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Culture &amp; Workplace

Culture &amp; Workplace Archives

Culture &amp; Workplace | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Your boss just texted you about a deadline for the third time in an hour, a little snippier than you’d prefer. Or maybe your colleague totally brushed you off in a meeting, gaslighting your feelings. Or in a review, you left feeling shamed about a project you poured your whole heart into. </p>



<p>From nasty comments to more manipulative toxicity, workplace incivility is on the rise—and it’s damaging relationships and careers.</p>



<p>According to the <a href="http://www.shrm.org/content/dam/en/shrm/topics-tools/topics/civility/starter-kit/shrm-q1-2025-civility-index.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quarter 1 2025 Civility Index from SHRM</a>, a human resources organization, instances of incivility at work in the U.S. have risen more than 20% since the same time last year. But this isn’t new: A 2023 <a href="https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/07/work-mental-health-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Psychological Association</a> (APA) poll found that around 1 in 5 employees call their workplace “toxic.” </p>



<p>This means if you’ve been leaving work feeling terrible, you aren’t alone. </p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-incivility-in-the-workplace">What is incivility in the workplace?</h2>



<p>Examples of incivility in the workplace include gaslighting, shaming and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-manage-micromanagers/">micromanaging</a> amongst co-workers, bosses or others in the work environment. The SHRM index rates the level of incivility at U.S. workplaces on a scale starting with “incivility is rare” and ranging through it being more commonplace (a “take action” level), through severe and constant, which they call “code red.” </p>



<p>The chart included in the report aims to communicate to both bosses and employees that incivility at work is contributing to a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-red-flag-phrases-that-scream-toxic-work-culture/">toxic workplace culture</a>, which can impact everything from employee health and satisfaction to turnover rates and, therefore, company profits. Additionally, the APA poll mentioned above reported that almost 1 in 3 people have witnessed negative insults or jokes that devalue identity or negate someone’s thoughts or background.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-does-workplace-incivility-cost">How much does workplace incivility cost?</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.shrm.org/content/dam/en/shrm/topics-tools/topics/civility/starter-kit/shrm-q1-2025-civility-index-abstract.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHRM estimates</a> that "U.S. organizations collectively lose approximately $1,313,833,094 per day in reduced productivity due to uncivil behaviors at work." This is due to absenteeism and lack of employee productivity as a result of workplace environments subject to incivility. </p>



<p>There are other less obvious costs, of course, on a personal level that employees themselves often incur, including mental health care that may be required to undo workplace damage and trauma. According to <a href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/toxic-culture-is-driving-the-great-resignation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>, during the Great Resignation, toxic corporate culture was the greatest driving force, costing companies handsomely in attrition rates and hiring costs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-causes-incivility-in-the-workplace">What causes incivility in the workplace?</h2>



<p>The index points to five specific aspects of modern life that workers are allowing to infiltrate the workplace. It also reports that nearly 6 in 10 people think our wider society is uncivil, and this workplace issue simply reflects that.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These aspects include:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Racial or ethnic differences</li>



<li>Political viewpoints</li>



<li>Gender differences</li>



<li>Difference in opinion on social issues</li>



<li>Age or generational differences</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-you-contributing-to-incivility-at-work">Are you contributing to incivility at work?</h2>



<p>While everyone likes to point fingers at others, it’s important to look in the mirror to ensure you aren’t contributing to the problem, even unknowingly. Start by learning about the different ways employees, colleagues or leaders might perceive incivility coming from you, such as gathering information through company surveys or direct conversation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Once you learn some phrases and actions that might be contributing to incivility, you can better recognize patterns in yourself, such as with gaslighting others. This involves questioning or demeaning someone’s morality, sanity or sense of self, <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gaslighting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Clinic</a> reports. If you <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/gaslighting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">find yourself saying</a> things like: “I was just joking around,” “Why are you so sensitive?” “Don’t take it personally,” “You don’t really mean that,” “Calm down,” or “I’m sorry you feel that way,” you might be participating in gaslighting.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-address-incivility-in-the-workplace">How to address incivility in the workplace</h2>



<p>First, if you are a supervisor, understand your responsibility and ethical obligation to act when you notice incivility at work. SHRM reports 71% of respondents in their report think their supervisor could have done more to prevent incivility. Leaders can and should create <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/setting-boundaries-at-work/">clear boundaries</a> around communication between team members, and norms such as not discussing politics at work. SHRM also shares that teaching some cultural norms, such as using “I” statements like “I feel…” can shift the vibe at work.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you are experiencing incivility from a co-worker, make sure you tell your direct supervisor, and keep track of the dates and instances of these occurrences in the event HR becomes involved. If your supervisor isn’t responding or doing enough to help, consider speaking directly to HR about the issue or asking what the next steps might be for your particular business.</p>



<p>Finally, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/unlearning-silence-at-work/">speak up</a> directly to the person bothering you by clearly stating the issue, how you feel, and what you’d like to see changed. You can also <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-wicked-teaches-us-about-workplace-allyship/">stand up for others</a> who are experiencing discrimination. Your co-workers just might learn something from it too.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by fizkes/Shutterstock</em></p>

From nasty comments to manipulative toxicity, workplace incivility is on the rise. Learn about its causes and solutions here!

Workplace incivility at work is rising fast. Discover what’s causing it, how it impacts teams and what you can do to address it head-on. | SUCCESS

Why Workplace Incivility Is On the Rise &amp; How To Handle It

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Everything You Need To Know About Workplace Incivility | SUCCESS

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Alexandra Frost is a Cincinnati-based freelance journalist and content strategist, focusing on health and wellness, parenting, education, business, environment, and lifestyle. She has been published in the New York Times, Atlantic, Washington Post, Glamour, Today’s Parent, Reader’s Digest, Consumer Reports, Women’s Health, and National Geographic. She spends her “free” time with her five kids under age 10, and coaching others on the ins and outs of media and content marketing. To connect or read more of her work please visit www.alexandra-frost.com.

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Alex Frost

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AI &amp; Technology

AI &amp; Technology Archives

AI &amp; Technology | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>We all want to do better at work—and in life, really. But traditional <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-professional-development/">professional development</a> courses can be soul-sucking and aren’t the only way to improve. Sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands when it comes to upping our efficiency, streamlining our workflow or integrating tech tools.</p>



<p>We reached out to other businesspeople to see what products and tools have helped them stay at the top of their work game. Here’s what they shared:</p>



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<p><em><strong>Breaking:</strong> <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-ai-projects-fail-and-how-to-succeed/">What Percentage Of AI Projects Fail? The Shocking Truth You Need To Know</a></em></p>



<div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-customized-learning">1. Customized learning</h2>



<p>You never want to go stagnant on learning new skills, so options like <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/for-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MasterClass at Work</a> are a great way to customize education for your teams or organizations. The online platform offers classes on topics like leadership, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-personal-development/">personal development</a>, creativity and communication, all taught by industry leaders. Lessons can be customized to meet team goals so you can improve employee engagement and retention. Prices start at $10 per month for one device; contact the company for group rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-tests-with-personality">2. Tests with personality</h2>



<p>Remember when the Enneagram was all the rage a few years back? It had a way of helping you gain insight into your own personality while helping others understand you at the same time. While personality typing isn’t new, tests from <a href="http://personality.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Personality.co</a> can still help teams function better by allowing them to understand their colleagues more fully. The monthly plan is $30 for one person; contact the company for group rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-embrace-your-creativity-more-efficiently">3. Embrace your creativity more efficiently</h2>



<p>Need a professional-looking graphic but limited on time? <a href="https://www.canva.com/pro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canva Pro</a> can help you create eye-catching designs quickly and provides access to high-quality content, design tools and AI. This resource is a go-to for those hoping to produce outstanding designs without all the complicated software. The platform can be leveraged for social posts, slideshows and more. This premium app costs $120 per year for one person, but also offers a free version with limited features.</p>



<p>“During one campaign, we used Canva to make 30 social media images that looked good together in less than three hours,” says Jake Ward, online marketing professional and founder of <a href="https://kleo.so/">Kleo</a>, a free browser extension for consuming and creating content on LinkedIn. “This saved us almost 40% on design costs.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-an-integrated-business-platform">4. An integrated business platform</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.hubspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HubSpot</a> is an AI-powered platform that helps businesses focus on their customers. It has software, integrations and resources to connect your marketing, sales, customer service and other teams. Each team can see the same unified view of the customer at all stages of their journey, which saves time, thanks to streamlined processes and automation. There’s a free version of the platform, but the paid version(s) range from $15 to $3,600 per month, depending on how many seats you buy and the types of software you choose.</p>



<p>“I can see in real time how campaigns are doing, where leads are in the pipeline and what is truly generating conversions instead of having to manually track every interaction or transfer between platforms,” says Arthur Favier, founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.oppizi.com/us/en/">Oppizi,</a> a startup that digitizes offline marketing. “Making data-driven decisions has always been more difficult in offline marketing, so that kind of clarity is quite helpful.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-conquer-social-media-posting-schedules">5. Conquer social media posting schedules</h2>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/build-relationships-first-how-to-sell-on-social-media/">Social media</a> might be the necessary evil of the business world, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Products like <a href="https://buffer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buffer</a> can help you create content and schedule it on popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. The platform also helps you respond to comments quickly and understand analytics related to your socials. The free version gives you 10 scheduled posts per channel per month. The paid versions cost $5 (for one person) or $10 (for a team) monthly and give you unlimited posts.</p>



<p>“Using Buffer’s reporting features, we analyzed audience activity patterns and optimized posting times across three different industries,” says Ward. “This data-driven approach resulted in a 35% boost in click-through rates and a 12% increase in conversions over three months.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-a-better-way-to-collate-your-reading-list">6. A better way to collate your reading list</h2>



<p>You meant to read that article later. But where did you save it? <a href="https://hq.getmatter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matter</a> is a content aggregation app that pulls together multiple articles, podcast episodes and videos into an aesthetically pleasing and accessible format. You can even have your newsletters sent straight to the app.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s a free version, but the paid version ($8 per month or $60 per year) offers extra features, like transcribing podcast episodes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-say-thank-you-with-style">7. Say thank you with style</h2>



<p>In the digital world, a handwritten note from your company can really stand out. <a href="https://www.handwrytten.com/business/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Handwrytten</a> can send notes in calligraphic fonts to clients four or more times a year on stationery or on cards bearing your logo. The platform can integrate with productivity tools like Salesforce and Hubspot. Many price points are available, including $3.25 for one card and $373 per month for 100 cards.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by</em> <em>Vadym Pastukh/iStock.com</em></p>



<p></p>

From social media scheduling to integrated business platforms, discover the best productivity tools to help you work smarter in 2026 & beyond.

From social media scheduling to integrated business platforms, learn our experts’ 7 best productivity tools to help you work smarter. | SUCCESS

The 7 Best Productivity Tools to Help You Work Smarter in 2026

The 7 Best Productivity Tools to Help You Work Smarter in 2026 | SUCCESS

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Confident businesswoman works on a PR strategy for her small business

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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship Archives

Entrepreneurship | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>You’ve built your business. You have a killer product or service, and you’re ready for your customers to start pouring in. And then…crickets. </p>



<p>You may have come to the part as a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/tips-and-resources-to-scale-your-small-business/">small business owner</a> where you realize that it doesn't matter how great you are if nobody knows about you. That’s where public relations, or PR, comes in. Yet, sometimes major PR firms quote prices that are beyond what a small business can afford, with <a href="https://avaansmedia.com/how-much-does-a-pr-agency-cost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">some reports</a> showing even smaller boutique agencies costing $120,000 annually.</p>



<p>For those who can’t afford PR, but know they need it to move their business to the next level, there might be another way, according to the cofounders of <a href="http://www.visibilityonpurpose.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Visibility on Purpose</a>. Lydia Bagarozza and Bridget Aileen Sicsko started their media training company as a way to combat unaffordable PR costs of some PR agencies, and to teach small business owners how to do much of it themselves instead. </p>



<p>“Built for brands with a face behind them, we support founders who want meaningful media attention and we teach them how to create a personalized PR strategy by dedicating just a few focused hours each week,” Bagarozza says.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-it-started">How it started</h2>



<p>When Sicsko first met Bagarozza, Sicsko was running a publishing house for authors who wanted to self-publish books. “As a part of my marketing strategy, I’d go live on Facebook each week and talk about the importance of visibility for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-your-personal-brand/">personal brands</a>. One afternoon, Lydia DMed me, mentioning how much she loved my content,” Sicsko says. “After a couple Zoom calls, we realized there was a huge need for brands that didn’t necessarily have the budget for a big PR campaign but still wanted to be visible outside of their social media pages.”</p>



<p>“They all came to us running into the same frustrating block of plateauing on their social media pages and wanting to grow beyond their Instagram followings. Another problem we’d often hear is them wanting to invest in PR, but after getting quoted over $30k – $60k packages, knew that a big agency wasn’t the immediate path for them,” Sicsko says. Their <a href="https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/pitchparty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DIY package</a> is considerably less and they offer quite a <a href="https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/freeresources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">few free resources</a> and a podcast as well.</p>



<p>Bagarozza did hesitate at first, worried she’d be “judged” by others in the field for getting something like this going. “This industry has been gatekept for so long, and many veterans are deeply protective of the relationships, contacts and strategies they’ve built. I used to feel the same way…” she says. “[But] I realized we’re all out here competing for attention online, and if we truly want to build a world that empowers small businesses and supports one another, we need to create content that helps inform brands to make better decisions for their growth strategy. One where<em> </em>everyone has a seat at the table and greater access to the tools that make visibility possible.”</p>



<p>Today, they’ve had hundreds of brands consume their educational content. and even hear from their audience that they’ve gotten press placements for their business, which Sicsko says is “so rewarding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pr-steps-you-can-take-on-your-own">PR steps you can take on your own</h2>



<p><a href="http://www.bridgeayurveda.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bridgette Ochoa</a>, an ayurveda practitioner, occupational therapist and client of Visibility on Purpose, based in Los Angeles, approached Visibility on Purpose to get more exposure. “I decided the DIY route because I was looking for a life-long skill. As they say, ‘give someone a fish, you feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish, you feed them for a lifetime,’” Ochoa says. The PR program worked—within eight weeks, she was featured in major publications. “That’s huge,” she says.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Here’s what she did and what the DIY PR team recommends others try:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-clear-on-branding">Get clear on branding</h3>



<p>You can’t sell what you don’t understand, and it’s highly unlikely customers and clients will understand what you’re selling if you can’t properly define and explain it. That’s where <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/brand-strategy-principles/">branding</a> comes in. “We first start by helping the founders get very clear on their branding. We have training and modules on finding their differentiators and brand positioning,” Bagarozza says. Sicsko says you should get your brand assets compiled, which “includes your titles, headshots, product images, professional website, social pages and an email. And whatever you do, please do not use your old AOL email from 20+ years ago,” she says. “This needs to be a branded, professional address.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Part of branding is creating an “I help” statement that quickly shares with leads what you do and who you help. “We have seen many ‘I help’ statements over the years that just aren’t juicy enough or portray the core essence of a brand. Our rule of thumb is if you can swap out your ‘I help’ statement with other companies in your industry, it isn’t personalized enough,” Sicsko says.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Not sure where to start? Bagarozza says it’s important to ask yourself what values are most important to you and who and what you want your brand to be known as online.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-determine-your-pr-goals">Determine your PR goals</h3>



<p>Not all PR is the same. So, figuring out what your end goal is can help you get started. Bagarozza says they help businesses with this step by creating a personalized plan. “We actually have a fun quiz called, <a href="https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/media-personality-quiz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Media Personality Quiz,</a> which helps founders understand what kind of press makes sense for their brand,” she says. List the type of coverage and publications you’d like to be in.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-write-your-first-pitch">Write your first pitch</h3>



<p>A pitch is an email sent to someone in the media, such as a journalist or editor, representing the publication you are hoping to be published in. Sometimes you can work backwards to find writers and editors in those publications, looking for their emails and sending your pitch, but Bagarozza recommends focusing on strong hooks—the leading part of the email that grabs attention—as well as what differentiates your business. Sicsko adds you should look for a “press-worthy story angle or big idea” to write about.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-build-relationships">Build relationships</h3>



<p>It’s not called public “relations” for nothing—a key part is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-network-101/">building a network</a> of people in media and other industries to get the word out about your company. “We’re big believers in the saying ‘work smarter, not harder.’ If a writer interviews you, take the time to thank them, follow them on social media and build a genuine connection. When you do that, you increase the chances they’ll come back to you the next time they need a source in your field,” Bagarozza says. But she says it doesn’t stop there. They also prioritize podcast outreach in their training so brands can thrive on that platform as well, building real relationships with hosts for future collaborations and potentially, future clients.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-play-the-long-game">Play the long game</h3>



<p>It’s not super practical to jump into a PR strategy with the expectations of seeing increased sales tomorrow or maybe even next month. “Consistency is important. PR is a long game and it takes time for the media to get to know you and your brand,” Bagarozza says.<strong> “</strong>Just pitching for one week isn’t going to land you a full page spread in your favorite magazine… I mean, it could, but it isn’t typical. Every media win is a stepping stone to the next, and if you’re consistent with your PR strategy, the growth is very much worth it.” Instead, try sending a pitch each day, or building a few pitches to try out what works and what doesn’t over time.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highlight-your-wins">Highlight your wins</h3>



<p>If you do get featured in a media placement, make it known. Bagarozza recommends not skimping on your website updates and socials. “This includes: updating your website with featured logos, sharing your press wins on social media, adding ‘as seen in’ to your marketing materials and bio and engaging with your audience around your features,” she says.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-know-when-it-s-time-to-pull-in-the-experts">Know when it’s time to pull in the experts</h3>



<p>DIY PR isn’t for everyone, and if you don’t have the bandwidth to truly run your business while doing a full PR campaign, it might make sense to hire someone, whether it’s a PR assistant or a full agency. You might also find that you are doing PR in a vacuum, rather than part of a larger marketing strategy. “PR is not a quick fix to big sales and stardom. In fact, it’s just one part of a larger brand growth strategy,” Bagarozza says. “We like to think of marketing, social media, sales and PR as cousins or best friends. Yes, getting featured puts you in front of new audiences and gives you an SEO boost, but it’s just as important to do your part on the other fronts for the health of your business.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bagarozza says, “There are a lot of pieces when it comes to building a long-term brand, but when you treat PR like a part of a full-circle strategy, the impact is powerful.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by David Gyung/Shutterstock.</em></p>

Can’t afford PR, but want to get your small business to the next level? Try these strategies from the cofounders of Visibility on Purpose!

