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There was a time when leaders followed a linear path. Pick a lane, specialize, climb the ladder, and stay the course for decades. But that norm is unraveling. Global complexity demands leaders who are adaptive, integrative, and, above all, multifaceted. These individuals dont fit neatly into one category; they may be artists and scientists, coaches and corporate strategists, or data analysts and storytellers. And far from being a liability, these dualities are now an asset. To be successful in todays world, leaders need to connect across ideas, industries, and cultures. To be able to do that skillfully, you must play in more than one arena. Its no longer just about what you do during your nine-to-five. Its the sum of your experiences and the unique value you bring to the world. This requires you to embrace your full complexity, not just for personal growth, but also as a competitive edge. The future of leadership belongs to those who can hold nuance, navigate change, and bring their whole selves to the table. Less specializing, more integrating The old story was: Pick a lane and stay in it. Specialization was in favor. But now, as AI handles narrow expertise, whats left for us? The answer lies in focusing on integration and expression. The leaders who thrive now are those who connect dots across disciplines, sectors, and identities. They see what others miss because they live in more than one world. Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi didnt follow a linear path. She studied physics, chemistry, and math. She also played in a band and excelled at cricket. Then she eventually went on to pursue design thinking and innovation at Yale. Her leadership wasnt just data-driven; it was holistic. She could speak to Wall Street and public health advocates with equal ease. And under her leadership, PepsiCos revenue nearly doubled, rising from $35 billion to over $63 billion. The best leaders integrate diverse skills and experiences to drive innovation and connect more authentically with their teams. This integration not only broadens perspective but also deepens trust, fosters creativity, and empowers teams to operate with greater empathy and cohesion. Navigating change with agility Todays leaders are not only leading through change; they are the change. They embody fluidity, resilience, and the ability to evolve across multiple life chapters. In his book Range, journalist David Epstein writes: Approach your own personal voyage and projects like Michelangelo approached a block of marble, willing to learn and adjust as you go, and even to abandon a previous goal and change directions entirely should the need arise. After a few years of working in finance, Shuo Zhai followed his passion for architecture and pursued his master’s degree at Yale. He worked with Frank Gehry at Gehry Partnersand in parallel, he sings with the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Master Chorale, and works as a world-class chamber music pianist. He believes that his multidisciplinary approach enables better problem-solving, and deeper empathy and understanding, ultimately leading to more effective architecture and music. The ability to pivot and grow isnt built in one role: Its built across roles. Leaders who draw from multiple domains are more resilient and curious during transitions. In his own journey, Tony Martignetti transitioned from a finance and strategy executive in the life sciences industry to a leadership development facilitator and experience designer. Along the way, he reconnected with his identity as an artistbringing creativity, storytelling, and visual thinking into his work with leaders. That blend of analytical precision and artistic intuition has allowed him to help others navigate ambiguity, reimagine their narratives, and unlock new dimensions of their leadership. Where have you built resilience in one part of your life that could serve you in another? Why multifaceted leadership matters Jessica Wan, spent nearly two decades as a marketing and strategy executive at organizations such as Apple, San Francisco Opera, Smule, and Magoosh. Eventually, she transitioned into a leadership coach and venture partner. But shes continually applied learnings from her lifelong artistic identity as a musician and singer to leadership challenges. This rare blend of analytical acumen and creative sensibility enables her to help leaders navigate change and transform chaos into clarity. Jessica launched her podcast to spotlight individuals who embody this multidimensional path: a neuroscientist and an Indian classical dancer, an entomologist and a journalist, and a business professor and a Broadway investor. Their message? You dont have to shrink to fit in. When a young person says, I want to be an astronaut and a ballerina, we want to be able to say: Yes, you can. How to embrace being a multifaceted leader Leaders arent just executives. They are also musicians, poets, caregivers, podcast hosts, and community volunteers. And denying those dimensions leads to fragmentation and fatigue. Instead of hiding those parts, successful leaders integrate themand invite them into the room. We need to recognize the value of integrating these roles into our leadership approach. But before we can do so, we must first explore them. Heres a quick exercise to get you started: What is a role outside your professional life that matters deeply to you? What leadership traits have you developed from that role? How could you apply those traits to a current work challenge? This isnt just about driving career success; it is about living a more fulfilling life. Its about giving yourself and others permission to fully live into your potential. We believe this is the future of leadership: bold, complex, curious, and fully alive. For us, bringing our artistic backgrounds into the leadership space has profoundly shaped our work in the business world. The arts invite presence, reflection, and imaginationthree qualities that help leaders break free from rigid thinking and connect with the deeper purpose behind their work. Our invitation: Audit the dimensions of your identity, find the intersections, and show up fullynot just for your team, but for yourself. You dont have to choose between your roles. The world needs all of you.
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E-Commerce
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public via its recall website to be on the lookout for bags of frozen vegetables, due to possible contamination from Listeria. New York-based Endico Potatoes is voluntarily recalling peas and carrots and mixed vegetables sold between July 18 and August 4 in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The company ceased distribution of the product after sampling by the state of Pennsylvania revealed the presence of the bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date, and the FDA and Endico are continuing to investigate the cause. What is Listeria and what are the symptoms? Listeria monocytogenes is a type of disease-causing bacteria that is generally transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported, or stored in manufacturing or production environments contaminated with the bacteria, according to the FDA. Infection can lead to severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, poses a particular risk to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. In pregnant women, it can cause miscarriages and stillbirths. What is the product information for the recall? The product was packed in frozen 2.5-lb clear plastic bags under the Endico label. Details for the affected products are as follows: “PEAS AND CARROTS”: Lot number: 110625 Production date: June 11, 2025 Use by date: June 10, 2027 “MIXED VEGETABLES”: Lot number: 170625 Production date: June 17, 2025 Use by date: June 16, 2027 The lot codes are printed on the side of the bag. What if I have these products in my freezer? Consumers who have purchased Endico brand peas and carrots or mixed vegetables with these lot codes are urged to not consume the products and to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company by phone at 1-800-431-1398.
