leading to frustration on both sides. To address these conflicts, it’s essential to implement clear communication practices and define roles. Comprehending these common situations can help you navigate them effectively, but knowing how to cultivate a collaborative environment is just as important. Key Takeaways Address work style conflicts by promoting structured meetings and regular check-ins to align team expectations and approaches. Improve communication by establishing clear channels and encouraging open dialogue to minimize misunderstandings and duplicated efforts. Implement anti-bullying policies and ongoing training to prevent harassment and discrimination, fostering a healthier work environment. Clarify roles and responsibilities to mitigate power struggles and encourage collaboration among team members. Facilitate open discussions about change to address resistance, providing support and training to help employees adapt effectively. Work Style Conflicts Work style conflicts can greatly affect team dynamics and overall productivity, especially in diverse work environments. These conflict situations often arise when team members have differing approaches to task completion. For instance, a go-getter may prioritize efficiency, whereas a laid-back individual might struggle with deadlines. Organized team members may clash with impulsive coworkers, leading to tension that impacts morale. Furthermore, a preference for solo work can create friction in collaborative teams, leaving some feeling undervalued. Resolving conflict in the workplace examples include structured meetings to address these differences and regular check-ins to guarantee everyone’s preferences are understood. Misunderstanding or Poor Communication Issues Misunderstandings can considerably disrupt workplace harmony, particularly when team members communicate in differing styles shaped by their unique backgrounds and experiences. These conflict situations often arise from generational differences and life experiences, leading to misinterpretations. Poor communication can result in duplicated efforts or missed deadlines, highlighting the significance of clear instructions and regular updates. To mitigate these issues, establish clear communication channels, ensuring everyone is aligned on objectives and expectations. Open dialogue is crucial, as it allows you and your colleagues to clarify intentions and resolve misconceptions. Regular check-ins not just improve communication flow but additionally promote a collaborative environment, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings escalating into conflict situations. Prioritizing effective communication is key to maintaining workplace harmony. Bullying, Discrimination, or Harassment Bullying, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace can create a toxic environment that undermines employee morale and productivity. These conflicts often stem from issues related to gender, age, or religion. When you voice your concerns, it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and respect. Effective resolution requires thorough investigations, including reviewing communication and discussing matters with all parties involved to guarantee fairness. Ongoing training and clear anti-bullying policies are fundamental for prevention, nurturing a safer workplace. Organizations that ignore these issues risk legal repercussions and reputational damage. Action Steps Description Report the Incident Document and communicate your experience. Investigate Conduct a thorough review of the situation. Provide Training Educate employees on bullying and discrimination. Establish Policies Implement clear anti-discrimination policies. Monitor Environment Regularly assess workplace culture. Power Struggles In many organizations, conflicts can emerge not merely from bullying or harassment but also from influence struggles, which often stem from unclear roles and responsibilities within teams. Control struggles can escalate quickly, leading to significant issues within the group dynamic. To navigate these situations effectively, consider the following strategies: Clarify roles and responsibilities to eliminate ambiguity. Recognize and address any existing tensions, especially during promotions or recognition events. Hold individual meetings to understand different perspectives and redefine roles. Promote open communication to encourage collaboration and reduce competition. Change Resistance Change resistance can greatly hinder organizational progress, especially when employees face new policies or structural adjustments. This resistance often stems from a fear of the unknown, leading to conflicts and lowered morale. To combat this, initiate open discussions about upcoming changes, allowing team members to voice their concerns and feel included in the decision-making process. Long-term employees may resist changes that disrupt their work-life balance, so it’s essential to approach these changes sensitively. Offering training and support can help employees adapt more comfortably, reducing conflict. Furthermore, regular check-ins and feedback sessions enable management to gauge employee sentiments and proactively address any resistance. Personality Clashes When team members have differing values, beliefs, and communication styles, personality clashes can arise, leading to misunderstandings and friction in the workplace. These conflicts often occur when introverts feel overshadowed by extroverts, resulting in frustration and undervalued contributions. Misunderstandings can cultivate resentment, negatively impacting overall team morale and productivity. To address these clashes, consider the following strategies: Implement mediation sessions for structured communication. Encourage open discussions to express feelings and perspectives. Organize team-building activities to strengthen relationships. Nurture an environment that values diverse personality types. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Most Common Conflict Situation? The most common conflict situation in the workplace often stems from personality clashes. When you and a colleague have differing temperaments or work styles, misunderstandings can easily arise. These clashes may lead to disputes that affect productivity and team dynamics. Furthermore, poor communication frequently compounds these issues, as unclear instructions can result in frustration and duplicated efforts. Consequently, recognizing and addressing these conflicts early is vital for maintaining a harmonious work environment. What Is an Example of a Conflict You Had to Resolve? You might encounter a conflict when team members clash because of differing work styles. For instance, one person may prefer a structured approach, whereas another thrives on flexibility. To resolve this, you can facilitate a mediation session where both express their concerns and share goals. Establishing a clear communication plan with regular check-ins can improve collaboration. Implementing team-building activities promotes comprehension, which in the end boosts productivity and minimizes future misunderstandings. What Are the Five Examples of Conflict in Everyday Life? You’ll encounter various conflicts in everyday life. For instance, you might face disagreements with friends over plans, differing opinions with family members on important issues, or misconceptions with coworkers regarding tasks. Conflicts can likewise arise when your personal values clash with societal expectations, or when you experience stress owing to financial pressures. Each situation highlights the importance of effective communication and comprehension to navigate these challenges smoothly. What Are the 5 Ways Conflict Can Be Resolved? You can