If you need PR for your small business but can’t afford to splurge, read on for expert advice on the best steps to DIY your own PR strategy. | SUCCESS

PR is Too Expensive for Some Small Businesses. Here's How to DIY It.

PR is Too Expensive for Some Small Businesses. Here&#8217;s How to DIY It.

How To Do PR For a Small Business | SUCCESS

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Philanthropy

Philanthropy Archives

Philanthropy | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Billions of dollars of research go into the psychology behind spending. Why do we buy the products and services we do? What actually draws us to a brand? Those same principles of the psychology of influence apply not only to business marketing but also to philanthropy.</p>



<p>The same drive we have to purchase that new pair of shoes or invest in a course from our favorite influencer can be channeled to motivate people to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/ways-to-give-back-to-your-community/">donate to charities</a> making a difference and to dig into local and global issues to improve the circumstances around us.</p>



<p><a href="http://roryvaden.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rory Vaden</a>, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author and co-founder of <a href="http://brandbuildersgroup.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brand Builders Group</a> with his wife, AJ, spends his days advising individuals how to leverage these principles to become <a href="https://freebrandaudiobook.com/SUCCESS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Wealthy and Well-Known</em></a>, also the title of the couple’s new book rising up the charts. This summer, Vaden pulled back the curtain to reveal the secrets of building influence and income for <em>SUCCESS</em>® readers.</p>



<p>Now, he’s pivoting to teach us how to use it for good—and to motivate ourselves and others to get involved in the causes that mean the most to us.</p>



<p>“You never hit the peak of service,” he says. “You never reach the culmination…. I think it’s important for all <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-nonprofit-organization/">nonprofits</a> to realize that while it’s always inspiring to serve the many, their work is still worth it even if it serves just one person.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-a-cause"><strong>Choosing a cause</strong></h2>



<p>The potential causes to support are endless, and every day there’s more work to be done. Kids are starving across the globe. Entire war-torn regions are suffering. People still can’t access clean water. In his first book, <a href="https://amzn.to/47Ie5fb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success</em></a>, Vaden says, “Success is never owned. It is rented, and the rent is due every day. No matter how much money we all give to charity, until every person, until every person on this planet is fed, and every orphan has a family, and every widow is taken care of and every disease is cured, there’s more work to be done,” Vaden says.</p>



<p>According to him, everyone should be <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-give-back-purposefully/">motivated to give</a> and help because he calls philanthropy the most “mature form” of motivation. While competition, ambition and recognition are great and motivate many people, he says, ultimately they are unfulfilling without a mission.</p>



<p>Choosing a cause is simple, he says, “Solve the problem that breaks your heart…. We believe that whatever breaks your heart breaks your heart for a reason.” He explains that people are “hardwired” to care more about some causes than others. With that in mind, take note of what grabs your attention, recognize the signal to care and do something about it, he says.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-start-small"><strong>Start small</strong></h2>



<p>So, what breaks the Vadens’ hearts? Child trafficking is often top of mind for the couple. “[It] just destroys us… we feel like we have to do something about that,” he says. But just as Vaden can’t end all child trafficking, people who care about important causes sometimes feel they can’t give enough to make a real difference.</p>



<p>Vaden says the Dollar Club, through Cross Point Church in Nashville, is a cause directly combating that thought process though, and is one he and AJ love supporting. The idea is simple, yet life-changing for recipients. Once a month, everyone is asked to donate one single dollar, and all of that money is pooled together to fill one very specific need in the community. “Dollar Club is crushing it and making a huge difference!” For example, they provided a family with $10,000 for medical bills and another family with a much-needed car, all with $1 donations at the root of fundraising.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-an-entire-team-behind-a-mission"><strong>Get an entire team behind a mission</strong></h2>



<p>Does your company retreat start with a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/importance-of-community-service/">service project</a>? Gathering your team of employees around a cause, such as simply giving a dollar to a specific mission, can be an easy lift that helps engage employees and motivate them to get more involved in philanthropy as individuals and as a group. Rory says you can often find AJ leading service projects with their team such as stuffing bags for the homeless and giving them out.</p>



<p>“[Going] as a team into… a rougher neighborhood, [everyone] is like ‘whoa,’ and it helps create gratitude, teamwork and then contribution to give back,” he says.</p>



<p>You can also help automate giving as a part of company culture, he shares, such as using direct withdrawal from paychecks to specific causes and matching employee giving.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-fundamental-brand-building-principles"><strong>Use fundamental brand building principles</strong></h2>



<p>Captivating storytelling. Immediacy. These are just a few of the principles of branding and marketing that directly apply to philanthropy and should be prioritized by those trying to promote and advance different causes, Vaden says.</p>



<p>For example, Dollar Club does tear-jerking interviews with those affected, so people who donate see the direct impact, and they share those videos as quickly as possible, for immediacy.</p>



<p>“Immediacy is powerful… [as is] emotion,” he says. “Tell the story of one person. Saying we donated $100,000 to the Red Cross is far less compelling than telling the story of one family who lost their home, tell us who they are and what happened.”</p>



<p>He recommends motivating others by telling those “granular” stories, focusing on localized impact or how a single life was changed. “That’s how you move the masses,” he says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-give-without-fear"><strong>Give without fear</strong></h2>



<p>Vaden paints a common picture of someone wanting to give to a homeless person but hesitating because of what the recipient might do with it—“[they say] I’m afraid he’s just going to buy booze with it.” This is where his faith comes in. “At least as a Christian, I feel like we’re not called to assess people’s motives. We’re called to give,” he says.</p>



<p>Another common concern is giving when you aren’t sure you have enough. Yet, he says even if you aren’t religious, just from an “altruistic” side, helping others in need is just “financial intelligence.”</p>



<p>“View money as a tool and less of a source of safety, identity and self-worth,” he says, sharing that when people are too attached to it, and too afraid of losing it, they can’t “let go” and invest in other causes. Practicing emotionally detaching from it helps you develop a stronger relationship, ultimately becoming more productive and helpful with your money, he says. “When you give money, I very much believe it is one of the most important catalysts to you attracting and making more money. It’s a paradox.”</p>



<p>Finally, some people worry they won’t be able to give enough to have a real impact. “Do for one what you wish you could do for everybody,” Vaden says. “The roadblock is—there’s so much need… Why should I donate $5? What is my $5 going to do? But give your $5 to one person on the street…. If we all do that, it adds up.”</p>



<p>Vaden points to theories like Darren Hardy’s <a href="https://amzn.to/42t3cu9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Compound Effect</em></a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/4386frM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Slight Edge</em></a> theory and the power of compound interest as support.</p>



<p>“If it makes a difference for one person, it’s worth it,” he says.</p>



<p>So, even if it’s that single dollar to the Dollar Club or a service project as a work team, giving without fear of what will happen next is a place to start, Vaden shares. “Your highest self is when you’re being your highest value to others.”&nbsp;</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by ©Nick Onken</em>. <em>Enjoy free access to read the SUCCESS® Digital Edition in its entirety at <a href="https://labs.success.com/november2025">SUCCESS® Labs</a>.</em></p>

Learn how to use principles of influence and brand-building psychology to inspire others, select the right causes, and lead impactful charitable giving.

Learn how Rory Vaden applies psychology to inspire giving, choose causes that matter and turn small acts of generosity into real change. | SUCCESS

Motivated to Give: Rory Vaden’s Guide to Philanthropy

Rory Vaden Shares How to Motivate Others to Give Back | SUCCESS

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female agent working in a call centre with good customer service

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>Recently, Jasmine Charbonier, a pet owner in Tampa, Florida, lost her elderly cat. She tried to return an unopened bag of prescription food. But the food company, Chewy, said no—instead, they told her to donate it to a shelter and gave her the refund anyway, but didn’t stop there. “They sent me a beautiful hand-painted portrait of my cat based on a photo from my account, along with a heartfelt sympathy card. I literally burst into tears,” she says.</p>



<p>New Jersey pet owner Michele C. Hollow got a call from the company when she ordered half of her usual cat food order. One of her cats had passed away. After finding this out, the rep sent flowers the next day with multiple signatures from Chewy staff.</p>







<p>Chewy’s gestures above aren’t random or isolated incidents. Instead, they’re part of a cohesive and intentional strategy. “If you're building for the long term, investing in customer experience isn't optional—it's essential,” says Diane Pelkey, head of communications at Chewy. “Customers remember how you made them feel. That <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/customer-love-how-to-take-your-business-from-good-to-great/">emotional connection</a> drives their loyalty and defines your brand.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Her company’s philosophy is backed by research. A <a href="https://khoros.com/blog/must-know-customer-service-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 survey</a> from customer engagement experts Khoros found that 83% of consumers said that good customer service had the most important impact on their decision to buy. The survey also found that 86% of consumers became long-term buyers after a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-makes-good-customer-service/">good customer service</a> experience.</p>



<p>Here’s what top-notch customer service teams know about building loyalty that also improves the bottom line.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-a-complaint-is-an-opportunity-nbsp">1. A complaint is an opportunity&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A <a href="https://www.coveo.com/en/pdf?file=/-/media/library/files/reports/customer-service-relevance-report-2023/csr_2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 report</a> from Coveo, an AI search platform, found that only 56% of 4,000 consumers surveyed actually complained when they experienced poor service. The rest of respondents reported “ghosting” the company and using a competitor instead. Respondents shared it only took two negative customer service experiences to have them abandon a company.</p>



<p>When they do give negative feedback, that’s an opportunity, according to Lacy Eyre, director of client success at Aventus in Charleston, South Carolina. “A well-handled setback can turn a one-time buyer into a long-term brand advocate,” she explains. “Imagine this: A customer contacts your service team upset about a delayed order. The rep listens, empathizes, offers a quick solution and maybe even throws in a personal touch. Suddenly, that customer feels valued, seen and understood. This isn’t just a resolution; it’s an opportunity to wow them and turn a negative experience into a comeback.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-pay-attention-to-your-customer-service-team-nbsp">2. Pay attention to your customer service team&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“If you want to know what's working and what's not, look no further than your customer service team. They are the first line of defense when things go right or wrong, the frontline warriors who can take your brand’s reputation to soaring heights or drive it into the ground,” Eyre says.</p>



<p>“Every complaint, every suggestion is an opportunity to evolve. If you ignore this invaluable feedback, you're essentially putting your business on autopilot. But when you embrace it, you're setting yourself up for sustained growth and innovation,” she says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-fun-social-media-can-make-people-loyal">3. Fun social media can make people loyal</h2>



<p>Customer service isn’t all doom, gloom and aggravated customers. Meg St-Esprit, a Pittsburgh-based mom of four, found out McDonald’s is on its social media game, and was impressed by the brand’s <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-improve-customer-service-7-ways-to-take-your-mission-beyond-words/">customer engagement practices</a>. After a representative from the fast food chain saw a tweet of hers, the brand reached out to send her kids McDonald’s swag.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When this box showed up, they were just bowled over. The box had all sorts of fun red and yellow paper confetti in it, a hoodie for each of them and some gift cards for us to get dinner that night,” she says. “I think they felt like YouTube stars with some type of brand partnership or something—for weeks they chose to wear their hoodies in unison like a little roving marketing team.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Even given my previously positive opinion of the company, it certainly elevated my opinion of their team,” St-Esprit says. “They're also clearly out there, on social media, connecting with customers. That tells me they are tuned in to what's going on.”</p>



<p>Similarly, interactive calendar company Skylight shared that one <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@onedaemoore/video/7389744034647903531" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikToker</a> went viral after she accidentally received three extra Skylight calendars in her shipment. According to Skylight’s PR team, the client returned them, “restoring everyone’s faith in humanity.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Skylight President Aviv Gilboa responded immediately and offered to send calendars to three of the client’s loved ones, hand-delivered her a new unopened calendar she was on the waitlist for and gifted her a free Skylight Plus lifetime subscription to thank her for her integrity.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-show-customers-your-sense-of-humor-nbsp">4. Show customers your sense of humor&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If you find yourself on hold at ItsEasy Passport &amp; Visa Services, you’re in for a whole experience. Narrated by founder David Alwadish, the hold message features customer stories and educational content about passports and visas, interwoven with songs from classic artists such as Earth, Wind &amp; Fire, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and Gloria Gaynor.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“One of our executive customers was so inspired by the on-hold message that he wanted his entire staff to hear it—not only to better manage their personal and business travel, but also as a model for how to truly serve customers,” Alwadish says. “With this recording, we are excited to bring back the passion behind great customer service—something that’s been missing since the days Sam Walton was holding the door open for customers at Walmart.”</p>



<p>You can expect to hear lyrics to Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” as they detail passport woes, for example. The entire recording is 52 minutes, but luckily the company shares that customers are only ever on hold for a few of those minutes. “I got carried away with the effort because I had so much to share,” Alwadish adds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-wow-them-with-a-personalized-experience">5. Wow them with a personalized experience</h2>



<p>In the digital age where you can bulk email millions of people at once, a tailored, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ways-to-thrill-your-customers/">personalized customer experience</a> stands out. Recent <a href="https://www.deloittedigital.com/us/en/insights/research/personalizing-growth.html?id=us:2el:3dp:wsjspon:awa:WSJCMO:2022:WSJFY23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> from Deloitte has found that companies that personalized the customer experience were 71% more likely to have customer loyalty and 48% more likely to have exceeded revenue goals.</p>



<p>“If your customers feel like they're just a number, just another ticket to close, that’s when you lose. Poor customer service leads directly to churn, lost revenue and negative word of mouth,” Eyre says. “In a world where consumers have countless options at their fingertips, if your team doesn’t go above and beyond, they’ll simply move on to a competitor who does. With the evolution of e-commerce and the shift toward personalized experiences, people now expect genuine connections with brands. They want to feel like more than a transaction.”</p>



<p>GiAnna Orangio, vice president of The Dana Agency in Miami, shares a story of a couple who loved their trip experience so much, they named their child after the hotel they stayed at—Arlo. So, when the couple returned, they were met with balloons for the child’s first birthday and an upgraded room, demonstrating the “importance of thoughtful, personalized gestures in the world of hospitality,” she says.</p>



<p>Similarly, Erik Wright, founder and CEO of New Horizon Home Buyers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, remembers an “elderly widow” selling her 43-year-old home after her husband’s recent death. After his team noticed military decorations they learned her husband was a Vietnam War veteran. “At closing, we presented her with a customized shadow box containing her husband's service medals, professionally restored photographs that we had printed from albums that she had pulled out to share with us and a donation certificate to a veterans' organization in her husband's name. She was moved to tears, subsequently referring three of her friends to our company, and she is still in contact years later.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Wright calls the cost of the shadow box “inconsequential” compared to the newly formed relationships and the additional business it brought. “We've since implemented a company-wide ‘meaningful memories’ program where sellers assign personal touches to commemorate each seller's unique situation.”</p>



<p>So, whether it’s a shadow box, bouquet of flowers or a simple validating phone call with a human representative and not an AI bot, customer service might be your next key area of focus.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock</em></p>



<p></p>

Discover the exact strategies used by top-notch customer service teams that build loyalty while also improving the bottom line.

