Leaders often struggle with the myth that they must be perfect and feel pressured to embody an unrealistic ideal image, writes Bud Caddell, the founder of NOBL, who suggests leaders humanize themselves by naming the myth, locating the source of their fears, sharing the emotional burden with their teams and envisioning a future where leadership is less taxing. "The leaders who do the most durable work are rarely the ones who feel heroic. They are the ones who have learned to separate the role from the self, to share the emotional load rather than absorb it and to stay present even when certainty isn't available," Caddell writes.

Maintaining a "brag book" to document professional achievements may help bolster your career as companies prioritize efficiency and AI. Brag books showcase employees' impact and contributions, and can help employees keep track of accomplishments, praise, and milestones -- creating a ready resource to improve performance reviews, promotion cycles and job searches.

Cultural differences shape the way networking is perceived and practiced in both the US and China. While China's guanxi system is built on long-term, emotionally rich relationships and reciprocal obligations, American networking favors brief, low-commitment interactions like coffee chats and LinkedIn messages. These structural distinctions often cause confusion and culture shock for Chinese students in the US, who may view American networking as superficial.

Amazon has announced plans to lay off around 16,000 corporate employees, marking its second significant round of job cuts in three months. The layoffs, which were unintentionally revealed through a misfired internal email, are expected to impact staff in the US, Canada and Costa Rica. In total, the two recent rounds bring Amazon's job reductions to 30,000 corporate roles, almost 10% of its corporate workforce.

Major US companies are making significant job cuts, citing overhiring during the pandemic as the primary reason. The trend is most pronounced in the tech and logistics sectors, which saw the most hiring during the pandemic. Although the job market remains relatively healthy, hiring has slowed, and those laid off are finding it harder to secure new positions.

LinkedIn has introduced an AI skills verification system that integrates directly with leading AI toolmakers. Users' proficiency is assessed through real use in partner tools such as Descript, Lovable, Relay.app and Replit, rather than traditional exams. Once verified, a certificate can be displayed on their profile.

From sister publication Kiplinger: Phone plans now often include perks such as streaming subscriptions and international roaming, but many users pay for features they rarely use. While extras can save money for some, they often come with higher base prices and long-term commitments, making it important for consumers to evaluate whether these perks align with their actual usage.

Auburn University's 1856 - Culinary Residence has made history as the first teaching restaurant in the US to be recognized by the Michelin Guide. Opened on the university's campus in Alabama, the restaurant integrates students from the hospitality school into nearly every shift, offering them hands-on roles in both kitchen and service. Its place in the guide highlights a new standard for educational dining experiences.