resolve conflict using five main strategies. First, Avoiding is useful for low-stakes issues where confrontation isn’t necessary. Second, Competing works for urgent situations requiring quick decisions. Third, Accommodating allows you to prioritize others’ needs, but use it sparingly. Fourth, Compromising involves both parties giving up something to reach an agreement. Finally, Collaborating seeks a win-win solution, making it ideal for complex issues that need input from multiple stakeholders. Conclusion In conclusion, workplace conflicts can stem from various sources, including differing work styles and communication issues. To resolve these challenges effectively, focus on establishing clear communication channels, defining roles, and encouraging regular check-ins. Addressing bullying, influence struggles, and change resistance requires nurturing an open environment for dialogue. By taking proactive steps, you can create a more collaborative atmosphere, reduce misunderstandings, and promote a harmonious workplace, in the end enhancing productivity and employee satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Common Conflict Situations and How to Resolve Them" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In the workplace, conflict often emerges from differing work styles, misconceptions, or authority struggles. For example, a diligent employee may clash with a more relaxed colleague over project timelines, leading to frustration on both sides. To address these conflicts, it’s essential to implement clear communication practices and define roles. Comprehending these common situations can help you navigate them effectively, but knowing how to cultivate a collaborative environment is just as important. Key Takeaways Address work style conflicts by promoting structured meetings and regular check-ins to align team expectations and approaches. Improve communication by establishing clear channels and encouraging open dialogue to minimize misunderstandings and duplicated efforts. Implement anti-bullying policies and ongoing training to prevent harassment and discrimination, fostering a healthier work environment. Clarify roles and responsibilities to mitigate power struggles and encourage collaboration among team members. Facilitate open discussions about change to address resistance, providing support and training to help employees adapt effectively. Work Style Conflicts Work style conflicts can greatly affect team dynamics and overall productivity, especially in diverse work environments. These conflict situations often arise when team members have differing approaches to task completion. For instance, a go-getter may prioritize efficiency, whereas a laid-back individual might struggle with deadlines. Organized team members may clash with impulsive coworkers, leading to tension that impacts morale. Furthermore, a preference for solo work can create friction in collaborative teams, leaving some feeling undervalued. Resolving conflict in the workplace examples include structured meetings to address these differences and regular check-ins to guarantee everyone’s preferences are understood. Misunderstanding or Poor Communication Issues Misunderstandings can considerably disrupt workplace harmony, particularly when team members communicate in differing styles shaped by their unique backgrounds and experiences. These conflict situations often arise from generational differences and life experiences, leading to misinterpretations. Poor communication can result in duplicated efforts or missed deadlines, highlighting the significance of clear instructions and regular updates. To mitigate these issues, establish clear communication channels, ensuring everyone is aligned on objectives and expectations. Open dialogue is crucial, as it allows you and your colleagues to clarify intentions and resolve misconceptions. Regular check-ins not just improve communication flow but additionally promote a collaborative environment, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings escalating into conflict situations. Prioritizing effective communication is key to maintaining workplace harmony. Bullying, Discrimination, or Harassment Bullying, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace can create a toxic environment that undermines employee morale and productivity. These conflicts often stem from issues related to gender, age, or religion. When you voice your concerns, it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and respect. Effective resolution requires thorough investigations, including reviewing communication and discussing matters with all parties involved to guarantee fairness. Ongoing training and clear anti-bullying policies are fundamental for prevention, nurturing a safer workplace. Organizations that ignore these issues risk legal repercussions and reputational damage. Action Steps Description Report the Incident Document and communicate your experience. Investigate Conduct a thorough review of the situation. Provide Training Educate employees on bullying and discrimination. Establish Policies Implement clear anti-discrimination policies. Monitor Environment Regularly assess workplace culture. Power Struggles In many organizations, conflicts can emerge not merely from bullying or harassment but also from influence struggles, which often stem from unclear roles and responsibilities within teams. Control struggles can escalate quickly, leading to significant issues within the group dynamic. To navigate these situations effectively, consider the following strategies: Clarify roles and responsibilities to eliminate ambiguity. Recognize and address any existing tensions, especially during promotions or recognition events. Hold individual meetings to understand different perspectives and redefine roles. Promote open communication to encourage collaboration and reduce competition. Change Resistance Change resistance can greatly hinder organizational progress, especially when employees face new policies or structural adjustments. This resistance often stems from a fear of the unknown, leading to conflicts and lowered morale. To combat this, initiate open discussions about upcoming changes, allowing team members to voice their concerns and feel included in the decision-making process. Long-term employees may resist changes that disrupt their work-life balance, so it’s essential to approach these changes sensitively. Offering training and support can help employees adapt more comfortably, reducing conflict. Furthermore, regular check-ins and feedback sessions enable management to gauge employee sentiments and proactively address any resistance. Personality Clashes When team members have differing values, beliefs, and communication styles, personality clashes can arise, leading to misunderstandings and friction in the workplace. These conflicts often occur when introverts feel overshadowed by extroverts, resulting in frustration and undervalued contributions. Misunderstandings can cultivate resentment, negatively impacting overall team morale and productivity. To address these clashes, consider the following strategies: Implement mediation sessions for structured communication. Encourage open discussions to express feelings and perspectives. Organize team-building activities to strengthen relationships. Nurture an environment that values diverse personality types. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Most Common Conflict Situation? The most common conflict situation in the workplace often stems from personality clashes. When you and a colleague have differing temperaments or work styles, misunderstandings can easily arise. These clashes may lead to disputes that affect productivity and team dynamics. Furthermore, poor communication frequently compounds these issues, as unclear instructions can result in frustration and duplicated efforts. Consequently, recognizing and addressing these conflicts early is vital for maintaining a harmonious work environment. What Is an Example of a Conflict You Had to Resolve? You might encounter a conflict when team members clash because of differing work styles. For instance, one person may prefer a structured approach, whereas another thrives on flexibility. To resolve this, you can facilitate a mediation session where both express their concerns and share goals. Establishing a clear communication plan with regular check-ins can improve collaboration. Implementing team-building activities promotes comprehension, which in the end boosts productivity and minimizes future misunderstandings. What Are the Five Examples of Conflict in Everyday Life? You’ll encounter various conflicts in everyday life. For instance, you might face disagreements with friends over plans, differing opinions with family members on important issues, or misconceptions with coworkers regarding tasks. Conflicts can likewise arise when your personal values clash with societal expectations, or when you experience stress owing to financial pressures. Each situation highlights the importance of effective communication and comprehension to navigate these challenges smoothly. What Are the 5 Ways Conflict Can Be Resolved? You can resolve conflict using five main strategies. First, Avoiding is useful for low-stakes issues where confrontation isn’t necessary. Second, Competing works for urgent situations requiring quick decisions. Third, Accommodating allows you to prioritize others’ needs, but use it sparingly. Fourth, Compromising involves both parties giving up something to reach an agreement. Finally, Collaborating seeks a win-win solution, making it ideal for complex issues that need input from multiple stakeholders. Conclusion In conclusion, workplace conflicts can stem from various sources, including differing work styles and communication issues. To resolve these challenges effectively, focus on establishing clear communication channels, defining roles, and encouraging regular check-ins. Addressing bullying, influence struggles, and change resistance requires nurturing an open environment for dialogue. By taking proactive steps, you can create a more collaborative atmosphere, reduce misunderstandings, and promote a harmonious workplace, in the end enhancing productivity and employee satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Common Conflict Situations and How to Resolve Them" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

UK healthy fast-food chain bought back by John Vincent last month has struggled to recover from CovidView the full article

November rate locks fell seasonally but hit their strongest level since 2021, led by refis, while lenders shifted more loans to the GSE cash window. View the full article

If there’s one thing you can be certain of when managing a project, it’s change. If only you knew ahead of time what those issues would be, you could better address them. Although it’s impossible to predict the future, with these free risk management templates, you can better prepare for the unexpected and be more apt to keep your project on track. There are many project management templates that are designed to help you identify, respond to and track those risks. This helps you avoid an issue that becomes a problem that negatively impacts the project’s time, cost and scope. Download these free risk management templates and gain more control over your project. 1. Risk Management Plan A risk management plan is a document that describes how a project management team will manage risk over a project. Risk management plans consist of several sections that describe the potential risks of a project and the various risk mitigation strategies that will be executed to manage said risks. To provide a clear view of project risks, a risk management plan typically contains a risk register, risk breakdown structure, risk matrix and a risk mitigation plan. Our risk management plan template helps you organize these different risk management documents. /wp-content/uploads/2023/09/risk-management-plan-template-for-word-screenshot.jpg 2. Risk Register Template Planning for risk is how you manage risk. While it’s impossible to know what’ll happen, an experienced project manager will have the resources to predict what might happen. In order to define the potential of the risk from showing up in your project and what the impact could be, you’ll want to use our free risk register template for Excel. /wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Risk-Tracking-Screenshot.webp The free risk register gives you space to describe the risk, its impact and what your response will be if it appears in the project. There’s also a column to note if the risk is high, medium or low. Plus, you can assign a team member to that risk so they know to keep an eye out for it. If that risk becomes an issue, then the team member will be responsible for tracking it until the issue has been resolved. Or you can build your risk register in ProjectManager, a robust project management software complete with risk management and reporting tools. Build project plans with Gantt charts, execute with tasks lists and address risks alongside your project. It’s easy to identify impact, likelihood and potential resolutions. Plus, you’ll be able to centralize communications and documentation with your team as the project unfolds. Try ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CTA-light-mode-risk-view.pngLearn more 3. Project Dashboard Template Preparing for risk is essential to risk management, but that’s just the start. Once the project begins, you have to be diligent in monitoring the work to catch issues when they arise. The faster you capture issues, the less impact they’ll have and the quicker you’ll be able to resolve them. Using our free project dashboard template for Excel creates graphs that track your tasks, workload, costs and more. /wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Project-Dashboard-template-UPDATE.png 4. Risk Matrix Template There’s more than one way to manage risk, but regardless of how you choose to do so, you’ll always want to identify, prioritize and assign an owner to be on the lookout for it. Risk isn’t always negative, of course, but if you’re not prepared for risk then you can’t mitigate or take advantage of it. Our free risk matrix template for Excel provides a visual tool to manage risk easily. /wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Risk-Matrix-Screenshot.jpg A risk matrix is a type of chart that’s used by project managers to map risks. It helps categorize the risk in terms of its likelihood of occurring and how it’ll impact the project. It does this on a colorful grid, which provides you with a visual tool that helps communicate risk to the project team. 5. Issue Tracking Template Risk is potential, but project issues are real. They could be the manifestation of a risk that you’ve identified and have been monitoring or they could be unique. Whatever they are, you need to address them and our free issue-tracking template for Excel is just the tool you need to make sure issues don’t sidetrack your project. /wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Issue-Tracking-Screenshot.jpg The issue tracking collects all the data you need to keep an eye on the issue as it moves through its life cycle. You have a column to describe it and its potential impact. Then you can give each issue a priority to know which to deal with first as well as the date it was first identified and who’s responsible for resolving the issue. There’s space to note the department responsible and whether the status is open or closed. 