These customer service strategies use empathy, humor and personal touches to turn everyday interactions into long-term customer loyalty. | SUCCESS

5 Strategies Customer Service Teams Use to Build Lifelong Loyalty

5 Customer Service Retention Strategies You Must Try Today! | SUCCESS

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A small business owner sits at a desk in his place of business holding a bowl with one hand and using his laptop with his other hand

<p>Nearly <a href="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">half of American workers</a> are employed by a small business. These companies have been called the heart of the American economy, and data supports their longevity and success. In fact, a <a href="https://www.uschamber.com/small-business/small-business-data-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 report</a> from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that 67% of small business owners say their business has enough cash flow right now, and 65% say their business is in “good health.”</p>



<p>Marketing is a key part of these small businesses’ growth plans. That’s why VistaPrint and Wix have teamed up to release the new <a href="https://small-business-marketing.vistaprint.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Small Business Marketing Guide</a>, a report that shows how small business owners are navigating today’s marketing landscape and planning for what’s next.</p>



<p>After surveying 1,000 U.S.-based small business owners and 1,000 U.S. consumers, the two companies found that resilience and growth are top of mind for small businesses this year. In fact, their top priorities for 2025 include acquiring customers, refining services and launching new products. But what’s working isn’t highly technical marketing schemes and tools. Instead, it’s genuine connections, according to <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/e-shea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Erin Shea</a>, head of North America marketing for VistaPrint.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The intangibles matter just as much,” she says. “According to our research, consumers are naturally drawn to businesses that feel approachable and human. They want to shop small to support the local economy because they value outstanding service and a product they can’t find elsewhere.” In fact, the report shows that 54% of consumers are shopping at small businesses because they want to support their local community, and 46% “trust small businesses and sole traders more than large corporations.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Here are the strategies that small businesses are trying and succeeding with, as well as where to expect growth for the rest of 2025 and beyond.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grow-online-connections">Grow online connections</h2>



<p>While it seems obvious that most <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/low-cost-business-ideas/">small businesses</a> would rely on online connections to grow, digital visibility is more important now than ever. In fact, according to VistaPrint and Wix’s report, 55% of Gen Zers want online shopping opportunities over in-person ones, which reflects a shift from online products and services being a nice-to-have to a must-have. (Currently, Gen Z is the only generation to prefer this.)</p>



<p>In addition, over half of customers say that they want small businesses to increase their digital footprint, so according to the report, you shouldn’t “neglect your website or socials.”</p>



<p>“One of the biggest takeaways is just how much audience understanding is driving success,” Shea says. “The report makes it incredibly clear that ‘small business marketing’ isn’t one audience or one journey—it’s completely dependent on who you’re trying to reach.”</p>



<p>Using digital marketing to attract more customers is also a top priority for small businesses. This is because around half of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/reimagining-education-for-gen-z-in-the-age-of-ai/">Gen Z</a> consumers use social media to connect with businesses, compared to 11% of baby boomers. Conversely, 38% of baby boomers still prefer direct mail or flyers. Because of this, small businesses that are looking to target a wide variety of audiences might need two marketing strategies running at once for two different audiences, while those with a more targeted demographic can use this research to meet their potential customers where they are.</p>



<p>But you should also remember to “keep social media social. Don’t be the social media equivalent of the person at the party selling their thing. Nobody likes that person,” says <a href="https://www.photocg.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christina Gressianu</a>, a photographer and small business owner in Colorado. “Show up online with generosity. Answer the questions people are asking about your industry or are afraid to ask. Use your website, your email list and social media to build relationships. And gently let people know how to buy when they’re ready.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborate-with-other-small-businesses">Collaborate with other small businesses</h2>



<p>Sometimes the small business next door can be your—and their own—ticket to success. </p>



<p>Wix and Vistaprint’s report also shows that 55% of customers would like to see more collaboration between small businesses, noting that it deepens both reach and relationships for each business involved in the partnership.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jessica Hill, owner and founder of <a href="https://www.theparentcollective.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parent Collective</a>, has seen this type of joint success firsthand. The Parent Collective in particular often engages in joint workshops, cross-promotions and bundled offerings with other organizations, she says, in an atmosphere of expansiveness over competitiveness.</p>



<p>“We’re all serving the same families, just in different ways,” she adds. “By coming together, we amplify each other’s reach and create a more holistic support system for the people we’re trying to help.”</p>



<p>Gressianu also recommends choosing opportunities to collaborate carefully—you should only do it if it’s “very strategic” and “makes sense to the customer.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Small business owners sometimes get distracted by shiny things,” she says. “I really encourage us all to make sure we’re not stepping over dollars to pick up pocket change. Ask the hard questions: What will it take to do this thing? What can we expect to gain? What would we gain if we put that time, money [and] energy into our core offering? See how those answers compare.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-involved-in-community-issues">Get involved in community issues</h2>



<p>If small businesses are the “heart” of their communities, are they also involved in community issues and challenges?&nbsp;From sponsoring local school events to pitching in when something challenging or tragic happens, and even getting involved in local elections, small businesses have a unique opportunity for improved visibility and influence.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There is no better way to show commitment to the community than being present in the room,”&nbsp;says Melissa Cossette, a small business coach and the founder of <a href="https://www.maxeventconsulting.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAX Event Consulting</a>. “Not every event needs to lead to a sale. Sharing space with people who care about a mutual cause naturally deepens connections. Small businesses can host or co-host events that highlight their expertise while tying into initiatives such as awareness, education, fundraising or celebration.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-technology-and-freelancers-to-keep-staffing-costs-down">Use technology and freelancers to keep staffing costs down</h2>



<p>AI and the increase in <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/a-day-in-the-life-as-a-freelancer/">freelancers</a> and consultants mean that small businesses can keep a lean staff, which reduces costs for everything from office space to benefits packages. This might allow some small business owners to prioritize their (fewer) employees’ satisfaction rates and allow them to build more personal relationships with them.</p>



<p>“To me, people are everything. When someone joins my company, I say it flat out: ‘Your happiness is my top priority—within what makes sense for the business, of course,’” says Tia Katz, founder of <a href="https://www.hu-x.com/copy-of-home-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hu-X</a>, a small business and global network of more than 90 coaches and psychologists. “Employees need to feel they can be themselves at work, doing things that interest them, [to] help them reach their own personal [and] professional goals. Once you have that core of people who believe in the organization—and in you as a leader who truly sees them and cares about them—then you can think about expanding.”</p>



<p>According to Chedva Ludmir, a business adviser and the founder of <a href="https://www.consider.club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Consider</a>, a consulting business that helps entrepreneurs and founders in Tel Aviv, “new AI and automation capabilities, in tandem with greater access to freelancers, are allowing more small businesses to utilize tools and skills that until recently were exclusive to large companies.” This combination of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/alibaba-accio-ai-agent-small-business/">AI automating tasks</a> and freelancers taking on more work gives small businesses the option to fund a leaner staff and therefore save money.</p>



<p>“This is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to create more scale while maintaining a lean team and infrastructure,” Ludmir adds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-support-when-you-need-it">Get support when you need it</h2>



<p>While all the above strategies are excellent <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-set-smart-goals/">goals</a>, it can still be tough to run a small business. That’s why it’s important to locate resources to help you in your journey. For instance, you could reach out to businesses around you to collaborate, involve a business mentor or coach or find out if your city offers support to local businesses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Remember, small businesses are the beating heart of America’s economy—you’re not in this alone.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo by SofikoS/Shutterstock.com</em></strong></p>

Learn the top strategies that small businesses are succeeding with. Also gain insights on where to expect growth for 2025 and beyond.

Learn how small businesses can still succeed in today's wavering economy.

How Small Businesses Can Succeed in 2025 | SUCCESS

Positioning for Growth: How Small Businesses Can Succeed in 2025 and Beyond

The Best Business Growth Strategies for Small Businesses | SUCCESS

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Learn how small businesses can still succeed despite a wavering economy by using these helpful strategies.

A woman sitting at a desk looking stressed while working

Longevity &amp; Performance

Longevity &amp; Performance Archives

Longevity &amp; Performance | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>A few years back, I was five weeks postpartum with my fifth child and I cracked my computer back open. My marketing and journalism business was waiting. I was ready to do something that had nothing to do with diapers, pacis, nursing or sleep schedules for a few hours. I went about a lighter version of my normal workday. Then an email came back: “Wait, you’re working already?” and then another. “Congrats on the baby! Why are you even working?! This can wait.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This year, I had two surgeries after a sudden and scary cancer diagnosis. A few weeks after the second surgery, I felt that same way. I headed into my first meeting post-op with a manager on a project I was working on. They informed me that due to my limited bandwidth in the coming weeks, they’d reassigned my project. Yet, I was doing well, on the call and sure that my own bandwidth would allow me to take on the project and thrive as usual. When I pushed back and insisted I was working and able to do my job, they pushed back too with, “Well, I just know you need to get some rest.”</p>



<p>Through these personal situations, I’ve learned that the work-life balance we all strive for has a dark side — when someone else tells <em>you</em> what your own work-life balance entails. I’d been “boss-splained” about my own bandwidth, and I was discouraged. After all, I’d been through hell and back (both times) and felt physically and mentally ready to do some work.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-rest-in-work">Emotional rest in work</h2>



<p>My grandfather, a Greek immigrant who was recruited to the Korean War right when he moved to the U.S. had a saying: “If they say dig one hole, I dug two.” He taught our family the value, and even the cathartic nature, of work. He carried a business card in his wallet, and on the back was a passage about work. The gist was this: “Work when you’re sad, work when you're unsure, work when you’re rich, work when you’re broke.” Work has never been about making money, but about purpose.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With this soil around my roots, in times of uncertainty, such as postpartum or post-operations, I was excited to get back to work. It gave me purpose, and in that purpose, I found emotional rest.</p>



<p>There’s a presumption that if you go back to work too early after a leave, you’ll <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-burned-out/">burnout</a>. I get why—in 2024, workplace burnout rates hit an all-time high, <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/glassdoor-employee-confidence-index-july-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glassdoor reported</a>. Burnout is real and valid.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s also an assumption that everyone needs the same amount of time off and that longer is better. I’m an absolute proponent of longer paid maternity leaves, as well as other necessary medical leaves. I also, at various points in my motherhood journey, would have greatly benefited from the option to take longer than six or 12 weeks off.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But isn’t that my choice? And doesn’t it make sense that each recovery might not be the same as the others—and that it’s for me to say?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sometimes-it-s-a-paycheck">Sometimes it’s a paycheck…</h2>



<p>When does a boss or colleague caring about us cross a boundary? That’s the dilemma I found myself in when I returned to work “too early,” according to others. With their commentary came so many assumptions: I would be too sleep deprived, or I should be lying down or I’m mentally not “there yet,” probably. It felt like judgment.</p>



<p>While some bosses might push people to come back too soon, others might question those who want to.&nbsp; “Sometimes managers have so much going on, they can be unaware that they are setting unrealistic expectations, but other times it is due to a lack of consideration, a difference in values or due to their own habit of overcommitment,” says <a href="https://www.katieluman.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Katie Luman</a>, a therapist in Marietta, Georgia.</p>



<p>There’s also a missing component to this conversation called money. Having five babies is expensive. Cancer is expensive. My business provides for both of these things, and there’s no official paid leave when you own a small business. So, I wanted to work to provide for my family as soon as I was able, even though it may have just been a few hours per day to start. I was thankful to have a break but also thankful to have those opportunities available when I could do them again.</p>



<p>While <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/importance-of-healthy-work-life-balance/">work-life balance</a> is fabulous, and is the goal, sometimes we make decisions not just on what our inner zen would prefer, but on what makes the most sense logistically and financially for those depending on us.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-to-stand-up-for-yourself">Learning to stand up for yourself</h2>



<p>The first few times this pushback happened, I really questioned myself – <em>Was</em> I coming back too early, postpartum? Was I somehow less able to do my job with a breast pump going? Was I missing something that others saw?&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It's hard to describe the feeling of returning to work—whether after giving birth, undergoing surgery, or experiencing a major life shift—only to be met with someone questioning what you can or can't handle…” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-law/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claire Law</a>, a teacher and relational psychotherapist, in England. “[When it] sounds like concern, but carries an edge of doubt or quiet judgment, it can hit on a level that's deeply personal.”’</p>



<p>“I’ve seen this happen so many times—someone returns to work post-surgery or after having a baby, and instead of being asked ‘How are <em>you</em> feeling?’ or ‘What do <em>you</em> think your pace should be?’ they’re told what they <em>should</em> or <em>shouldn’t</em> be doing,” says <a href="https://louisvillegracepsychological.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Bach</a>, Psy.D, a psychologist from Louisville, Kentucky. “I think this is not just frustrating—it’s often retraumatizing.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>I learned not to internalize those questions but instead to be ready with some go-to responses. One Bach suggests is “I appreciate your concern, but I’d like to set the pace that aligns with my recovery and current capacity.”</p>



<p>Bach had a health recovery experience similar to mine. “I had someone tell me, ‘You probably can’t take on that much right now.’ And I remember thinking—<em>you don’t know what I’m capable of</em>. So I started speaking up.”</p>



<p>He suggests using clear language such as “‘I’ll let you know what I’m ready for—and I’ll ask for support when needed.’ That sentence became my armor.” If it continues, he suggests keeping detailed notes on these interactions for HR.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-the-deeper-intent">Seeking the deeper intent</h2>



<p>Some people really mean well, a phrase I’ve noticed myself using much more frequently since getting cancer. It means that they are trying, but really just saying something that’s not very helpful at all. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkadamsphd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kirk Adams,</a> PhD, a career and leadership expert specializing in disability inclusion and HR from Seattle, has encountered this throughout his career. He is blind.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When my bandwidth has been questioned, I've learned to pause and assess whether the comment stems from genuine concern, unconscious bias, outright discrimination or a lack of awareness about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/disability-is-strength-at-work/">disability</a> and resilience,” he says. His go-to question in that scenario is “I appreciate your concern. Can you share more about what led you to ask that?” Instead of a defensive response, he engages them in conversation.</p>



<p>“That shifts the dynamic. It gives me a window into their assumptions, and it gives them a chance to hear directly from me.” he says.</p>



<p>I’ve learned that people often don’t know how to express well wishes and also doubts about future performance. I’ve learned to redirect the conversation to the value of the work, and my necessary role in it. Sometimes I have to speak up a little bit more clearly now. Bach says, “You know what you can handle—and no one gets to rewrite that narrative for you.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo by</em> <em>Josep Suria/Shutterstock</em></strong></p>



<p></p>

Explore the hidden dark-side of work-life balance according to Alexandra Frost, and what she learned in the process.

Explore the hidden dark-side of work-life balance according to Alexandra Frost.

