The value of personal recommendations on LinkedIn | Conflict mitigation is top soft skill employers want | Why the boss should, at times, be a silent observer
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April 3, 2025
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Getting Ahead
Recommendations on LinkedIn can boost a profile by offering testimonials about a person's work experience and highlighting soft skills, says recruiter Kathleen Nolan. These "little testimonials to what it's like to work with you and what it's like to be on a team with you," can go a long way, says Nolan, and they don't need to be more than a few sentences.
Full Story: CNBC (4/2) 
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Conflict mitigation is top soft skill employers want
(Westend61/Getty Images)
The "Skills on the Rise 2025" report from LinkedIn identifies the top soft skills employers seek today. Conflict mitigation, adaptability and innovative thinking rank high on the list, reflecting the changing dynamics of the workplace, as soft skills are challenging for AI to replicate.
Full Story: KNBC-TV (Los Angeles) (4/2) 
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As a leader, sometimes it's best to "mute" yourself and let your teams come up with their solutions before you offer your input, says Sanjay Khosla, an executive coach and adjunct professor at the Kellogg School, who outlines strategies for keeping the meeting productive. "Of course, the boss will make the decision at the end, when ready. But in the discovery workshop, their job is to simply listen and create an environment where everyone can thrive," says Khosla.
Full Story: Kellogg Insight (3/28) 
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Hire Smart
The AI skills gap is widening as businesses implement AI without structured approaches to building essential skills. A lack of comprehensive training programs for different AI literacy levels and roles within companies can derail the benefits of AI technologies.
Full Story: TechRadar (4/2) 
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The Landscape
Employers pull out the stops to sweeten RTO policy
(Mariia Vitkovska/Getty Images)
Employers are getting serious with their perks to help workers embrace return-to-office policies. Wellstar Health System offers "wellness rooms" -- spa-like spaces with massage chairs, nutritious snacks and soothing music. Delta Airlines and other companies are offering compressed hours, which let employees work longer hours Monday through Thursday in exchange for a three-day weekend.
Full Story: Fortune (tiered subscription model) (4/2) 
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Veterans bring valuable skills to the cybersecurity field, but they often face challenges transitioning to civilian roles due to cultural differences and the need for translating military experiences to civilian job requirements. Programs like the SANS Veterans Cyber Academy and Onward to Opportunity provide essential training and networking opportunities to help veterans transition to the industry.
Full Story: CSO (free registration) (4/2) 
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Your Next Challenge
Constant interruptions and information overload can hinder the ability to think strategically or make decisions. This article highlights the benefits of cognitive bandwidth management over traditional time management. Scheduling uninterrupted reflection time, delegating decisions, creating no-meeting zones and curating information intake can help you regain focus and enhance your effectiveness.
Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (4/1) 
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The Water Cooler
The Premier League automates offside calls
(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) in live matches starting April 12, aiming to speed up offside calls by 30 seconds on average. The system uses sensors from 30 cameras to track player positions and the ball. While the technology has been tested in other leagues, the Premier League's version does not include a chip in the ball, and Video Assistant Referee will remain as a backup for complex scenarios.
Full Story: Engadget (4/2) 
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SmartBreak: Question of the Day
In 1973, Martin Cooper made the first cellphone call from a prototype of the newly developed Motorola DynaTAC phone. A retail version of that phone finally made it to retail shelves 10 years later, for how much?
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I have behaved poorly. I have behaved bravely. I have behaved bizarrely to some. I deny none of this and have no regrets because I have lost and found parts of myself that I never knew existed.
Val Kilmer,
actor
1959-2025
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