6. Risk Assessment Template Projects move forward with many uncertainties, and a risk assessment helps teams prepare for what could go wrong. It identifies threats to schedule, cost, quality and safety, evaluates their likelihood and impact, and determines what actions can reduce or respond to each one. By addressing risks proactively instead of reacting to surprises, project managers protect timelines, budgets and stakeholder confidence throughout the entire execution process. /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Risk-assessment-template-screenshot-1600x565.png Our free risk assessment template organizes every key detail needed to evaluate project threats. Users can log each risk’s category, source, stakeholders affected, severity level and likelihood, along with prevention steps and mitigation responses. Resource needs and ownership fields ensure accountability is clear, and assumptions provide context behind decisions. With this structure in place, teams can monitor risks consistently, prioritize attention and adjust plans quickly when conditions change. 7. RAID Log Template Complex projects involve moving parts and shifting realities, and a RAID log keeps those elements visible in one place. It tracks Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Decisions so teams can understand what might go wrong, what is believed to be true, what problems already exist and what choices have shaped the project. This organized view supports faster responses, stronger accountability and better-informed planning across the entire lifecycle. /wp-content/uploads/2023/08/raid-log-template-1.jpg This free RAID log template provides a simple structure to categorize each item by type, impact, response strategy and priority level. Ownership fields make responsibilities clear, while notes give room for status updates and context. By recording risks before they escalate and tracking decisions as they are made, the template helps teams stay aligned and focused on what requires attention, ultimately improving control over project performance. 8. Issue Report Template Unexpected problems can derail a project plan if they aren’t addressed in a timely and organized way. An issue report gives teams a structured method to capture the details of what went wrong and how serious the consequences might be. Rather than letting obstacles linger, this process assigns ownership, encourages prompt action and supports better communication so that the project can recover without losing sight of its goals. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Issue-Report-Template.png Our free issue report template captures essential details such as description, origin, impact severity, cost estimates and affected areas. It includes fields for assigning an issue owner, defining mitigation actions and updating status as progress is made. By organizing issues in a clear, actionable format, the template helps teams focus on the highest-priority problems and maintain momentum while keeping stakeholders informed about any disruptions. 9. Cost-Benefit Analysis Template Not all risks are created equal. Project managers can get sidetracked trying to resolve a risk that’s trivial when put in the context of the larger project. But how can you tell whether the risk in the project is worth the effort? Simply download our free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel to help you decide if the effort is worth the cost. /wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cost-Benefit-Analysis-Screenshot.jpg The free template helps you collect the quantitative costs (indirect, intangible and opportunity) and compare them to the quantitative benefits (direct, indirect, intangible and competitive). With this data, you can make a cost-benefit analysis to see if the investment is worth the return. 10. Project Status Report Template We’ve talked about project dashboards as a means to monitor for risk. Reports are another tool that provides a more detailed look at the project’s progress and performance. Use our free project status report template for Excel to view a slice of time in the project to chart its health and progress. /wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Status-Report-Screenshot.jpg Some of the data a status report captures include a summary of the project, such as key accomplishments, work that has been done, what work is still to come, milestones, deliverables and action items. There’s also information on the budget, schedule, quality and scope of the project. Plus, you can see risks, issues and roadblocks. 11. IT Risk Assessment Template IT projects have their own unique risks and, therefore, need their own unique risk assessment. There are risks to software and hardware from malware, viruses, scams and more. There are also human errors, security breaches and natural disasters that can take you offline, too. Our free IT risk assessment template for Excel is a great tool to avoid potential loss from downtime. /wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IT-Risk-Assessment-Screenshot.jpg Everything you need to manage IT risk is included in the free template. You can list the risk by number to track it, note the area where the risk is likely to happen and define the risk. Then there’s a place to set up processes to control the risk, assess it and determine what activities will be required to reduce the risk. You can even monitor the risk if it shows up to make sure it’s properly resolved. 12. Change Log Template Change is a risk; you don’t know when it’s coming, but you have to be able to deal with it. Whether it’s a request from stakeholders or an issue with equipment or weather, change can impact your project. If you planned correctly, then you’re ready for changes even if you’re not sure what they’ll be. When they come, though, you need our free change lot template for Excel to manage them. /wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Change-Log-Screenshot.jpg The free template lets you date when the change first came, who owns it and who’s responsible for taking care of the change. There’s a place to note its priority to know what should be done and when. You can also note its status. This way, as changes come into your project (and they always do), you have a way to track them and make sure nothing crucial is overlooked. More Project Management Templates Everyone likes free templates. ProjectManager has dozens of free project management templates for Excel and Word that are ready to be downloaded on our site. You can find more than free templates that deal with risk. There are ones that cover every phase of your project and below is only a small sampling. Gantt Chart Template The Gantt chart is one of the most popular scheduling tools in project management. Use our free Gantt chart template for Excel to list all your tasks and see them on a visual timeline. It’s a great way to organize your costs and resources. Project Plan Template Project plans allow project managers to scope their work and break it down into manageable parts. It’s an essential document in project management. Using our free project plan template for Word will help you organize your tasks, phases, budget and much more. Project Budget Template All projects require money to deliver success, and budgets capture those financial details. The more accurate the budget estimates, the more likely you’ll be able to complete the project. Using our free project budget template for Excel will help you accurately forecast costs. ProjectManager Is a Risk Management Software There’s no doubt that free project management templates are great. But they’re also status documents that must be manually updated. That’s a lot of time and effort to extend on a limited tool. ProjectManager is online project management software that delivers real-time data to help you better manage project risk. Track Risk in Real Time None of the free templates can track risk in real time. Someone on your team has to manually update those templates and there’s always a danger that copies are floating around so no one is aware of their actual status. Our risk management features make it easy to stay informed. You can create a risk just as you would a task and assign an owner, add dates, priorities, tags, attachments and more. Always know the status of your risk in real time. /wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Risk_management_close_up.jpg Manage Risk on Robust Gantt Charts Having a risk management plan is essential and templates can help but they might not be flexible enough. In some cases, you need something more dynamic. Our online Gantt charts help you schedule and assign as well as monitor the project on a timeline. You can also easily share the Gantt chart with the project team and stakeholders. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Construction-Gantt-Task-Info.jpg Of course, teams and stakeholders aren’t going to need the details of a Gantt chart. That’s why we have multiple project views. Teams can manage and prioritize risk on kanban boards, which visualize the workflow. Stakeholders can be updated by viewing the calendar view or using customized reports to share just the data in which they’re interested. Related Content If you’re still hungry to learn more about risk and how to manage it, you’re in luck. ProjectManager isn’t only great software but our site is the premier online destination for all things project management. There are more than templates. We publish weekly blogs and have guides, videos and much more. Here’s some more risk-related reading. The Risk Management Process in Project Management How to Make a Risk Management Plan What Is a Risk Register & How to Create One Risk Analysis: Definition, Examples and Methods Risk Breakdown Structure for Projects: A Complete Guide to RBS ProjectManager is award-winning software that helps you plan, manage and track risk in real time. We also empower teams on a collaborative platform with task and resource management features to keep everyone working together more productively. Get onboard with teams from companies as varied as Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver success. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 12 Free Risk Management Templates for Excel & Word appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Instagram launched Your Algorithm in the U.S. today, a tool that lets people see – and directly edit – the topics shaping their Reels recommendations. Why we care. This could reshape how users discover content. When people signal interest in specific niches, hobbies, or brands – from running shoes to vintage clothing to home organizers – Instagram may surface more of that content, boosting reach for brands that publish relevant Reels. How it works. A new Reels icon opens a personalized list of topics (e.g., sports, thrifting, horror movies, pop music, chess, day in the life, college football, skateboarding) Instagram believes “you’ve been into” lately, generated by Meta’s AI. You can: Tap to see more or less of any topic, or add your own. Share your algorithm snapshot to Stories. What’s next. The tool will expand to Explore, the search tab, and other surfaces, with a global English rollout planned, Instagram said. These controls will extend beyond Reels in the future. What Instagram is saying. Tessa Lyons, Instagram’s vice president of product, told Fast Company: “We’re always trying to show people the best possible reels for them. I think we do a pretty good job today, but we don’t always get it right, and we know that people’s interests change. What we really want to do is give people control over the experience that they have on Instagram.” Similar to TikTok’s feature. TikTok introduced a Manage Topics tool last year, but its controls are broader and less personalized. Users choose from generic categories like travel or current affairs, while Instagram’s list is individualized and driven by each person’s recent activity. The announcement. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, shared the news via Instagram. View the full article

Small business owners are constantly seeking tools and technologies that enhance productivity and accessibility, and recent updates from Android may provide just that. With advancements in accessibility features, Android aims to empower users—particularly those with disabilities—by introducing innovative solutions that streamline interactions with devices. One of the standout updates is the expansion of Expressive Captions for YouTube. Beginning with videos uploaded this October, English content creators can now utilize AI-driven features for captions that enhance viewer engagement. These captions will not only indicate speech intensity—highlighting moments of excitement or tension—but will also capture subtle sounds such as sighs or gasps, as well as background noises. For small business owners utilizing video content for marketing or communication, the ability to create immersive video experiences could significantly improve audience retention and comprehension. “Expressive Captions will use AI to automatically display the intensity of speech,” Android representatives stated. This innovation can be particularly beneficial for businesses that rely on video content to convey their brand message or demonstrate products. Enhanced captions may increase accessibility and engagement for customers who are hard of hearing or non-native speakers. Another notable feature is the introduction of AutoClick for users who rely on external mice. This improvement addresses a critical pain point—physical discomfort associated with traditional clicking methods. Users can now customize the dwell time for the cursor, allowing it to automatically click after hovering over an item for a specified period. This reduces the need for repetitive physical actions, which can be a significant concern for small business owners who frequently perform tasks that demand extended use of pointing devices. “AutoClick now offers an improved dwell cursor experience,” Android emphasized, noting that users can choose from various click types, including left-click, right-click, double-click, and more. This level of customization can make a notable difference in efficiency for those who experience physical strain, ultimately allowing small business owners to focus on productivity rather than discomfort. While these updates present compelling benefits, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing new technologies often requires adjustments and learning curves—something to keep in mind when integrating these features into daily operations. Training employees to effectively utilize these updates can be essential to maximizing their value. Additionally, businesses relying heavily on video marketing must assess their content strategies. While enhanced captions improve accessibility, they may also shift viewer expectations. Companies may need to invest time into ensuring that their videos are not only engaging but also optimized for these new captioning standards. As small business owners further embrace digital platforms, the emphasis on accessibility will likely grow. Ensuring that content is inclusive can also open up new customer bases and foster loyalty among clients who appreciate efforts to improve access. By leveraging features like Expressive Captions and