The Dark Side of Work-Life Balance | SUCCESS

The Darker Side of Work-Life Balance: When Others Determine Your Bandwidth for You

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news Archives | SUCCESS

<p>“Child care costs shouldn’t cost you your career.” That’s the reason Cakes Body’s co-founder Taylor Capuano <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/taylorkcapuano_cakes-bodys-new-child-care-benefit-for-employees-activity-7323771610916675587-_tBh/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAqY1ZMBCXYyITYcS8i2839udOu7N6ld4Go" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> a progressive new employee child care subsidy program that covers all child care costs for all their employees with kids under public-school age. The company, which sells women’s undergarments, recently <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cakes-body_cakeschildcarecredit-activity-7323805442600542212-Hxvs?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAACxf5BoBYjuSdZ11wwW_-M2LHIvcb35tafM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared</a> their “major new initiative to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-employers-can-support-working-parents/">support working parents</a>.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>The company is tackling a leading obstacle for working parents—especially mothers <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-companies-can-support-moms-in-and-returning-to-the-workplace/">progressing their careers in the workplace</a> or even just being able to continue working at all after having kids. It’s a struggle Capuano knows well, as she recently told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-05-01/cakes-body-s-new-child-care-benefit-for-employees-36-000-a-year?embedded-checkout=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bloomberg</a>: Working as a senior level marketer at a small company, after paying for monthly child care expenses, she was only making around $200, which she called “kind of a wash.”</p>







<p>She sought to do better for her own employees of around 30 people, who now have a $36,000 benefit for child care ($3,000 monthly), which Capuano calls unprecedented in her LinkedIn announcement. “Putting this policy together opened our eyes to more questions than answers… <a href="https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits-survey/family-care" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">only 3% of companies</a> offer any kind of subsidy,” she wrote. The benefit is meant to foot the bill for two kids per employee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-to-action-for-other-companies">A call to action for other companies</h2>



<p>Cakes Body hopes this kind of support doesn't stop at their own 30 employees. Instead, the subsidy is also a call to action to start a movement, and they want others to follow suit: “Match us, do better, go further... our hope is crippling child care costs will not be the reasons parents, especially women, are forced to leave the workforce,” Capuano wrote. In an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJKCS-COyZs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram post</a>, they add they “hope it sets the new standard.” Capuano and her twin sister Casey Sarai started the shapewear company, and Sarai told Bloomberg that they’ll more than make up the cost of talent retention by offering this benefit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-losing-mothers-in-the-workforce">The cost of losing mothers in the workforce</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://blog.dol.gov/2024/09/30/we-analyzed-5-years-worth-of-childcare-prices-heres-what-we-found" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Labor blog</a> points to the fact that child care costs just keep rising and are now accounting for around one-fifth of household income. They point to some expenses where, on the higher end, infant centers are charging over $19,000 per year for one child. They also discuss the direct correlation between those rising costs and decreases in working moms in the workforce. “A 10% increase in median childcare prices was associated with 1 percentage-point lower county-level maternal employment rates. Counties with childcare prices that were twice as expensive than the median childcare price had maternal employment rates that were 4 percentage points lower,” they write in <a href="https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/NDCP/508_WB_IssueBrief-NDCP-20230213.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">another report</a> from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau.</p>



<p>Child care costs are even impacting the size of families. In the <a href="https://www.mother.ly/state-of-motherhood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Motherly Annual State of Motherhood Report</a>, moms under 30 said that 69% of them wouldn’t be having another child, compared to 35% of millennial moms when they were asked that question in 2019. In addition, 33% say needing or wanting to work, combined with unaffordable child care, is the reason.</p>



<p>In addition to child care financial assistance, parents also care about other aspects of their workplace, such as having control and say in their work environment, according to <a href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/having-seat-at-the-table-changes-everything-best-workplaces-for-parents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Place to Work</a>, which reports on companies they certify for lists including <a href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces-parents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Workplaces for Parents</a>. They add parents want <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-five-hour-club-and-the-future-of-flexible-work/">flexibility</a>, a place to share feedback and the ability to make a difference with meaningful work, among other benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Cakes Body’s child care credit is a revolutionary benefit for parents who are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/career-motherhood-10-ways-to-make-it-work/">balancing a career with raising children</a>. Here’s hoping more companies follow their inspiring lead.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by veryulissa/Shutterstock</em></p>

Cakes Body now covers up to $36K in child care for staff, an industry-leading move to retain talent and support working parents.

Cakes Body now covers up to $36K in child care for staff, an industry-leading move to retain talent and support working parents. | SUCCESS

Cakes Body’s $36K Child Care Credit Leads the Way in Affordable Child Care Planning for Employees

Cakes Body Offers $36K Child Care Credit to Employees | SUCCESS

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Money

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<p>Chelsea Williams’ path toward financial literacy started on the school bus.</p>



<p>“My first money lesson was from a bus driver when I was a sophomore in high school,” says Williams. “It just seemed really weird that a bus driver was taking the time to tell me and my friend how much we were going to make and what that meant after taxes and what rent costs and internet and went through the whole slew with us. But what I later realized in my career is that no one is actually teaching us. It's not a required course in school.”</p>



<p>In some ways, it was that realization that spearheaded Williams’ path toward helping people, especially women, recognize their relationship with money and how that impacts their lives.</p>



<p>Years after the school bus sermon, Williams has come to be known as “<a href="https://www.moneymastery.work/meet-chelsea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Money Whisperer</a>.” You’ll find her training other women, using <a href="https://www.moneymastery.work/personal-solutions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">courses</a>, apps, budgets, workbooks and other materials on the how money works.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-steps-in-financial-literacy">First steps in financial literacy</h2>



<p>At age 20, Williams was pregnant, “financially alone” and in school for healthcare administration. It was during this time that she discovered accounting—and that she was really good at it.</p>



<p><strong>“</strong>I really, really loved playing with the numbers,” she says. “I could not only tell a story using the numbers from the past, but I could paint a financial picture of the possible future storylines with the numbers and with the equations that I had uncovered.”</p>



<p>After making the move to a tax and accounting firm and rising in the ranks, Williams started to recognize that business owners often didn’t understand the numbers they were being presented or how to read the financial reports given to them. With that knowledge, Williams decided to set off on her own. And, in 2017, she began her firm, Core Solutions Group, with the goal of helping others—particularly women and mothers—succeed at their own money stories.</p>



<p>“My goal was to bridge the language barrier between accountant and business owner and teach them a simple way to understand their numbers and show them how they can use them as a tool towards growth and the lifestyle that they were really trying to achieve through their business vessel,” she says.</p>



<p>Williams soon found, though, that the issues in financial literacy weren’t limited to just number comprehension—they required mindset growth, too.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purchasing-a-feeling">Purchasing a feeling</h2>



<p>For Williams, a significant component of what she works to teach her clients and those who listen to her podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/always-and-never-about-money/id1539206194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Always and Never About Money</em></a>, is recognizing the psychology behind money. <strong>“</strong>Money is 90% mental,” Williams says. “To sustain any change in your money, you must create a change in how you think about it and what you allow it to believe about yourself. Untangle money, the tool, and all the feelings and values that you assign to it.”</p>



<p>This is a skill that Williams recognizes takes time, reflection and a lot of grace with yourself.</p>



<p>“All we are ever purchasing is time and experience and feelings,” she says. “So if you were to look at what you spent your money on in the last year and assign a feeling to each transaction, even the basic things like rent—we're creating a feeling of security when we pay our rent,” she says. She has her clients ask themselves: “What are you really chasing? <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/transforming-your-relationship-with-money/">Money</a> is a simple tool of trade. Everything else around it is psychology and money can be a valuable mirror in our lives.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-women-to-succeed">Empowering women to succeed</h2>



<p>As Williams reflects on her journey, she recognizes the role that a male-dominated field of work had in helping her create a space where women can feel empowered to succeed at their own finances. It’s something that Williams says wasn’t necessarily an option for women even 50 years ago, given that most women weren’t able to get a credit card on their own until the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/equal-credit-opportunity-act-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Equal Credit Opportunity Act</a> was signed in 1974.</p>



<p>“When I discovered that closing a lot of these gaps is only a matter of education, I just knew I had to jump in and be a part of the shift,” she says.</p>



<p>She also sees that her own upbringing empowered her. She says she was raised with a lens that being a woman is irrelevant, specifically from her father. But not all women have the same opportunities for education and experience that she had, Williams says.</p>



<p>“[Women] are very, very new to this game. We are still dipping our toenails into the water of the financial algorithm. And anytime you're focusing on what you don't have, I find it's helpful to focus on the votes in the jar that we do have. The proof that we are 100% capable of doing this thing…Women have the power to change, and change can happen very quickly,” she says. “Change is a mindset more than it is an event, so never count yourself out of opportunities.”</p>



<p>For Williams, seeing the financial literacy of women at work reminds her of the importance of narrowing the gap between what men and women know about investing, money and owning their space in the financial world.</p>



<p>Williams recalls a specific client who, to her, stands out on this topic. “She was born in a religious household, and the religion had them believe that women had no place in financial management and financial decisions. And she was raised from a very young age by the male people in her family, and literally told, ‘You don't need to worry about money…You don't need to be a part of it. It's not for you to know and understand,’” she says. “Once she kind of woke up and started to design her own life and realize she wanted to start a business, she now runs a multi-million dollar business with an amazing team, and they only work four-day work weeks, and it's amazing to watch her really step into her femininity and own her understanding around the numbers and nurture her own leadership capabilities around that role in her business.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-is-bright">The future is bright</h2>



<p>While there is still ample work to be done when it comes to financial literacy, Williams is excited to be part of the solution by helping women develop a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/our-relationship-with-money/">healthy relationship with money</a>. For her, recognizing money as a tool and not the ultimate definition of success could help make for a more compassionate world in the future.</p>



<p>“Money is not the creator of ‘happy,’” she says. “It is a facilitator of it.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo courtesy of Chelsea Williams</em></strong>.</p>



<p></p>

Learn how Chelsea Williams went from being a homeless single mother to the founder and CEO of a successful finance business.

Learn how Chelsea Williams went from being a homeless single mother to a CEO.

Chelsea Williams’ Financial Literacy Journey | SUCCESS

The Psychology Behind the Spend

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young women looking for a new job with career dreamer

<p>If you’re contemplating a career change, you might consider adding <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/best-ai-tools-for-business/">AI to your toolbox</a> for landing your dream job. There’s no question that AI is becoming a key player in today’s world, but job hunters may be surprised to find it can be helpful in better understanding and promoting their own skills. The latest Google AI tool is set to show job hunters new career paths and ways to embrace their strengths.</p>



<p>Grow with Google launched <a href="http://grow.google/careerdreamer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Career Dreamer</a> in February. The free tool uses generative AI to help users identify potential careers. While building Career Dreamer, Google consulted with organizations that provide career navigation for job seekers in an effort to create a tool that was useful for anyone seeking further career clarification. </p>



<p>Through a series of prompts, the tool helps break down the user’s skills, past work experiences, education and interests. It then uses the information to generate potential job opportunities and career paths, with assistance from job market data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Lightcast. It also showcases skills that job hunters might diminish in themselves—a major inspiration behind the development of the tool, according to Aaron Wade, a creative technologist at Google.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-now">Why now?</h2>



<p>“<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-you-can-put-yourself-on-a-new-career-path/">Career paths</a> aren’t always linear, and figuring out what’s next can be challenging,” Wade says. “We built Career Dreamer to make these things easier. It helps you recognize the value in your experiences, frame your strengths with confidence and explore new directions that might not have been on your radar—all in a way that feels intuitive and open-ended.”</p>







<p>According to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/tenure.nr0.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 data</a> from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, Americans work for an employer for 3.9 years, and this data can vary based on gender, age, ethnicity and job sector. For instance, tenure for employees between the ages of 55 and 64 is 9.6 years, while median tenure is 2.7 years for those between the ages of 25 and 34. A <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/30/how-americans-view-their-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 Pew Research Center</a> survey found that only half of American workers are extremely or very satisfied with their jobs.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/nlsoy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Data</a> has also shown that the average baby boomer has held 12 different jobs during their lifetime. Those in the Gen Z category are estimated to have <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ky03JZM3OBrHjqmQ0aXH2l-9R-OBTpAc/view" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">18 jobs</a> over the course of their life.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-full-service-job-search-tool">A full-service job search tool</h2>



<p>Google shares that the highlight of the tool isn’t just limited to exploring new possibilities. Career Dreamer also allows users to collaborate with Google’s chatbot, Gemini, to create cover letters, update resumes or develop a career identity statement that can be used as a talking point in future job interviews. Additionally, Career Dreamer can direct users to training resources like Google’s Cloud Skills Boost or Career Certificates to further develop skills that are of interest to them.</p>



<p>While Wade says that Career Dreamer is a great way to explore, it’s not a “prescription for what to do next.” Instead, it can help users experiment and grow in curiosity about their own unique capabilities and what their future could hold.</p>



<p>“AI is great at pattern-finding and quickly synthesizing large amounts of information—which means it can help people do the hard work of connecting the dots between what they do, what they’re good at, what they like and where the opportunities are,” Wade says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-get-back-what-you-put-into-it-including-confidence">You get back what you put into it—including confidence</h2>



<p>Wade also says that Career Dreamer works best if users are in a place where they are open to reflecting and exploring, adding that the more information inputted into the AI tool, the more personalized the results will be.</p>



<p>“I think that Career Dreamer has the potential to inspire feelings of confidence, competence and autonomy in job seekers,” Wade says. “Confidence comes from personalized insights that help them articulate their strengths; competence comes from seeing their existing skills and experiences reflected in new possibilities; autonomy comes from discovering that they have the tools to shape their career journey on their own terms.”</p>



<p>So, whether you're looking to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/making-a-successful-midlife-career-change/">transition to a new career</a> or seeking to enhance your current skills, Career Dreamer might be more than just a tool—it could be a launchpad for a brighter future or more satisfaction in your work.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by Krakenimages.com/shutterstock.com</em></p>

Learn how Google’s new tool, Career Dreamer, uses artificial intelligence to help job seekers find new opportunities and even change career paths.

Learn how Google’s new tool, Career Dreamer, uses artificial intelligence to help job seekers find new opportunities and even change career paths. | SUCCESS

Could AI Help You Find Your Dream Career? Google's New Tool Says Yes

Could AI Help You Find Your Dream Career? Google&#8217;s New Tool Says Yes

Could Google’s New AI Tool Help You Find Your Dream Job? | SUCCESS

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A happy office employee extends hand for a handshake

Professional Growth

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<p>Anyone who has been on the job-hunting side of an interview table (or Zoom call) knows the distinct feeling of wondering what the heck the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/job-interview-follow-up/">hiring manager</a> wants. What are they thinking? What skills do they really want in the best candidate for this role?</p>



<p>In decades past, responses from those hiring managers might have been about the training an ideal candidate has or the specific degree they hold. Or they simply might have been about how intelligent the candidate seemed. But now, soft skills are overtaking smarts in an uprising of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/components-of-emotional-intelligence/">emotional intelligence</a> (EQ).</p>



<p>According to the Niagara Institute, 75% of employers use EQ as a gauge of an employee’s readiness for promotion and eligibility for a raise. A 2019 survey that LHH conducted found that 57% of hiring managers say their highest-performing team members also have <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/18-signs-you-have-high-emotional-intelligence/">high EQ</a>.</p>



<p>“IQ is what you do (or what you can do). EQ is how you do it,” says Maggie Sass, Ph.D., executive vice president of content, research and professional services at TalentSmartEQ, a provider of EQ solutions for companies in San Diego. ”You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you treat people like they don’t matter—if you don’t demonstrate respect—they won’t necessarily follow you.”</p>



<p>First popularized in the 1900s, EQ isn’t a new concept. “Daniel Goleman’s [1995] book, <em>Emotional Intelligence</em>, shook up the business world because of the assertion that EQ was more predictive of success than IQ,” Sass says. “To me, pitting IQ and EQ against each other (or anything else, like personality) is a false binary. IQ and EQ are both important.”</p>



<p>Now, EQ is named third by employers in the top 15 sought-after job skills in the 2020 World Economic Forum Job Future of Jobs Report and is likely to remain at the top of the list through 2025.</p>



<p>So if you’re in the workforce, leading a team or thinking about applying for a job in the near future, EQ should be at the top of your list of skills to sharpen. Here’s why it matters so much now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eq-can-mean-longevity-in-your-role">EQ can mean longevity in your role</h2>



<p>Not only might EQ help you get a job, but it could also help you keep it.</p>



<p>“People often get hired for their technical and tangible skills but get fired because they lack emotional intelligence,” says Sara Canaday, leadership development expert and author in Austin, Texas. She points to skills such as “self-regulation, empathy, social fluency and interpersonal skills” as key indicators of EQ.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-a-teachable-and-learnable-trait">It’s a teachable and learnable trait</h2>



<p>It’s impossible to change someone’s IQ, and nearly impossible to change their personality, but EQ is teachable to some extent, which is an attractive trait to future bosses. “EQ is the most moldable. You can isolate specific behaviors, work on them, develop them and see the impact of those changes,” Sass says. “Your traits cascade down into behaviors, which arguably are changeable, and many of them are so hard-wired, so autopilot, [that] they can be really hard to pivot to more effective behavior.”</p>



<p>The willingness to learn and improve your EQ and having the awareness that it’s even a trait you can work on might just make for a great response to some of those tricky interview questions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-companies-with-high-eq-employees-cultivate-healthy-workplaces">Companies with high-EQ employees cultivate healthy workplaces</h2>



