Legal industry consultant Marsha Hunter has news for attorneys who don't practice their courtroom presentations: "Don't fall prey to the widespread myth that your inner Socrates or Atticus Finch will emerge as you approach the dais." In this commentary, Hunter points to athletes and musicians as examples of professionals who hone their skills intently.

Self-awareness of how your past experiences have shaped your values, being honest with yourself about old patterns and biases and working on your weaknesses can make you the kind of leader that others trust to make good decisions, writes LaRae Quy. "Since self-awareness makes it possible for leaders to understand the impact of their actions on others, it also helps them develop a natural compass for guiding their decisions," Quy writes.

Before accepting a job offer, it is vital to evaluate the company's culture to avoid toxic environments. Psychologist Christine Korol suggests researching the company via its website, social media, and employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed and ask questions about the company's culture during interviews to gauge the work environment.

Effective Aug. 28, the Freelance Isn't Free Act in New York State will provide freelancers with protections against non-payment and retaliation. The law requires written contracts for services worth $800 or more, timely payment and recordkeeping for six years. FIFA excludes certain professionals and mirrors New York City's 2016 law with some differences.

Preliminary revisions to employment data from the Labor Department show that the economy added 818,000 fewer jobs than previously thought during the 12 months through March. The preliminary revisions suggest that job growth was almost 30% below the initially reported numbers.

This week, a federal judge in Texas blocked the Federal Trade Commissions' ban on noncompete agreements, determining that the agency lacked authority to issue the rule. Bloomberg's Chris Marr discusses the the decision and implications for employers.

Use science fiction ideas as a starting point for exploring the future of work, write Boston Consulting Group's Martin Reeves and Adam Job, who suggest identifying a work-related issue, looking for relevant science fiction books, focusing on a few questions and treating the discussion as a game. "Science fiction can provide a spark for breaking the mold -- so leverage it, before reality overtakes the inspiration," they write.

This story is as much about the journey as it is about the photos. Photographer Kevin Hall embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, one of the most isolated communities in the western hemisphere. The village, home to 370 people, is accessible only by helicopter, boat, snowmobile, or limited flights. Guided by local Inuit hunters, Hall navigated extreme cold and rugged terrain to capture the serene beauty and resilience of this remote Arctic landscape.