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E-Commerce
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, while hiring by private employers slowed in August, offering further evidence that labor market conditions were softening. The reports were released a day after government data showed there were more unemployed people than positions available in July for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Job growth has shifted into stall-speed, with economists blaming President Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs and an immigration crackdown that is hampering hiring at construction sites and restaurants. The slackening labor market likely positions the Federal Reserve to resume cutting interest rates later this month, though much would depend on August’s employment report to be published on Friday and consumer price data due next week. “We continue to see softness growing in the labor market as tariff policy uncertainty lingers, immigration changes take effect, and AI adoption grows,” said Eric Teal, chief investment officer at Comerica Wealth Management. “The silver lining is the weaker the jobs data, the more cover there is for stimulative interest rate cuts that are on the horizon.” Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 237,000 for the week ended August 30, the Labor Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 230,000 claims for the latest week. Still, layoffs remain relatively low as businesses generally hoard workers following difficulties in finding labor during the pandemic, anchoring the labor market. The unsettled economic environment, stemming from the protectionist trade policy has, however, left businesses reluctant to increase headcount. That hesitancy to hire means people who are laid off have difficulty landing new opportunities. The number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid slipped 4,000 to 1.940 million during the week ending August 23, the claims report showed. The Fed’s “Beige Book” report on Wednesday noted that “firms were hesitant to hire workers because of weaker demand or uncertainty.” The softening labor tone was reinforced on Thursday with the release of the ADP National Employment Report, which showed private employment increased by 54,000 jobs last month after advancing by 106,000 in July. The downbeat assessment of the labor market was also evident in the Institute for Supply Management survey, which showed a measure of services sector employment contracting for a third straight month in August. Economists, as a result, are bracing for another month of tepid job growth when the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes its closely watched employment report on Friday. A Reuters survey of economists estimated nonfarm payrolls increased by 75,000 jobs last month after rising by 73,000 in July. Employment gains averaged 35,000 jobs per month over the three months to July compared to 123,000 during the same period in 2024, the government reported in August. The unemployment rate is forecast to climb to 4.3% from 4.2% in July. Fed Chair Jerome Powell last month signaled a possible rate cut at the U.S. central bank’s September 16-17 policy meeting, acknowledging the rising labor market risks, but also added that inflation remained a threat. The Fed has kept its benchmark overnight interest rate in the 4.25%-4.50% range since December. Stocks on Wall Street were trading higher. The dollar rose against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury yields fell. Trade deficit widens Tariffs continued to influence trade data. A separate report from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis showed the trade deficit ballooned 32.5% to $78.3 billion in July amid record inflows of capital and other goods. The duties have caused wild swings in imports and ultimately the trade deficit, distorting the overall economic picture. A U.S. appeals court ruled last week that most of Trump’s duties, which have boosted the nation’s average tariff rate to the highest level since 1934, were illegal, creating more uncertainty for businesses. Imports soared 5.9% to $358.8 billion. Goods imports vaulted 6.9% to $283.3 billion. They were boosted by a $12.5 billion surge in imports of industrial supplies and materials, which reflected a $9.6 billion increase in non-monetary gold imports. But petroleum imports were the lowest since April 2021. Capital goods imports increased $4.7 billion to a record $96.2 billion, driven by computers, telecommunications equipment and other industrial machinery. Semiconductor imports declined $0.8 billion. Imports of consumer goods increased $1.3 billion, though pharmaceutical preparations imports fell $1.1 billion. Imports of motor vehicles, parts and engines decreased $1.4 billion. Exports rose 0.3% to $280.5 billion. Exports of goods edged up 0.1% to $179.4 billion. Capital goods exports increased $0.6 billion to a record $59.9 billion, lifted by shipments of computer accessories and civilian aircraft. Exports of excavating machinery fell $1.5 billion. Exports of motor vehicles, parts and engines increased $0.3 billion. Industrial supplies and materials exports decreased $0.2 billion as finished metal shapes dropped $2.5 billion. Non-monetary gold exports increased $2.9 billion. The goods trade deficit widened 21.2% to $103.9 billion. The goods trade deficit with China increased $5.3 billion to $14.7 billion. Imports of services increased $1.7 billion to a record $75.5 billion in July, reflecting rises in transport, travel and other business services. Exports of services increased $0.6 billion to a record high of $101.0 billion, driven by the transport, charges for the use of intellectual property as well as government goods and services. Travel services, however, dropped $0.3 billion amid the White House’s immigration crackdown. Trade subtracted a record 4.61 percentage points from GDP in the first quarter before sharply reversing and adding 4.95 percentage points in the second quarter, also the largest contribution on record. The economy grew at a 3.3% annualized rate last quarter after contracting at a 0.5% pace in the first three months of the year. Goldman Sachs lowered its third-quarter GDP growth estimate to a 1.6% rate from a 1.7% pace. “Disruptions from tariffs are still making their rounds across the economy and increased uncertainty continues to be present in firms’ decision-making processes,” said Eugenio Aleman, chief economist at Raymond James. Lucia Mutikani, Reuters
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E-Commerce
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