<p>“Employers are beginning to value EQ as a foundational element of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/emotional-intelligence-in-leadership/">effective leadership</a> because it helps to improve employee engagement [and] organizational health and it creates an environment in which employees have psychological safety,” says Joelle Moray, therapist, speaker and author in Wheeling, West Virginia. ”Many large brands across a variety of sectors are beginning to include EQ as part of their leadership development programs, emphasizing empathy and communication.”</p>



<p>She also shares that some workplace wellness programs are refocusing on employee mental health and how it translates to job performance and long-term company commitment or tenure.</p>



<p>Higher EQ might lead to more awareness around mental health at work and more positive interactions between colleagues as well. “We have all worked at companies where culture is not important, and we have all left those companies because they’re boring, rigid [and] risk-averse, and you feel like an unimportant cog in a wheel,” says Tim Duba, co-founder and CEO of Protekt, a liquid supplement and sunscreen company in Fort Worth, Texas. A great workplace culture isn’t something a company can fake, he says—you either have it or you don’t.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-improve-your-eq">How to improve your EQ</h2>



<p>Sass says you should focus on the following if you want to learn more about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-improve-emotional-intelligence/">improving EQ</a>:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“<strong>Self-awareness:</strong> Quit treating feelings as good or bad. Feelings can be negative or positive (or anything in between), but they aren’t good or bad. They are a signal, a data point. They give you an opportunity to reflect on what is happening.</li>



<li><strong>Self-management:</strong> Breathe right. To flood your brain with oxygen, take slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose until your stomach grows tight, and then exhale gently and completely through your mouth until your lungs are empty. Take two deep breaths when you: 1) wake up, 2) begin work, 3) head home and 4) go to sleep.</li>



<li><strong>Social awareness:</strong> Greet people by name. Make this month the time to practice saying, ‘Hello, (name),’ to one person each time you are in a group setting. Be sure to use the person’s name later in conversation as well.</li>



<li><strong>Relationship management:</strong> Take feedback well. Listen and really hear what is being said. Ask questions and ask for specific examples to better understand the person’s perspective. Thank the person and absorb the information before deciding your next steps.“</li>
</ul>



<p>According to Pamela Barnum, a former undercover drug enforcement officer, federal prosecuting attorney and non-verbal communication expert, the acronym “SOME” is also helpful for remembering strong EQ skills:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>S: </strong>Smile<strong> </strong>genuinely or neutrally</li>



<li><strong>O: </strong>Open posture and positioning</li>



<li><strong>M: </strong>Mirroring, “a subtle technique to create rapport—and my No. 1 undercover technique”</li>



<li><strong>E: </strong>Eye contact—though Barnum notes you should use this one only where appropriate, as some cultures differ on feelings toward eye contact</li>
</ul>



<p>Remembering Barnum’s “SOME” acronym, combined with Sass’ practical daily actions, should improve your EQ in no time, making you not only a more capable and effective employee but also a more balanced human being. </p>



<p><br><em>This article originally appeared in the January 2025 <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/subscriptions/">issue of SUCCESS+ digital magazine</a>.</em></p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock</em></p>

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<p>Who <em>are </em>you anyway—and what is your brand? What does it stand for?</p>



<p>You might know, but does the rest of the world? <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-9-tips-for-making-a-mark-that-lasts/">Building your brand</a> and communicating it to others doesn’t happen by accident—and it sure doesn’t happen overnight. Knowing this, personal branding expert <a href="https://garyvaynerchuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary Vaynerchuk</a> took to LinkedIn workshops recently to share his secrets with the world. </p>







<p>Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, six-time <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author, CEO of VaynerMedia and VeeFriends, and chairman of Vaynerx. His family immigrated to the United States from Belarus in 1978. In his website bio, he shares that his first experience with business began with selling lemonade at age 7 and baseball cards in high school. He’s come quite a long way since his humble beginnings—and he isn’t afraid to share his secrets.</p>



<p>Whether you’re building a business and hoping to expand your reach or rethinking your <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/brand-strategy-principles/">branding strategy</a> after decades of success, Vaynerchuk’s words of wisdom are for everyone. Here’s what he recommends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decide-which-platform-to-focus-on-nbsp">Decide which platform to focus on&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Instead of posting a lot of content across multiple platforms, it’s best to prioritize one outlet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Many people here post the same video on every platform and don't realize that every platform is going to treat that differently,” Vaynerchuk explained in his workshop. “So you’ve got to actually learn the skill.”</p>



<p>Because each platform has its own unique algorithm, a successful approach on one won’t necessarily work on another. When choosing a platform, consider who your audience is and who you would like to interact with your posts. At this point, you can determine which social media platform they are most likely on.  </p>



<p>You can also expand your strategy from this point forward. “Personally, I create a ton of content,”  Vaynerchuk <a href="https://garyvaynerchuk.com/the-garyvee-content-strategy-how-to-grow-and-distribute-your-brands-social-media-content/">shared in his content strategy</a>. “I publish a new episode every day on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/garyvee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GaryVee Video Experience</a>, which is distributed on my YouTube channel, Facebook Watch Page and IGTV. I then also have a daily podcast called the <a href="https://garyvee.lnk.to/audioexperienceFA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GaryVee Audio Experience</a>, which is distributed on my iTunes, Overcast, and Stitcher, amongst some other platforms.”</p>



<p>Vaynerchuk’s content strategy is based on the concept of the “reverse pyramid.” The wider top of the pyramid is his “pillar content” piece, and the narrower bottom is where “micro content” lives. He expands on this concept in a 30-page slide deck, where he also highlights helpful strategies like repurposing a single keynote into many pieces of unique content.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understand-how-to-measure-success">Understand how to measure success</h2>



<p>Vaynerchuk also stresses the importance of understanding algorithms. Various components like the thumbnail image, the first few seconds of your video, and the quality of your copy are all key aspects to consider when crafting a post.</p>



<p>When building a successful brand, the overall metric you’ll want to understand is how many people consume your content. Depending on the platform, this could be views or reach. But lately, Vaynerchuk values the number of views his content receives over the number of followers.</p>



<p>“I personally believe the core metric now in the game is views,“ he says. “We've gotten away from the first year of social media. In fact, I actually believe the word social media might have to get tweaked. I believe we are now in interest media, not social media…. Social was inherently like, ‘Who is your social network? Who are your friends?’ We are now in an era where what you are interested in is coming to you from the algorithm.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grow-and-build-authentic-connections">Grow and build authentic connections</h2>



<p>To build your brand, you’ll need to care about and foster relationships with the individuals who are interacting with your content. Once you’ve been authentically yourself and have made connections online, continue growing those relationships through genuine interactions. This can include going live online, hosting live events, or even holding in-person meet ups such as dinners.</p>



<p>“A lot of people don't realize that they're one LinkedIn post away from a recruiter or a company seeing them as valuable, which may lead to the opportunity they want,” Vaynerchuk says.</p>



<p>Yet he adds that there’s one thing that can prevent us from fully taking advantage of those potential connections and the resulting opportunities: fear of judgment. </p>



<p>“You post something on LinkedIn, and someone says you're stupid, and then they clam up—which is devastating to me,“ he explains. “I'm desperately trying to get people out of the insecurity of middle school and high school in professional settings.”  </p>



<p>At the same time, it’s important not to go overboard when it comes to making personal connections.</p>



<p>“My toughest challenge was [that] I made a delusional, optimistic ideology that I was going to reply to every person that ever, ever mentioned me in social media,” Vaynerchuk shares. “It was crazy. I actually spent most of 2010–11 going to sleep at 2 a.m. because I would spend [hours] answering everybody on Twitter…. I struggled with letting that go because I felt community building was important.... And so my biggest struggle in building a personal brand was that fateful day in 2011 when I realized the math was beating me and I had to step off that perch that I was standing on for four years.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-can-still-start-now">You can still start now</h2>



<p>Everyone has the opportunity to build their own personal brand at any time and any age.</p>



<p>In his workshop, Vaynerchuk gave the example of someone who, at 47 years old, believes that they have missed their opportunity to play a sport. As one of the most followed influencers on LinkedIn, he speaks words of encouragement: “You haven’t even gone into halftime. It is never too late.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo by Yuri A/Shutterstock.com</em></strong></p>

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<p>They may seem quiet. They may need their alone time. Or, they might not. With introverts, stereotypes abound. They might also be one of the most underestimated and misunderstood groups in the workplace.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The assumption is that introverts hate people, want to be alone all the time and don’t like to talk,” Mallory McCord, Ph.D., said in a <a href="https://news.d.umn.edu/college-education-and-human-service-professions/articles/mccord-introvert-research" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">university feature</a>. In her research, she shared findings of “substantial anecdotal evidence that introverts feel excluded, disliked, underestimated and overlooked in the workplace.”</p>



<p>Introverts have been called “<a href="https://hbr.org/2024/03/an-introverts-guide-to-visibility-in-the-workplace?ab=at_art_art_1x4_s01" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brilliant behind the scenes</a>” but <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886920301331" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> has also pointed to a potential for negative responses to introverts at work. For example, they point to the fact that they can be “unfairly overlooked” for leadership positions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But few extroverts really get what if feels like in an introvert’s mind and body at work. Freelance business coach and agency owner Jenni Gritters self-identifies as an introvert. As such, she has worked to align her business set up with her own personal needs. “I describe it as breathing—inhale, exhale. Imagine just gulping down inhales and never exhaling,” she says. “That’s what it would feel like for an introvert to be in social situations all the time—including social media.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-find-outreach-that-aligns-with-your-needs">Find outreach that aligns with your needs</h2>



<p>Sharing content online, regardless of industry, is often a less-identified drain for an introvert. Gritters helps her introverted clients pick places where they feel “most aligned to show up.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Maybe they don’t love being in a live room and doing networking, but they love publishing a newsletter… it gives them more space and gives them more energy.” She recommends asking where and how you will do your work, which can lead to intentional scheduling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commit-to-scheduling-ahead-intentionally">Commit to scheduling ahead intentionally</h2>



<p>“My biggest tip and one thing that has truly helped me is creating a structured routine for my work days. Tools like Slack and Asana allow me to manage the workflow without needing constant face-to-face or video calls, which helps conserve my energy,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-kershaw-freeman-2a7b0355/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelsea Kershaw</a>, CEO and co-founder of Digi Ink PR in Corona, California.</p>



<p>She also protects her morning hours, keeping them free of meetings so she can have “deep focus” on high-level projects to complete that day. “I also have the luxury of being able to work from home, so having a dedicated space here where I can focus without interruptions has been crucial. It’s all about designing these systems that give me time to recharge throughout the day so I can bring my best self to client work and team interactions, and it doesn’t hurt I get to cuddle my dogs in between meetings.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protect-your-inner-peace">Protect your inner peace</h2>



<p>“When you are an introvert, boundaries are really important. You really need to protect your space and recharge, because if you don’t do that, you burn out,” Gritters says. This is where she says “margin” is a must.</p>



<p>“You need to protect that space and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/22-ways-to-practice-stillness/">stillness</a> because otherwise, you run out of gas,” Gritters says. This might look like spacing out tiring meetings, ending them 45 minutes in to preserve the last 15 minutes of each hour for a break or having meeting-free days altogether if possible.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-will-get-easier">It will get easier</h2>



<p>Some introverts like Kershaw say that as they get older and more experienced, it gets easier to understand how to be an introvert in the workplace. “When I first started, it took a lot more energy to interact and reach out to people, but as I grew personally and professionally and saw my work <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/event-planning-tips/">creating real impact</a>, I found it less daunting. Now, when I’m reaching out to media or working with our wonderful clients, I feel more like I’m showing up to share value rather than putting myself in the spotlight.” She adds that it has been helpful to choose a career that works behind the scenes to put others in the spotlight, as public relations professionals do.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intentionally-unwind-after-tiring-tasks">Intentionally unwind after tiring tasks</h2>



<p>While some people might be able to jump right into a busy evening, Kershaw says that doesn’t work for her. “I love ending my day with an indoor cycle class to dance on the bike and not have to think about work, and I always look forward to spending time with my husband and our dogs in the evening. He recharges my soul. These moments really help me balance being ‘always on,’ so I can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rest-and-recharge/">mentally recharge</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-tips-from-working-introverts">Other tips from working introverts</h2>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“This is a bit random, but although I am a fan of cold brew, I find hot coffee gets me more pumped up, so if I need to come across especially energetic or outgoing, I’ll have a cup of hot coffee beforehand.”&nbsp; —Kristi Eaton, CEO and founder of <a href="http://kecomms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KE Comms</a> in Tulsa, Oklahoma</li>



<li>“Working an event can drain me for days. I made it a rule that if I have an event coming up, in which I have to be ‘on,’ I have to make sure and take three days off.”&nbsp; —<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/iampetronajoseph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Petrona Joseph</a>, account manager at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/77communications/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twenty-Six Comms</a> in Montreal</li>



<li>“Prescheduling content and being really thoughtful about that and having a day or a week when you create your content and drip it out across your channels, but you aren’t consistently engaged in that conversation.”&nbsp; —Jenni Gritters</li>
</ul>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em><strong>Photo by: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com</strong></em></p>

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<p>Two years ago, Stephanie Sims, founder and CEO of <a href="https://homeandarrowgoods.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEfOibIhn5EOSPBkghOoh415F_Ovi3tXaBIandNI0NIZ-65Gcu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home &amp; Arrow</a>, started making wax melts in her home. She sold directly to friends, family and others through word of mouth and made around $2,000 between January 2023 and June 2024.</p>



<p>Then she joined TikTok Shop. In just 18 months, she earned over $200,000 from TikTok and website sales, many of which were driven by TikTok Shop.</p>



<p>“Unreal,” Sims says of the experience. “My website sales also saw a boost as a result of TikTok Shop, but the difference between the two platforms is significant. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, I made $10,481.28 on my website compared to $58,401.88 on TikTok.</p>



<p>“While the numbers have fluctuated throughout the year,” she adds, “TikTok consistently brings in three to six times more income than my website, depending on the month. In today's economy, these sales are amazing for a small business. Honestly, even in a stronger economy, these numbers would still be impressive.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite this success, Sims’ eyes—along with other <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-new-business/">business owners</a>’—are now on an upcoming trial that could permanently shape the future of small businesses like hers. TikTok is heading to the Supreme Court to face a potential ban.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-tiktok-on-trial">Why is TikTok on trial?</h2>



<p>Here’s the TikTok drama in recent months that’s led up to this trial:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>President Biden signed a bill in April called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would ban TikTok in the U.S. as of Jan. 19, 2025.</li>



<li>The bill requires TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to a company that isn’t under the authority of a foreign adversary (ByteDance is currently a China-based company).</li>



<li>The president could give a 90-day extension, but currently, the White House is <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/12/11/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-chair-of-the-council-of-economic-advisers-jared-bernstein-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deferring to the Department of Justice</a> in response to a possible extension.</li>



<li>If the ban is put in place, companies like Apple and Google would have to remove the app from their stores or face a potential <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/tiktok-ban-everything-you-need-to-know-questions-answered" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$5,000 per user fine</a>.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-small-business-owners-concerned">Why are small-business owners concerned?</h2>



<p>According to the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/12/20/8-facts-about-americans-and-tiktok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pew Research Center</a>, one in three U.S. adults uses TikTok, and in a recent survey, only 32% of Americans supported banning TikTok. Research has also found that <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/17/more-americans-regularly-get-news-on-tiktok-especially-young-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">52% of Americans</a> regularly get news from the platform. The average U.S. adult spends <a href="https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/average-time-spent-on-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">close to an hour</a> on TikTok each day, and adults in the age 18–24 category spend more time than older generations. This level of engagement provides businesses like Sims’ with the audience they need to turn a profit.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/09/tiktok-ban-cost-us-small-businesses-creators-billion-dollars-month.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok shared in a court filing</a> that it estimates small businesses and social media creators could lose $1.3 billion in earnings and revenue in one month if the ban occurs. In TikTok’s own <a href="https://tiktokeconomicimpact.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9m7BhD1ARIsANsIIvDP_W9ZTn41KmdpILLj579JNZmjELTIyTJOwqr8mtLywh38h5nyBwkaAr_bEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 economic report</a>, it stated that it helped drive $15 billion in revenues for small businesses in the U.S. in 2023.</p>



<p>Many business owners want to make their own choices about platform use and privacy, which has been the main concern about TikTok. “I totally understand that not knowing where the data is can seem creepy and challenging, but in fact, [what] matters is [that it’s] not held equally as apparent to other social media for other apps in general,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenpetrullo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lauren Petrullo</a>, CMO and founder of <a href="https://1abd4fae.streaklinks.com/CPdPss4x8WrOD4WnHQbo_lmP/https%3A%2F%2Fmongoosemedia.us%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mongoose Media</a>, a digital marketing agency, and founder of <a href="https://1abd4fae.streaklinks.com/CPdPss4bW-ZjB6c4xw1gi2WU/https%3A%2F%2Fasianbeautyessentials.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asian Beauty Essentials</a> in Orlando, Florida.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiktok-data-concerns">TikTok data concerns</h2>