AutoClick, businesses can create a more user-friendly experience across their digital offerings. It’s worth exploring these recent Android enhancements in alignment with your business objectives. As you adapt to these innovations, consider not only the immediate impact on your operations but also the potential for broader market appeal as accessibility becomes a priority in customer engagement. For further details about these updates, you can visit the original press release here. By staying informed and proactive about these changes, small business owners can better position themselves to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Android Enhances YouTube with AI-Powered Expressive Captions and New Mouse Features" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small business owners are constantly seeking tools and technologies that enhance productivity and accessibility, and recent updates from Android may provide just that. With advancements in accessibility features, Android aims to empower users—particularly those with disabilities—by introducing innovative solutions that streamline interactions with devices. One of the standout updates is the expansion of Expressive Captions for YouTube. Beginning with videos uploaded this October, English content creators can now utilize AI-driven features for captions that enhance viewer engagement. These captions will not only indicate speech intensity—highlighting moments of excitement or tension—but will also capture subtle sounds such as sighs or gasps, as well as background noises. For small business owners utilizing video content for marketing or communication, the ability to create immersive video experiences could significantly improve audience retention and comprehension. “Expressive Captions will use AI to automatically display the intensity of speech,” Android representatives stated. This innovation can be particularly beneficial for businesses that rely on video content to convey their brand message or demonstrate products. Enhanced captions may increase accessibility and engagement for customers who are hard of hearing or non-native speakers. Another notable feature is the introduction of AutoClick for users who rely on external mice. This improvement addresses a critical pain point—physical discomfort associated with traditional clicking methods. Users can now customize the dwell time for the cursor, allowing it to automatically click after hovering over an item for a specified period. This reduces the need for repetitive physical actions, which can be a significant concern for small business owners who frequently perform tasks that demand extended use of pointing devices. “AutoClick now offers an improved dwell cursor experience,” Android emphasized, noting that users can choose from various click types, including left-click, right-click, double-click, and more. This level of customization can make a notable difference in efficiency for those who experience physical strain, ultimately allowing small business owners to focus on productivity rather than discomfort. While these updates present compelling benefits, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing new technologies often requires adjustments and learning curves—something to keep in mind when integrating these features into daily operations. Training employees to effectively utilize these updates can be essential to maximizing their value. Additionally, businesses relying heavily on video marketing must assess their content strategies. While enhanced captions improve accessibility, they may also shift viewer expectations. Companies may need to invest time into ensuring that their videos are not only engaging but also optimized for these new captioning standards. As small business owners further embrace digital platforms, the emphasis on accessibility will likely grow. Ensuring that content is inclusive can also open up new customer bases and foster loyalty among clients who appreciate efforts to improve access. By leveraging features like Expressive Captions and AutoClick, businesses can create a more user-friendly experience across their digital offerings. It’s worth exploring these recent Android enhancements in alignment with your business objectives. As you adapt to these innovations, consider not only the immediate impact on your operations but also the potential for broader market appeal as accessibility becomes a priority in customer engagement. For further details about these updates, you can visit the original press release here. By staying informed and proactive about these changes, small business owners can better position themselves to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Android Enhances YouTube with AI-Powered Expressive Captions and New Mouse Features" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Even in an age when it is rather common to invite people, including leaders, to “bring their whole self to work”, what is actually rewarded at work is being our best self, in the sense of trying to be at the best of our behaviors, and fulfill as much of our potential as we can, as often as possible. Importantly, many if not most people still compartmentalize their personal self as something separate from their work persona or professional self, even if both can co-exist as salient, albeit different, dimensions of their self-concept. Indeed, this aligns with the science of self-complexity, which basically shows that we “inhabit multiple selves”, in the sense that our identity is composed of different roles, habits, and adaptations which are activated as the situation demands, in response of each pertinent or particular environmental requirements. So for instance, even if you adore your boss, it would be unwise to mistake them for your spouse: just because they give you feedback doesn’t mean they want to hear about your weekend argument over who forgot to buy toilet paper, nor should you expect them to give you a gold star for behaving like a functioning adult for eight consecutive hours. Likewise, no matter how warm, empathetic, or inclusive your team may be, your colleagues are unlikely to respond well if you treat a project review like bedtime routine: for example, nobody wants to be tucked in after a PowerPoint or be asked whether they brushed their teeth before updating the CRM. The science of transilience And yet, there are actually some pretty clear benefits in applying certain skills or dispositions from one of your identity dimensions to others, and that includes the surprising potential for transferring parent skills to both management and leadership skills. In fact, there is a powerful but largely unknown science of transilience, the process of extrapolating aspects of one of your roles or self-concept dimensions to others. Recent empirical research validates this intuition with hard data. A study found that leaders who are supportive parents produce measurably better outcomes in their teams: higher employee performance, more voice behavior (employees voluntarily sharing ideas), and greater willingness to cooperate. The mechanism? Experiences of care and emotional support inherently developed in parenting roles transfer directly to leadership effectiveness. Parenting skills, translated Here are five ways in which parenting skills may come in handy to boost your leadership effectiveness: 1. Patience as a performance multiplier: Parenting teaches you very quickly that progress rarely unfolds on your preferred timeline. Toddlers don’t walk when you want them to, teenagers don’t reply to messages when you need them to, and nobody in between ever hurries because you said “please.” Good leaders internalize the same logic. Teams learn at different speeds, projects require repetition, and people need space to make mistakes before they improve. In both domains, impatience is the illusion that reality will adjust to your mood; patience is the skill of adjusting your expectations to reality. Developmental psychology introduces the concept of “scaffolding”: building temporary support structures that help someone achieve just beyond their current level[1]. Good parents instinctively identify their child’s “zone of proximal development” and provide calibrated support. Transformational leaders do the same: they identify where each person is ready to grow, provide coaching without doing the work for them, and gradually step back as competence develops. This requires the same calibrated attunement that parenting demands. 