<p>“I don't think the American public in general cares about where their data is being stored, because they never actually look at that,” Petrullo adds. “We wear smart devices all the time. I couldn't tell you where my loop data is being stored, and while I should care, in reality I don't. There’s too many other things for me to worry about.”</p>



<p>Some TikTok users want improved data management, but not at the expense of a full and seemingly randomly chosen <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/future-proofing-your-tiktok-content-strategy/">platform ban</a>. “The TikTok ban is such a big deal because people are worried about how our data is being used and if it’s safe,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciara-reed-kennedy-a15306138/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ciara Reed-Kennedy</a>, cofounder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/simpsonandreed?igsh=eXphd3F1bmxnNnBu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simpson &amp; Reed</a> and entertainment attorney in the Los Angeles area. “Is there potential for misuse by foreign governments? The government has to figure out how to protect privacy without taking away our rights or shutting down an app millions rely on for their businesses [and] social media influencing, or otherwise.”</p>



<p>As with many loaded topics, this one is multifaceted, both due to the presidential turnover and continued conversations around free speech. As for Petrullo, she says she finds it “unconstitutional.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This is a complete restriction on people's First Amendment and right to free speech,” she adds. “So I'm so wholeheartedly against it, not just as an individual, but also for my small-business clients…. If TikTok is allowed to be banned, what's next? And then what are the ramifications of other countries following suit?”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-expect-next-from-the-legal-process">What to expect next from the legal process</h2>



<p>If you aren’t in the mood to break out your high school government class notes, here’s what to expect from the upcoming trial.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To get to the Supreme Court, a case usually has to start in a lower district court and go through appeals in higher courts. If the case involves important questions about the Constitution or federal law, like the TikTok ban does, the Supreme Court can be asked to review it by filing a request called a <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/supreme-court-procedures#:~:text=Writs%20of%20Certiorari,the%20entire%20Court.">writ of certiorari</a>. The Supreme Court selects a relatively small number of cases to review each year, and if the Court agrees to hear one, lawyers present written arguments and speak before the justices, who then make a final decision or can choose to send the case back to the lower courts.</p>



<p>In TikTok’s case, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/us/politics/supreme-court-tiktok-ban.html">the Supreme Court has agreed to listen to arguments</a> concerning the ban on Jan. 10. Unlike most trials that can last for days or weeks, the Supreme Court has allotted two hours to listen to the arguments before making a decision. It also hasn’t blocked the law in question, which signals that it may make a decision prior to the Jan. 19 deadline.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-business-owners-say-they-need-tiktok-beyond-just-profit">Why business owners say they need TikTok—beyond just profit</h2>



<p>Sims likely won’t ever meet her customers, who keep coming back for their favorite soy wax melts, room sprays, warmers and candles. There are plenty of other places where they can buy those same items too. So what distinguishes her from other businesses? </p>



<p>Personal interaction, she says, thanks to TikTok.</p>



<p>“It allows customers to connect with me as a person—without ever needing to step into a physical store,” Sims says. “Social media has become the new storefront, giving people the chance to support businesses they truly connect with…. People stick around and become lifelong customers when they know, trust and like the owner.</p>



<p>“Unlike other platforms that focus more on polished, ‘highlight reel’ content, TikTok thrives on more raw footage—behind-the-scenes, in-the-making, answering questions ‘face-to-face,’” she continues. “Sure, there are filters, but it still feels like the realest of all the apps.”</p>



<p>She also loves TikTok Shop’s feature of buying directly in the app rather than directing customers elsewhere. “TikTok’s in-app shopping experience leads to higher conversions, and that’s been a game changer for my business,” she says. “I even brought in a marketing team to run Facebook and Instagram ads, but it was a complete flop. Even they couldn’t match the organic conversions I’ve seen on TikTok.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-do-next-if-you-rely-on-tiktok-personally-or-professionally">What to do next if you rely on TikTok personally or professionally</h2>



<p><a href="https://f8d8d411.streaklinks.com/CQGXLGCzs_cy8knWiAzB98CX/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fsamanthalhicks%2F%3ForiginalSubdomain%3Dca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Samantha Hicks</a>, managing director and influencer marketing expert at <a href="https://f8d8d411.streaklinks.com/CQGXLF9LCzh7DLFOJAgBAVzQ/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shinetalentgroup.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shine Talent Group</a>, has been prepping business owners like Sims who rely on TikTok for a potential shift. “Short-term, backing up and reposting content is a great start, but long-term, creators should think about playing to the nuance of each platform,” she says. “Creators need to adapt their storytelling to fit the nuances of each platform while maintaining the authenticity that draws their audiences in. For instance, using Instagram broadcast channels or YouTube Shorts allows creators to replicate the intimacy and immediacy that TikTok fans love.”</p>



<p>Shine Talent Group’s current focus is on safeguarding talent involved in TikTok-first campaigns running through Jan. 19.</p>



<p>“Some brands are asking creators to repost content to Instagram as a fallback for TikTok campaigns in case of a ban. However, if not done strategically, this approach could oversaturate the creator's audience, leading to decreased engagement and unfollows from the creator’s community,” Hicks says. “Reposting TikTok campaigns to Instagram could disrupt the balance of organic to sponsored content on the creator's Instagram account, potentially leading to long-term harm to their business.</p>



<p>“Our plan is to work with brands to ensure their campaigns are successful and marketing goals are met,” she adds, “while also ensuring [that] our clients’ accounts maintain a healthy balance of organic to sponsored content and that they’re fairly compensated in relation to the platform the content is being posted to. While many creators and consumers are skeptical about a TikTok ban, we’ve encouraged our talent to act as though it is imminent. Our advice is to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-term-recommendations">Short-term recommendations</h3>



<p>Between now and Jan. 19, Hicks recommends that creators and marketing teams take the following actions:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Capture audience emails through simple forms or newsletter sign-ups to retain their most loyal followers.</li>



<li>Continue posting on TikTok to maintain momentum, especially if a last-minute resolution allows the platform to remain operational.</li>



<li>Strategically repurpose content across platforms while preserving the balance of organic to sponsored content.”</li>
</ul>



<p>“We anticipate that platforms such as Meta and Snapchat may introduce new features to capture TikTok’s escapism and appeal,” she adds. “Creators who diversify their content and audiences now will be well-positioned to navigate any shifts in the social media landscape.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



<p>As with many legal proceedings, don’t panic—change won’t come quite as quickly as you’d think.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Until there’s a clear decision, it’s going to keep dragging on,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shard%C3%A9-simpson-6ab7a645/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shardé Simpson</a>, a New York-based entertainment attorney and cofounder of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/simpsonandreed?igsh=eXphd3F1bmxnNnBu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simpson &amp; Reed</a>. “I personally don’t think it will be banned in January like so many people are saying.”</p>



<p>But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything. Now is still a great time to prepare your business to jump platforms if TikTok is eventually banned.</p>



<p>“While the future of TikTok remains uncertain,” Hicks says, “our approach is proactive: supporting our talent in safeguarding their businesses while helping them explore opportunities for growth across other platforms.”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em><strong>Photo by Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock</strong></em><strong><em>.com</em></strong></p>

Learn why TikTok is facing a potential ban in the U.S. and what business owners can do if they rely on the platform to generate revenue.

Learn what business owners can do if they rely on the platform to generate revenue.

TikTok Faces Ban in the United States | SUCCESS

TikTok Heads to the Supreme Court

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<p>He has been named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people. He has five <em>New York Times </em>bestsellers. But it wasn’t by accident. Malcolm Gladwell is intentionally leading the way on building influence, a topic he deconstructed for listeners in a recent <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/events/7251973066665160705/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn workshop</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While many business owners could only dream of this type of reach and influence, Gladwell is an open book about how he got there and what he recommends for others. Though his books, including his latest, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Revenge-Tipping-Point-Overstories-Superspreaders/dp/0316575801" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Revenge of the Tipping Point</em></a>, are on serious topics, he’s not always serious and balances humor with deep research and innovative perspectives. For example, you’ll find him as the “Skinny Canadian” on his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/malcolmgladwell/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram bio</a>. He also examines history through a lens of what we overlooked or misunderstood in a podcast called <a href="https://www.gladwellbooks.com/landing-page/malcolm-gladwell-podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Revisionist History</em></a>.</p>



<p>Here are six things he shared in his workshop about building influence that can apply whether you’re in charge of a small team of three, your town, your massive corporation or just your personal life.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-re-think-what-influence-means">1. Re-think what influence means</h2>



<p>Influence used to mean expertise. Now, influence can come from anyone, for better or worse — think a celebrity or just someone who’s relatable to you. That person is no longer necessarily an expert in the subject they’re influencing you in. So, the term “influence” itself is changing, Gladwell said.</p>



<p>Additionally, <em>how</em> we’re influenced now may not be how we’ll be influenced in the future. Social media platforms, although it doesn’t feel like it (especially as <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/latest-buzz-on-bluesky/">BlueSky</a> surges in almost instant popularity), are still in their infancy. The ways we use these platforms now may not be the ways we use them in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-don-t-be-quick-to-toss-out-your-old-ideas">2. Don’t be quick to toss out your old ideas</h2>



<p>What do you do with your greatest idea from last week or last year? It’s likely discarded in the back of a journal or hidden in the files of your mind or computer. But Gladwell explained that old ideas might just need recontextualization.</p>



<p>“What looks outdated is as often as not, simply out of context,” he said. So, before you completely abandon ideas you previously had, take some time to consider them in a new light.</p>



<p>A good formula for coming up with ideas is considering contradictory ones and looking for connections. Think about this when revisiting your old ideas as well.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-if-your-idea-turns-out-to-be-wrong-own-up-to-it">3. If your idea turns out to be wrong, own up to it</h2>



<p>In 2000’s <em>The Tipping Point</em>, Gladwell discussed the "<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/broken-windows-theory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broken windows</a> theory,” which argues that aggressively addressing minor crimes could lead to declines in major criminal activity. While Gladwell didn’t come up with the theory himself, he did help repopularize it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In his <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_the_tipping_point_i_got_wrong?rss=172BB350-0207&amp;subtitle=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TEDNext</a> talk 24 years later, Gladwell admitted that he had been wrong. The broken windows theory was applied to crime management in New York City in the ‘90s and ‘00s, inadvertently increasing the number of “stop and frisk” incidents, mostly for Black and brown young men. After “stop and frisk” ended in 2013 due to a lawsuit, crime rates in New York City still <a href="https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/malcolm-gladwell-broken-windows-apology-ted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continued to decline</a>.</p>



<p>“You think you [would] lose face with other people in your circle if you say you were wrong. The opposite is true<strong>—</strong>I think people actually appreciate it,” he said. “It sets an example that I think is really wonderful and kind of freeing in an organization…. That process of self-correction and reevaluation is much, much easier than most people realize.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-allow-your-story-to-change">4. Allow your story to change</h2>



<p>The whole point of stories is that they don’t always remain exactly the same. Don’t be so focused on your original story that you restrict it and don’t let it adapt.</p>



<p>Gladwell pointed to the “astonishing, sudden change in the way the American public felt about gay marriage that no one predicted would happen” as evidence of this. Once the narrative was in place, things shifted very quickly culturally, and a new story was shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Gladwell discussed our power as change agents when we allow the story to change. He described someone he knew who held the unofficial role of the “company storyteller”—a person everyone went to with their stories, concerns and more. He had been laid off because his formal position had become “less relevant.”</p>



<p>But “this guy played an informal role in the company that was extremely important…. He was this kind of glue between different social groups in the company,” Gladwell said. “Being alert to these kinds of social roles that employees play is a really important part of maintaining the power to change [the] story.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-create-a-safe-space-for-getting-feedback">5. Create a safe space for getting feedback</h2>



<p>Part of creating a safe space is asking for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/your-idea-didnt-fail-you-just-got-feedback/">feedback</a> early on. Don’t wait until the last minute. Allow yourself time to collect and reflect on the feedback.</p>



<p>Additionally, make sure the people you ask for feedback are well-intentioned. You need to trust them and know that they have a goal of making your ideas better.</p>



<p>“I opened myself up to [asking for feedback].... [it] was a difficult thing to do, but then I realized… I've created a very, very safe environment for getting feedback—safe in two ways,” Gladwell said. “One is, I've made sure I've done it early enough in the process that I haven't already put a stake in the ground…. And two, you have to make sure that the people who are responding to you are well intentioned. You must trust them. They need to be aligned with the goal of making you, making your ideas better. A lot of criticism is not well intentioned.” Gladwell added that when this process works well, it’s an “enormous confidence boost.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-don-t-forget-about-the-next-generation">6. Don’t forget about the next generation</h2>



<p>Gladwell believes <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/components-of-emotional-intelligence/">social skills</a> and flexibility will be huge in the workforce going forward. Don’t neglect to instill these traits in your children or the next generation.</p>



<p>He noted that in decades past, people weren’t considering the idea that they could have a second career. “Thirty years ago, if you talked to a police officer and you said you're going to have a second career starting in your 40s as a commercial airline pilot, they would have said it's impossible,” he said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flexibility is key to unlocking new opportunities. Be open to having multiple careers, not just one. And with Gladwell’s tips at hand, you just might establish and expand influence in all of them as well.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo courtesy of Ross Howey Photo/Shutterstock</em></strong></p>

Learn how to lead, think and build influence among others around you, according to renowned author Malcolm Gladwell.

Learn how to lead, think and build influence according to Malcolm Gladwell.

6 Malcolm Gladwell Tips for Building Influence | SUCCESS

How to Lead, Think and Build Influence Like Malcolm Gladwell

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Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>“By the end of 2025 a bingo card is gonna hate to see me coming… because yep, I’m gonna make one, I’m gonna use it, and I’m gonna achieve all my goals.” Tiara, a writer <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@tiaraiswriting/video/7445347028311248159" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posting on TikTok</a> wonders why she didn’t think of this before. “It’s genius.” While some people make lists or <a href="https://budgetgirl.com/bingo-vision-board-new-years-resolutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision boards</a> with inspo pictures of who they want to be or what they want to do, a new trend is taking hold: bingo cards.</p>



<p>Think of it as a little bucket list for your New Year’s goals, but in the literal shape of a bingo card. Last year, one <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mkwcreative.co/video/7317455127915384107" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brand design team</a> posted their bingo cards on TikTok, including goals like winning a designer award, reaching certain numbers of social media followers and signing specific types of clients from new industries. On Reddit, <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/GetMotivated/comments/ksjaw3/image_for_the_last_6_years_ive_made_myself_a_new/?rdt=41055" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one user posted</a> about how they’ve been making bingo cards for six years, including items like “solo mission,” “blood donation” and “home upgrades.”</p>



<p>“Reframing resolutions from a homework assignment or a task that “has to get done” to a playful achievement that you “get to do” is genius, says <a href="https://www.nikkiinnocent.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nikki Innocent</a>, holistic career coach in New York.</p>



<p>Here’s how this new format might be just the inspo you need to bag that resolution list or vision board, and prepare to ring in 2026 a year from now with that bingo board complete.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-a-bingo-card-might-work-better-for-you-than-a-vision-board">Why a bingo card might work better for you than a vision board</h2>



<p>For the less crafty among us, we might wonder why it matters if it’s a bingo card, a list, a vision board, a pile of Post-its or a note in our phones. Innocent shares the reasoning behind gamifying your resolutions.</p>



<p>“Neurobiologically, this reframe will activate the brain’s reward system, increasing dopamine, which has been shown to enhance <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-stay-motivated-at-work-during-difficult-times/">motivation</a>, attention and pleasure, while also supporting your memory. Not only is the dopamine a huge bonus to this playful approach, but it also fosters neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways or connections, which is vital for learning new skills and tapping into innovative solutions to old problems or obstacles,” she says. And, of course, bingo cards are just more fun.</p>



<p>“Play also is a wonderful entry point for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/11-strategies-for-managing-stress/">regulating your stress</a>—it lowers your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) which improves your ability to mentally process, while also reducing the drain on your body that stress, especially chronic stress, inflicts. Often issues like burnout are a result of a stuck stress response system, but play is one of the key ways to break through the common sticking point of processing the stress that gets held in your body.”</p>



<p>She points to the fact that we are more likely to solve complex challenges through playful approaches rather than rigid processes, including “gamifying” tasks.</p>



<p>Most people don’t keep their resolutions. Some <a href="https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/studies-show-91-percent-of-us-wont-achieve-our-new-years-resolutions-how-to-be-9-percent-that-do.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> even show that 91% of people fail to achieve the goals they set for the new year. So clearly, we are going to need all the gamification we can get.</p>



<p>“The act of sharing your goals is also something that’s been shown to increase your likelihood of achieving them,” Innocent adds. So you can even post your bingo card in a high-traffic place in your home, such as your fridge, to keep you motivated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-your-own-bingo-card-and-achieve-your-goals">How to make your own bingo card and achieve your goals</h2>



<p>First, you don’t have to make your own bingo card. Premade bingo cards with common goals to try out are available to print online. For example, <a href="https://www.purewow.com/wellness/new-years-resolution-bingo-card" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PureWow’s</a> printables include spaces like “try a new social hobby (Billiards! Dancing! Art group!),” “read two fiction books” and “make one new friend.”</p>



<p>However, if you’re starting from scratch, here’s what to do:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Choose a board</strong>: It can be a dry erase board, bulletin board, poster or a simple piece of paper or journal page.</li>



<li><strong>Make your grid</strong>: You can draw the grid with a marker, use strips of decorative tape or any other tools you want to make a 25 box table (5 rows by 5 columns) with enough room to write your goals in each. If you are using a Google Doc, you can go to “Insert” and make a 5x5 table in just a few clicks.</li>



<li><strong>Personalize it</strong>: Add images, colors, borders, or any other things that make it feel more like you or that you find inspirational.&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>Fill in your goals</strong>: Select goals that are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-set-goals/">SMART</a>—meaning specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound—to improve your success rate. Choose fun goals, like try a new type of latte to get out of a rut, along with more serious goals for variety.</li>



<li><strong>Select a marker: </strong>How will you mark off a goal when you’ve done it? You can use simple Post-it notes on a big chart on the wall, you can check off your goals with a pen or you can use a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/achievement-stickers/s?k=achievement+stickers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reward sticker</a> (after all, it felt great to get one on your papers in elementary school, right?).</li>



<li><strong>Reward yourself: </strong>If it’s been a while since you’ve played a real game of bingo, the objective is to get five in a row—diagonally, vertically or horizontally. When you accomplish this, you can yell "bingo!" (Even if you are by yourself! Trust me, it’s fun.) You can decide on a rewards system such as purchasing a small prize for yourself. Or, you can simply bask in the glory of accomplishing your goal, especially knowing most people don’t make it that far with their resolutions.</li>



<li><strong>Bingo with a friend</strong>: Most games are better together. Have a friend or your work team make one as well and compare successes together as you go.</li>
</ul>



<p>“Bingo card goal setting is a fun and novel idea that might work for many people—especially us with ADHD. As an ADHD business owner and lover of vision boarding, this unique way of setting goals feels like it will keep the excitement going all year long,” says <a href="https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/resourceguide/meg-oneill-coaching" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meg O’Neill</a>, an intuitive business coach in North Andover, Massachusetts. She even decided to reward herself with a special prize each time she got bingo. “I know that will have me focused on reaching certain goals at certain times. It is unique, spices up something you might have done many years in a row and is getting me excited for a new year.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>And remember, you don’t have to take the task too seriously. As O’Neill says, “We all could use a little more fun!”</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo courtesy of Boontoom Sae-Kor/Shutterstock</em></strong></p>

Learn how to make your very own bingo card that will help and motivate you to achieve your goals in the new year.

Here’s how it will help you achieve your goals in the new year.

How To Make a Bingo Card for Your 2025 Goals | SUCCESS

Bingo Cards Are in and Vision Boards Are Out, For a Much More Fun and Successful 2025 

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girl crossing arms and saying no in front of a computer

<p>NO: Two little letters with big meaning when used correctly. The word “no” has the power to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-burned-out/">prevent burnout</a> by helping us draw boundaries and set priorities in our personal and professional lives. Saying “no” allows us more time to say “yes” to what matters most to us so our schedules better reflect our values.</p>



<p>Arivee Vargas, a certified executive coach in the Boston area, works with women on burnout prevention and uses the word “no” to do so. She speaks from a place of experience.</p>



<p>“Burnout isn’t just ‘I had a stressful week.’ It’s a chronic stressful period, meaning it is a long period of time. You become ineffective. You become nonfunctional,” she says. “It was a very dark time for me because it was coupled with depression and anxiety. I would say I’d been through depressive episodes before, like postpartum... but nothing as dark, as bad as burnout.”</p>



<p>Though she had some potential support, such as parents who lived nearby as she navigated work and parenthood, she says she wasn’t one to reach out.</p>



<p>“I was so intent on ‘I can do this. I am strong. I will figure this out. Like, get it together.’ I was trying to push through,” she says.</p>



<p>Now, she teaches others how to do the opposite using the tools she learned along the way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-no-is-too-much-try-not-yet">If ‘no’ is too much, try ‘not yet’</h2>



<p>Do you answer emails from others that feel urgent just minutes after you receive them, even if it’s late at night? Vargas wants you to reconsider the meaning of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-separate-the-urgent-from-the-important/">urgency</a> and explore not answering right away.</p>



<p>“Things are not urgent. What we do is think nonurgent is urgent, and we respond too quickly,” she says. “[In burnout], you don’t recognize the capacity that you actually don’t have. You have to practice pause.”</p>



<p>In most businesses, a response time of 24 to 48 hours is acceptable, with some exceptions, so use that time to your advantage.</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/setting-boundaries-at-work/">Boundaries</a> aren’t about controlling someone else’s behavior but instead about controlling how you respond, Vargas explains. In this case, drawing the boundary of not answering an email you receive at 8 p.m. is more effective than trying to control when someone emails you. Saying nothing is communication too, she adds.</p>



<p>A side benefit of practicing pause? Sometimes issues work themselves out in the time you didn’t answer, ultimately creating less work for you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-say-no-to-scheduling-over-your-personal-time">Say ‘no’ to scheduling over your personal time</h2>



<p>If you receive a request for a meeting that will take place during your gym time, lunch break or vacation, it’s time to pull out that little two-letter word and say, “no.” Vargas wants clients to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-value-yourself-by-valuing-your-time/">prioritize time</a> for themselves, whatever that looks like.</p>



<p>“You need personal focus time every single day. I don’t care how long it is. It needs to be something that’s just for you, that’s protected. You don’t let anyone schedule over it,” she says. “This is for your well-being. This will make you show up better for yourself. It’s fundamental to you and your life.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-make-sure-the-yeses-on-your-calendar-reflect-your-real-priorities">Make sure the ‘yeses’ on your calendar reflect your real priorities</h2>



<p>Think about that parent who always misses recitals and games for work, even events that have long been on the calendar. Do they have their “priorities straight?" Calendars reflect values, Vargas explains. If you open your calendar app right now, will it show that your commitments reflect your values?</p>



<p>Pay attention to that missed commitment that’s been bothering you to find out what you really care about, Vargas adds.</p>



<p>“If something is really upsetting you or really frustrating for you, it’s a sign that’s triggering you because it’s violating a core value that you have,” she says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-determine-your-ruthless-priorities">Determine your ‘ruthless priorities’</h2>



<p>It might be your family. It might be your fitness. It might be your work. It might be retiring at 45 to spend your next 40 years rock climbing around the world. Whatever it is, protect it fiercely, Vargas says. The word “no” has the power to protect what Vargas calls “ruthless priorities.”</p>



<p>“You’re setting a limit that’s based on some guideline you have. You’re trying to protect something, like your energy or your time. Maybe it’s your productivity at work, like getting stuff done, trying to protect that time to do that. But it has to be based on something that you really believe in, that you’re really convicted in,” she says. “If you don’t believe in it, and you’re not convicted in it, you’re gonna fold every time someone tries to encroach on it. You have to know your nonnegotiables, which are rooted in your priorities.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-and-practice-how-to-actually-use-the-word-no">Learn—and practice—how to actually use the word ‘no’</h2>



<p>If you haven’t flexed your “no” muscles in a while, you might need a refresher. Here are some ways to use the word in your personal and professional life:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“Thanks so much for asking me to help. I appreciate the opportunity. However, I have to pass this time, as I’m too swamped this week. Looking forward to helping you next time.”</li>



<li>“Unfortunately, I’m not available for/on X. How about X, X or X, instead?”</li>



<li>“Can’t make it this time. Looking forward to the next one!”</li>



<li>“No, I’m not comfortable with that. But how about [alternative offer]?”</li>



<li>“Now isn’t a good time for me.”</li>



<li>“No, thank you.”</li>
</ul>



<p>Use your judgment on timing (don’t wait until the last minute to decline an offer), as well as on tone (you might not speak to your boss the same way you speak to your coworker). But ultimately, integrating the word “no” into your regular vocabulary will steer you toward a schedule full of the “yeses” you want to prioritize. </p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Image by Andrii Iemelianenko/Shutterstock</em></p>



<p><em>This article originally appeared in the November <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/subscriptions/">issue of SUCCESS+ digital magazine</a>.</em></p>

Saying ‘no’ helps set boundaries, prevent burnout and prioritize personal values. Learn how ‘no’ creates space for what matters.

Saying ‘no’ helps set boundaries, prevent burnout and prioritize personal values. Learn how ‘no’ creates space for what matters. | SUCCESS

How to Say No to Prevent Burnout at Work and Home

How Saying ‘No’ Prevents Burnout and Builds Boundaries | SUCCESS

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business owner using a tablet device while in her office

<p>As a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-run-a-successful-startup-business/">business owner</a>, your to-do list might seem miles long. Add to that list a new government-mandated action item to prioritize by the end of the year. This new requirement—which could cost businesses up to $500 per day for a continuing violation—applies to many businesses in the U.S., but not everyone knows about it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Meet the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Rule, intended to combat bad actors hiding in shell companies. The Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule requires businesses created before Jan. 1, 2024, to fill out paperwork and report it to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by the end of the year.</p>



<p>“When I launched California Contractor Bond &amp; Insurance Services and became president of Pacific United Insurance… I didn’t give much thought to the BOI reporting requirement,” says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/insurancebymike/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Benoit</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.contractorbond.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Contractor Bond &amp; Insurance Services</a> and President of Pacific United Insurance in San Diego. “It was one of those regulations that initially appeared insignificant—until it escalated into a significant concern.” </p>



<p>Similarly, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bajda-139b80/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chris Bajda</a>, an e-commerce entrepreneur and managing partner at <a href="https://groomsday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GroomsDay</a>, an online supplier of groomsmen gifts in Connecticut, says, “I have to admit that the BOI reporting requirement wasn’t always something that was on my radar. Like many small business owners, my focus was primarily on growth, customer service and operations—areas that directly impact the bottom line.”</p>



<p>Here’s what business owners need to know to prevent significant repercussions.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-beneficial-ownership-information-report">What is the Beneficial Ownership Information Report?</h2>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.fincen.gov/boi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FinCEN</a>, “Beneficial ownership information refers to identifying information about the individuals who directly or indirectly own or control a company.”<br></p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/small-business-corporate-transparency-act#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Corporate%20Transparency,national%20security%20and%20economic%20integrity." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corporate Transparency Act</a> (CTA) enacted in 2021 created a law requiring reporting of beneficial ownership information. This helps the U.S. government make it harder for scammers to hide or benefit from shell companies or other scam structures. Brittany Turner, a CPA and CFP at <a href="https://countless.io/our-team/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Countless</a>, says the CTA builds on the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, which Congress passed to “crack down on illegal activity—like money laundering, corruption and tax fraud.”</p>



<p>“Advocates believe that increasing transparency in business ownership will help prevent criminals from hiding illegal gains, cash and other property in the U.S. And that’s where beneficial ownership information reporting requirements enter the chat,” she says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-required-to-complete-boi-reporting">Who is required to complete BOI reporting?</h2>



<p>Two types of companies, known as “reporting companies,” are required to report. Per FinCEN’s website:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li> “Domestic reporting companies are corporations, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-an-llc/">limited liability companies</a> and any other entities created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or any similar office in the United States.”</li>



<li>“Foreign reporting companies are entities (including corporations and limited liability companies) formed under the law of a foreign country that have registered to do business in the United States by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or any similar office.”</li>
</ol>



<p>FinCEN states that 23 types of businesses are exempt<strong> </strong>from reporting, including many nonprofit organizations. They are listed on the FinCEN website as follows: Securities reporting issuers, governmental authorities, banks, credit unions, depository institution holding companies, money services businesses, securities brokers or dealers, clearing agencies or securities exchanges, other Exchange Act registered entities, investment companies or advisers, venture capital fund advisers, insurance companies, state-licensed insurance producers, Commodity Exchange Act registered entities, accounting firms, public utilities, financial market utility companies, pooled investment vehicles, tax-exempt organizations, organizations that assist a tax-exempt entity, large operation companies, subsidiaries of certain exempt organizations and inactive entities.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-can-access-this-information">Who can access this information? </h2>



<p>Submitting sensitive information, whether it’s personal or business-related, should always necessitate the following questions: One, who is receiving this information? And two, who is responsible for keeping it secure? According to FinCEN’s website, the following groups may be permitted access to beneficial ownership information:&nbsp;</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Federal agencies conducting national security, intelligence or law enforcement activity</li>



<li>State, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies with court authorization </li>



<li>The Department of the Treasury</li>



<li>Foreign law enforcement, judges, prosecutors and other authorities. (They must have a submitted request through a U.S. federal agency and be inquiring about activities relating to national security, law enforcement and intelligence.) </li>



<li>Financial institutions with customer due diligence requirements under applicable law</li>



<li>Federal functional regulators or other appropriate regulatory agencies that oversee financial institutions to ensure they are complying with customer due diligence requirements.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-consequences-of-not-filing-a-boi-report">What are the consequences of not filing a BOI report?</h2>



<p>Few mandates carry such a severe penalty. The penalties for not filing according to BOI reporting requirements are fines of up to $500 <em>per day</em> of continued violation. This amount is subject to inflation, and according to the most recently updated FinCEN FAQs, the amount is currently $591.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Additionally, according to FinCEN, the individual who “willfully violates the BOI reporting requirements may also be subject to criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.”<br></p>



<p>FinCEN lists potential violations of the BOI reporting requirement as “willfully failing to file a beneficial ownership information report, willfully filing false beneficial ownership information, or willfully failing to correct or update previously reported beneficial ownership information.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-weren-t-some-business-owners-aware-of-the-mandate">Why weren’t some business owners aware of the mandate?</h2>



<p>Business owners report not being aware of the mandate until uncomfortably late in the year. “I'm honestly not sure how I was supposed to find out about it. I have both an accountant and an attorney that I work with, and neither one has mentioned anything,” says Rachel Lindteigen, president and founder of <a href="https://www.etchedmarketing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Etched Marketing Academy</a> in Tucson, Arizona. “It was the HOA management company that told us we needed to do this for the board a few weeks ago that put it on my radar for the business, too.” She filed her paperwork recently and it was approved. But while she found it to be an “easy process,” she worries about how she’ll find out information regarding similar mandates in the future. </p>



<p>“I distinctly remember a deal that almost fell through because of it. One of our new institutional partners required full BOI compliance before moving forward, and we were missing some pieces. We scrambled to get the documentation in order, which nearly cost us the deal,” says Shaun Bettman, a mortgage broker at <a href="https://www.eemortgagebroker.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eden Emerald Mortgages</a> in Sydney, Australia. “Since then, we’ve incorporated BOI compliance checks into our onboarding process to make sure it never slows us down again.”</p>



<p>Businesses can find more info on BOI reporting on the FinCEN website. They have a thorough <a href="https://www.fincen.gov/boi-faqs#K_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAQs page</a> where you’ll find many answers to the most common questions.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><strong><em>Photo courtesy of PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock</em></strong></p>

Learn about the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule and why this government-mandated action is important for business owners.

Learn about why this new rule is important for business owners to know.

The Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule | SUCCESS

Everything Business Owners Need to Know About the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule 

Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Explained | SUCCESS

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Learn about the Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule and why this government-mandated action is important to business owners.

Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule Explained | SUCCESS

a woman using a pen to write in a notebook

<p>From the young age of 6, I wanted to be a writer. I honed my craft in a tiny purple journal with a kitten on the cover. Each entry started with “Dear Darla”—the name of the journal, of course. While I had the habits of a writer down pat, I didn’t expect the path forward to unfold as it did. Here’s my story.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-late-teens-and-20s">My late teens and 20s</h3>



<p>Age 18: I just want to be a writer, so I publish my first news article in the local paper as a high school senior. I make $15 to spend on going to the movies with friends.</p>



<p>Age 22: I’m a teacher, and sometimes I write for fun. I graduated journalism school in a recession as newsrooms were closing and print publications were dying.</p>



<p>Age 28: I still want to be a writer, but I’m also still a teacher. I wonder daily if I took the right path.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-30s">My 30s</h3>



<p>Age 33: I am a teacher-writer. To stay sane during COVID-19, I started helping more publications cover the pandemic news. Meanwhile, virtual teaching kills my love for education one Zoom call at a time.</p>



<p>Age 34: I become a writer. But I was one all along, right? I turn in my resignation letter for teaching when my freelancing income starts to outpace my teaching income. I establish my LLC and start calling myself a small business owner of a marketing and media company.</p>



<p>Age 36: Pregnant with my fifth child, I scramble to finish my last deadlines and turn in client work before going into labor. I’m able to work part-time as a freelancer—a must with my gaggle of kids—and make more than triple the income I would have made while teaching. Why did they always say creatives can’t make any money?</p>



<p>Age 37: I update my website from “writer” to much more after realizing my freelance business has expanded. I write: “I am a journalist, copywriter, content marketing writer, editor, content strategist and coach to other freelance business owners.” And, I also post my favorite clips and client work, everything from the <em>Washington Post</em> and <em>Consumer Reports</em> to collaborations with Johnson &amp; Johnson, <em>What to Expect</em> and hospital systems across the country. I haven't "made it." I feel like I’m just getting started.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thriving-on-your-own-as-a-freelancer">Thriving on your own as a freelancer</h2>



<p>Freelance life isn’t for everyone—but it is for the 64 million Americans (38% of the U.S. workforce) making it out there on their own, according to a <a href="https://investors.upwork.com/news-releases/news-release-details/upwork-study-finds-64-million-americans-freelanced-2023-adding" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2023 UpWork survey</a>. This was the highest number in history of freelancers working in the U.S. The future looks bright, with 85% of freelancers reporting their best days of freelancing are ahead of them.</p>



<p>Freelancing is the first job I’ve woken up each day excited about. The possibilities of expanding your own business based on your own availability, interests and strengths, and rejecting those that don’t serve you, is incredibly empowering. Have a toxic boss? Not with freelancing. You are the boss, for better or worse—but it’s usually for the better.</p>



<p>This level of flexibility means that on Friday mornings, I go garage-saling with my mom and kids for retro purses and new toys. It means heading to the gym at the time of day my body needs it the most, not when my company gives me a break. It also means hand-selecting clients, publications and “colleagues” who radiate positive energy, thus curating my environment to feel meaningful and uplifting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moments-of-frustration">Moments of frustration</h2>



<p>Freelancing isn’t all freedom and bliss and big dollar signs and creative brainstorms. It’s a lot of work, especially in the beginning. Nobody teaches you how to run a business or who to ask about running a business.</p>



<p>You’re often chasing payments and following up again and again on <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/unpaid-invoices/">outstanding invoices</a>. Editors and project managers don’t “owe” freelancers anything, like they do their own staff, so they might stop communicating midproject and change directions completely and without explanation.</p>



<p>At first, finding and building relationships and creating an avenue for a continuous stream of business is a struggle. But with patience and consistency, it’s not only doable—it’s also worth the wait.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-depend-on-friends-and-others-you-trust">Depend on friends—and others you trust</h2>



<p>My friends are my exceptionally helpful assistants. Finding an assistant is a worthy but daunting endeavor. But as a freelancer and a solo business owner, having another person or two who knows the ins and outs of your business means a second set of eyes to catch mistakes (like when I scheduled a deadline out two years from now) and someone to handle tasks unrelated to your creative process, such as invoicing.</p>



<p>Some freelance coaching clients I work with are hesitant to hand off any part of their business to someone else, but at some point the reward outweighs the risk. It helped them to start delegating smaller items before all of the invoicing or email management.</p>



<p>Assistants and friends along the way, such as other solo business owners, become your colleagues. And everyone needs colleagues, even if you are remote.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-s-talk-money">Let’s talk money</h2>



<p>At a family reunion, my great aunt introduced me as a “mommy blogger,” which she meant as a compliment. But images of bloggers, writers and other creatives send an outdated message of “starving artists,” which doesn’t have to be the truth in freelance life.</p>



<p>At first, it helped to have my freelance work as a side gig to my regular career, as many do. As my career ramped up, I had to consider tough work-life balance decisions, such as investing in full-time day care.</p>



<p>Growing a business can feel like a full-time job—and I’ve been through times where it certainly was one—but I ultimately settled on 20- to 25-hour weeks to achieve a healthy balance between self-care, work, momming and trying to tame my family’s laundry mountain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-budgeting-and-financial-planning">Budgeting and financial planning</h3>



<p>I <a href="https://www.mooninvoice.com/blog/how-to-budget-as-a-freelancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">budget enough</a> to pay my assistants, which ends up being around 40 to 60 hours of work per month for them. Other expenses are minimal, including some seminars and workshops I want to attend, additional fees I incur from travel journalism on media trips, subscriptions to publications and other freelancer tools. I pay an accountant I love and have worked with a few coaches I also love, all of whom are worth the investment.</p>



<p>I pride myself on transparency in finances and encourage other women and creatives, especially, to do the same so everyone can see what is possible in this field. And, I started with that very first $15 story. In 2020, I had my first $1,000 month. In 2021, I had my first $10,000 month but had to account for an unpaid maternity leave, which is exceptionally difficult as a freelancer and requires diligent savings during and before pregnancy.</p>



<p>Then, in 2022, I passed my $20,000 month goal but became cautious of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-burned-out/">burnout</a>. I started to check my hours to ensure I was keeping that part-time schedule I’d committed to, not just a bottom line. In 2023, I reached $27,000 per month, but more importantly, I figured out how to save for a month of vacation.</p>



<p>This year, in addition to financial goals—which are incredibly important when you have five kids and shouldn’t have calculated how much college will cost in 18 years—I’m prioritizing stress management, exercise and going outside more. My financial goals are intertwined with finding people I love working with, who value my abilities and pay what I’m worth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-but-what-do-you-do-all-day-as-a-freelancer">But… what do you DO all day as a freelancer?</h2>



<p>I get this question a lot. Apparently, freelancing sounds a lot like sipping lattes in a cafe with a laptop and not like work to some folks. Here’s what a typical day looks like for me:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-morning">Early morning</h3>



<p>7 a.m.: My 3-year-old bangs on his door to come out. He wants to lie in my bed but gets mad if my other four kids beat him to it and brings the toddler rage. We all have a cuddle-up, pile-on-Mom-type situation for a few minutes before my husband leaves for work, ushering half of them out to day care. We ask Alexa about the weather, which informs whether I’ll put on my gym clothes first or a work-from-home outfit (I have sloppy ones and more put-together ones, depending on the agenda for the day, which I check next). I’ll scan my email, apps and bank accounts to see what’s happening while my kids get ready.</p>



<p>8 a.m.: I down a protein shake and a coffee and see the last of my five kids off to school or camp. I look around at the hot mess of a house and try to realize that I just happen to work here, and I don’t have to clean and work at the same time. Sometimes that mindset works and sometimes it doesn’t. On a great day, I thaw some meat from the freezer for dinner.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-morning">Morning</h3>



<p>9 a.m.: I head to the gym, which only happens on days I’ve blocked out on my calendar to prevent people from choosing that spot for interviews or client meetings. It’s a 30-minute, boot-camp style class that has been essential for my postpartum recovery. I pump breast milk in the car on the way back or during my first Zoom call.</p>



<p>10 a.m.: I’d like to say I’m deep in creative work at this point, but I’m typically still digging out of my inbox, which consistently fills up with publicist pitches, client requests and editor interactions throughout the day. I tend to jump around in my tasks, cleaning out some emails while sending some pitches to publications or new clients. My preference to bounce around between tasks, such as checking my email after finishing a trying chunk of an article, works best for me—something that took me a while to accept in the world of TikTok productivity “best practices.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-midday">Midday</h3>



<p>12 p.m.: I wrap up a few calls, such as an interview with an organic farmer in Iowa who specializes in growing crops for perinatal parents and a coaching client call with a freelancer hoping to gain more confidence in pitching editors. Then, I realize I haven’t eaten in a while when I see my neighbor come home from work for a lunch break—the world outside my office window is my timer. I text the babysitter back and answer a call from the school that one of my kids has a headache and needs to be picked up. I head out to get him—something that would have required taking half a day off (sometimes unpaid when I’d run out of sick days) as a teacher.</p>



<p>1:30 p.m: I start to lose steam and sometimes stop here for a bit. A chronic back problem that only eases with movement sends me outside on a walk with my Aussie-doodle rescue, Jack Frost. I lose, or maybe gain, a half hour in conversation about balancing work and home life with the neighbor, another remote worker out for a stroll.</p>



<p>2:30 p.m.: The kids start trickling in. My husband and I text about the complicated evening of practices and pickups, who is driving where and what we’re eating for dinner. I finalize a piece I’m editing between kids asking for snacks and showing me pictures they made. I have to relocate my train of thought a few times, but my kids’ brotherly banter signifies the workday is wrapping up.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-afternoon">Early afternoon</h3>



<p>4 p.m: Coffee break. Nonnegotiable. Sometimes with my mom, who lives nearby. I open some packages that have come in for product-testing articles, such as kid-sized kitchen knives or the best travel raincoats.</p>



<p>4:30 p.m.: I make dinner and the kids’ lunches for the next day, find sports uniforms, throw in a load of laundry and answer a question from my assistant via text or Trello board alerts.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evening-time">Evening time</h3>



<p>6 p.m.: I watch my kids’ soccer game, brainstorm a pitch about kids’ sports, then try to turn my work brain off.</p>



<p>8 p.m.: After putting the kids to bed, I flop down for quality time with my husband, which usually involves recounting the highs and lows of the day.</p>



<p>9:30 p.m.: I resist the urge to knock out some emails for the next day and go to bed instead.</p>



<p>I know this is one of the busiest and most chaotic times in my life, but at the end of the day, I realize how lucky I am. Having a flexible career, doing what I love and being able to close my laptop and head to the pool with my kids on a hot summer afternoon is the definition of success.</p>



<p><strong><em>This article appears in the</em></strong> <strong><em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/?page_id=74668">September 2024 issue</a> of SUCCESS+ Magazine</em></strong>. <strong><em>Photo by BongkarnGraphic/Shutterstock</em></strong>.</p>



<p></p>

Learn about Alexandra Frost’s day in the life as a freelancer and how she maintains an organized schedule while being a mom.

Learn about Alexandra Frost’s day in the life as a freelancer while being a mom.

A Day in the Life as a Freelancer | SUCCESS

A Day in the Life of a Freelancer

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girl hugging and small son showing toy to busy mother sitting at table with cup of coffee and using laptop against blurred interior of modern apartment

<p>At 11 p.m. in the emergency room with a sick or injured child, there’s just one thing on my mind as a mom of five—the best quality care for my kid. Oh, and the hundreds of dollars of savings I’m going to need to dip into for said care, unless I’m one of the lucky parents who don’t have to hand over next week’s grocery money as a co-pay just for stepping foot in the hospital.</p>



<p>As I search for quality day care for those same five kids, there’s just one thing on my mind—the highest-quality providers who I can entrust my most special little people with every day. And, of course, the $5,000 per month bill that comes with it (and I’m not even in a costly city like some parents).</p>



<p>And if (and that’s a really big “if”) I were to find out I was pregnant with another child, after I freaked all the way out, I’d wonder if my upcoming <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/taking-maternity-leave-while-self-employed/">maternity leave</a> would cost as much as the previous five have—around $10,000 in hospital bills and unaccounted for costs, thanks to no guaranteed parental leave policies in the U.S.</p>



<p>These <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/parenting-stress-surgeon-general-warning/">stressors</a>, and multiple others, are the reason parents need employers to offer competitive and comprehensive <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-employers-can-support-working-parents/">benefits packages</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sadie Funk, national director of <a href="https://bestplace4workingparents.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Best Place for Working Parents</a>, shares parents’ top requests for parental policies—a great starting point for employers wondering what to prioritize. They are, in order of priority: flexibility, paid time off, child care financial assistance, remote work, and parental leave. This is what families are prioritizing in a competitive job market and why employers should carefully consider their priorities to attract the most qualified candidates—even (and especially!) parents.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-insurance-package-options-for-families">The best insurance package options for families</h2>



<p>Comparing insurance can be a complex and baffling task. Employers who opt for packages that cover all the essentials and make it easy for employees to choose a plan are high on parents’ short lists of companies to work for.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dr. Kanwar Kelley, an ENT and co-founder and CEO of Side Health, a chronic condition management platform, shares that families also consider “critical factors” including:&nbsp;</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Comprehensive medical coverage</strong>: Includes inpatient and outpatient care, essential for routine checkups and unexpected visits.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>Specialist coverage</strong>: Ensure the plan covers pediatric and specialized care for family members’ specific health needs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>Emergency room (ER) coverage</strong>: Make sure emergency visits, which can be costly, are covered entirely or with low co-payments.</li>



<li><strong>Out-of-network coverage</strong>: Some plans restrict which providers you can use, so check if provider choice is flexible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li><strong>Deductibles and premiums</strong>: Understand the balance between monthly premiums and deductibles—low premiums might mean higher costs during emergency or specialist visits.</li>
</ul>



<p>“The balance between cost and coverage will be critical for small business owners, while large corporations can likely afford to provide plans with a wide variety of coverage options,” he adds. In addition to the above, families need access to specialists, preventive care and mental health support, he says. If employers can’t afford each of these, he recommends they “prioritize emergency care coverage and pediatric access, as these are immediate and essential needs for families.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Kelley also recommends employers look into flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts to ease the burden of out-of-pocket costs. “Additionally, they should look for telehealth options for after-hours care or minor issues, which could be a convenient alternative to late-night ER visits.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paid-parental-leave-the-great-distinguisher">Paid parental leave: The great distinguisher</h2>



<p>In a world where paid parental leave isn’t the law or the norm (yet), employers have a distinct opportunity to stand out in this area. You can bet parents on social media are comparing <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/paid-family-leave/">paid leave</a> options across companies and industries, determining not just how competitive salaries are, but how long and well-compensated parental leaves are too.</p>



<p>“The fifth most requested benefit is parental leave, which ensures parents can spend essential time with their newborns without financial stress. <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/observations/the-economics-of-paid-parental-leave/?redirect=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research</a> on paid parental leave shows that it impacted productivity (89%), performance (91%), turnover (96%) and employee morale (99%),” Funk says. If that’s not enough, there’s also plenty of research that has shown substantial <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10901981231188137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental and physical health benefits</a> associated with paid leave for both children and parents.</p>



<p>Until <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/paid-family-leave/">paid family leave</a> becomes a widespread norm in the U.S., employers have a unique opportunity, and perhaps societal obligation, to help.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-exercise-and-other-benefits">Mental health, exercise and other benefits</h2>



<p>There’s nothing like a free gym membership or mental health care provider access to get a parent the physical and emotional fitness they need to be a successful employee. Yet some of these perks go unrequested, ungranted and underutilized due to a lack of knowledge about the need for them. “Implementing small, cost-effective actions like flexibility and remote work can significantly enhance employee retention and loyalty,” Funk says.</p>



<p>Not sure which to prioritize? Ask the parents at your company. Most parents get it—employers aren’t (always) made of money and can’t afford every last request. But opening the door for more conversation and judgment-free input in the office around this topic could lead to greater change.</p>



<p>“Surveying employees to assess their unique needs can be a valuable tool for implementing impactful policies that both benefit employees and positively impact the business’s bottom line. A short employee survey can help determine where your employees are on the caregiving continuum and which policies could be most beneficial for both your company and your employees to ensure maximized ROI,” says Funk.</p>



<p>She also recommends other tools such as “caregiver employee resource groups (ERGs), employee surveys and open discussion sessions.” Employers should use a wide range of questions to research the best possible policies, she adds, and compare findings to current policies. Parents can compare findings across their industries’ landscape to determine if they are offering competitive enough benefits, she says.</p>



<p>Lastly, Funk urges employers to fully communicate the benefits they offer and model using those benefits themselves as leaders in the company. She encourages all parties to remember “it’s a ‘win-win’ approach” both for parents and for an employer’s bottom line.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>Photo by Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock</em></p>

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