2. Clear boundaries create psychological safety: Parents know that children thrive with consistent expectations and predictable guardrails; ambiguity breeds anxiety and chaos. The same is true at work. Teams feel safer when the rules of engagement are clear, when “no” really means no, and when leaders enforce boundaries reliably rather than arbitrarily. A boundary at home might be a bedtime; a boundary at work might be a deadline. In both settings, structure reduces stress, and consistency builds trust. Our own research in attachment theory predicts that both parents and transformational leaders fulfill two critical functions: they provide a “secure base” from which people can explore confidently, and a “safe haven” to return to when difficulties arise. This isn’t about creating dependency. Studies show that when people feel psychologically secure – knowing support is available if needed – they actually become more autonomous, creative, and willing to take risks. The leader’s availability enables independence, not dependence. 3. Listening beats lecturing: Every parent has learned the hard way that lecturing a child rarely produces enlightenment; it mostly produces eye rolls, resistance, or creative reinterpretations of your instructions. Leadership isn’t much different. People follow more readily when they feel heard, understood, and included in the problem-solving process. Just as a good parent listens to what a child is trying to say, a good leader listens to the concerns behind employees’ objections – because you can’t influence what you haven’t first understood. 4. Modeling behavior is more powerful than mandating it: Children copy what you do, not what you say; telling them to “share nicely” while you shout at traffic sends a very different message. Adults are not immune to this principle. Teams take behavioral cues from leaders: if you stay curious under pressure, they will too; if you treat others with dignity, so will they; if you panic, micromanage, or blame, the contagion spreads instantly. Parenting teaches you that you are always on stage; leadership simply gives you a bigger audience. 5. Encouragement fuels growth more than criticism: Parents quickly discover that reinforcing effort — not just outcomes — keeps children motivated and resilient. The same dynamic applies to adults: people double down on behaviors that are noticed and valued. A leader who acknowledges small wins, progress, and perseverance cultivates a culture where people want to stretch themselves. Think of encouragement as the organizational equivalent of the proud “look what you built!” moment with a child – a small gesture that accelerates confidence, capability, and engagement. The bad parenting connection Perhaps more obviously, there are some clear parallels between bad leadership and bad parenting. Here are some rather striking similarities: 1. The “Because I said so” manager: Just as authoritarian parents shut down questions with rigid commands, authoritarian leaders mistake obedience for alignment. They confuse compliance with commitment and then wonder why nobody shows initiative. 2. The inconsistent rule-setter: Parents who punish a behavior one day and ignore it the next produce anxious, confused children. Leaders who do the same create cultures where people waste more energy interpreting the boss’s mood than doing their actual job. 3. The distracted, phone-addicted caregiver: A parent who nods absentmindedly while scrolling sends a clear message: “I’m here, but not really.” Leaders who multitask through meetings, check emails while someone speaks, or “listen” with one AirPod in convey the same emotional absenteeism. 4. The praise-inflation expert: Some parents shower children with empty praise to avoid conflict; the workplace equivalent is the leader who never gives honest feedback, inflating performance reviews until they become meaningless. In both scenarios, reality eventually delivers the correction the adult avoided giving. 5. The helicopter micromanager: Just as hovering parents undermine a child’s autonomy and problem-solving skills, micromanaging leaders suffocate initiative. Both end up producing dependency, resentment, and a deep fear of making mistakes, which ironically reinforces the very behavior they complain about. A rich laboratory In the end, parenting offers an unusually rich laboratory for understanding human behavior, motivation, and development, precisely the same ingredients that make leadership effective. What parents learn through necessity, leaders can apply with intention: patience, boundaries, attentive listening, behavioral modeling, and encouragement are not “soft skills” but core mechanisms for eliciting growth in others. And the darker sides of parenting (inconsistency, distraction, micromanagement, avoidance) map almost perfectly onto the classic derailers of bad leadership. The parallels aren’t coincidental; they reflect universal principles of how humans respond to authority, structure, and care. Multiple streams of research now converge on this point. Studies demonstrate that parenting and transformational leadership share core psychological processes: both develop through creating secure bases for exploration, both transfer caregiving orientations across domains, and both produce similar developmental outcomes in their “followers”, whether children or employees. The science is clear: this isn’t metaphor, it’s measured mechanism. This is why transilience matters: the ability to draw on one dimension of the self to enrich another is a feature, not a flaw, of our complex identities. Rather than pretending our roles exist in sealed compartments, we are better off asking what each role teaches us about being more effective, more humane, and more self-aware in the others. Parenting doesn’t make you a leader, but it can make you a better one — if you’re willing to notice the patterns, learn from the mistakes, and apply the lessons where they matter most: not just at home, and not just at work, but across the full constellation of selves that make you who you are. That doesn’t mean, of course, that the next time you interview for a leadership role you should brag about being a parent, or showcase the number of children you have as evidence of managerial brilliance. Most people are still unaware of transilience and the value of transferring skills from one identity domain to another, so the connection will likely be lost on them. Still, the real advantage lies not in announcing your parental status but in internalizing the lessons it quietly teaches: managing emotions under pressure, nurturing growth, setting boundaries, and modeling the behavior you hope to inspire. These are not résumé lines; they are capabilities that, when consciously activated, enhance your effectiveness as a leader far more than any abstract leadership competency model ever could. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The rugged 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2 with GPS and Cellular is down to a record-low $549 (originally $760), making it a notably lower entry point for Apple’s most durable smartwatch—and the perfect time to invest in this adventure-ready tech wearable. 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2 with GPS and Cellular $549.00 at Amazon $760.47 Save $211.47 Get Deal Get Deal $549.00 at Amazon $760.47 Save $211.47 Powered by Apple’s S9 chip, it’s faster, larger, and more responsive than the original. A new “double tap” gesture lets wearers control the watch with their thumb and index finger to answer calls, control music, and more, which is helpful when one hand is occupied. It has a 3,000-nit display (50% brighter than its predecessor), making it easier to read in sunlight and improving visibility for small text, the compass, and the built-in flashlight. Everything is housed within a durable titanium case. This model comes with an Alpine Loop band, a lightweight nylon weave ideal for outdoor adventures. The Ultra 2 has three microphones, dual speakers, an 86-decibel emergency siren, and an underwater depth gauge of up to 40 meters compared to the Series 10’s six meters. It also supports altitudes up to 9,000 meters, compared to the predecessor’s 3,000-meter limit. According to PCMag, real-world battery testing yielded around 55 hours on a full charge, despite brightness updates—almost an entire day longer than the Apple Watch Series 10. Along with the usual stats and fitness tracking, this OS offers many preinstalled health, fitness, safety, and lifestyle tools, including sleep apnea notifications, blood oxygen readings, and training insights. If you want a bright, long-lasting, and durable smartwatch built for outdoor use with comprehensive fitness tracking and access to a wide range of Apple and third-party apps, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with GPS and Cellular is a capable choice, especially at the current discount. However, if you don’t plan to use it much for outdoor activities and its many features, the cheaper Apple Watch Series 10 at under $400 may be sufficient. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Including the five stages of an inbound marketing funnel. By August Aquila MAX: Maximize Productivity, Profitability and Client Retention Go PRO for members-only access to more August J. Aquila. View the full article

Including the five stages of an inbound marketing funnel. By August Aquila MAX: Maximize Productivity, Profitability and Client Retention Go PRO for members-only access to more August J. Aquila. View the full article

Google is updating the links within AI Mode to encourage searchers to click on those links. Google also expanded its Web Guides labs test to the all tab, you still need to opt-in to the experiment. Links in AI Mode. Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, wrote, “We’re increasing the number of inline links in AI Mode, and updating the design of those links to make them more useful.” We’ve seen Google testing variations of inline links and contextual links in AI Mode and Google is now releasing some of those user experiences. Robby Stein told us in August Google would be releasing some of these features and here they are. Google is also adding contextual introductions to embedded links in AI Mode responses. These contextual introductions are short statements that explain why a link might be helpful to visit. Here is what it looks like: Expanding Web Guide to all tab. Google initially rolled out the Web Guide feature in Google Search under the “web” tab for those who opt into the search experiment. Now, this is rolling out to the “all” tab within Google Search. You still need to be in the search experiment but it is now available in the “all” tab. We actually saw Google testing Web Guide in the all tab earlier and now it is officially happening. Google wrote, “We’ve heard positive feedback from users and websites about Web Guide, which helps people find links they may not have previously discovered and uses AI to organize links into helpful topic groups.” Google also updated Web Guide to make it twice as fast, the search company said. What is Web Guide. Google explained that Web Guide groups web links in helpful ways. It can take pages related to specific aspects of your query and group them in sections. “Web Guide uses a custom version of Gemini to better understand both a search query and content on the web, creating more powerful search capabilities that better surface web pages you may not have previously discovered,” Google told me. Web Guide also uses a query fan-out technique, like Google does with AI Mode, concurrently issuing multiple related searches to identify the most relevant results. Why we care. Encouraging clicks from Google’s AI experiences, like AI Mode and AI Overviews is very much welcomed. We hope these lead to more traffic to publishers and websites. Web Guide is also an experience that many in the search marketing community appreciate. We hope Google finds a way to roll out this experience without having to opt-in via the Search Labs. View the full article

Google is rolling out Preferred Sources globally after launching the feature in the US and India last August. Plus, Google announced a new feature Spotlighting subscriptions that highlights links from your news subscriptions within Gemini and will later come to Google Search via AI Overviewa and AI Mode. Preferred Sources. Preferred sources let searchers star sources within the Top Stories section of Google Search, and then Google will use that information to show more stories from that starred source. It was in beta in June and then rolled old in the US and India in August. It is now rolling out globally. Robby Stein, VP of Product, Google Search, wrote, “We’re now launching this feature globally: in the coming days, it will be available for English-language users worldwide, and we’ll roll it out to all supported languages early next year.” “People have selected a wide range of preferred sources — nearly 90,000 unique sources, from local blogs to global news outlets,” he added. Google told me that when someone picks a preferred source, they click to that site twice as much on average. How it works. You click the starred icon to the right of the Top Stories header in the search results. After you click the star icon, you will have the option to select your preferred sources, that is if a site is publishing fresh content. Google will then start to show you more of the latest updates from your selected sites in Top Stories “when they have new articles or posts that are relevant to your search,” Google added Spotlighting subscriptions. Google also announced Spotlighing subscriptions, it is a new feature that highlights links from your news subscriptions, “making it easier to spot content from sources you trust and helping you get more value from your subscriptions.” Google said it will also prioritize links from your subscribed publications, and show these links in a dedicated carousel. This is first coming to the Gemini app in the coming weeks, with AI Overviews and AI Mode to follow. Why we care. Top Stories can send nice traffic to publishers, so showing up as the preferred source can be a great way to see that traffic. You may want to find an acceptable way to encourage your loyal visitors to select your site as a preferred source, such as add icons to your site and newsletter informing readers they can star your site. Hopefully, this helps the publishing community find more traffic and revenue opportunities. View the full article

Your team has to talk to them every day. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Your team has to talk to them every day. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article