Should you move for your career? The benefits of laughing at work, and more top insights

DEVELOPING: President Trump announced air strikes against Syrian military targets Friday evening, days after an alleged chemical attack by the Syrian government in the town of Douma. The strikes were carried out in cooperation with the United Kingdom and France, with Trump saying the attack was a deterrent against the spread and use of chemical weapons in war. Defense Secretary James Mattis said no additional attacks are planned at this time and future strikes will depend on whether Assad uses chemical weapons in the future. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which was held on Saturday. At that meeting, the Council rejected a proposal from Russia to condemn the attack. ? Follow updates here: #SyriaStrikes

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What’s happening in the world of work: The Saturday edition of the Daily Rundown highlights the business trends, perspectives, and hot topics you need to know to work smarter. Read on and join the conversation.

Why it’s good to swap desks: Switching where employees sit can give your company a much-needed innovation boost, according to research from Carnegie Mellon. Seating changes can put people from disparate teams closer to each other, creating new chances for serendipitous conversations and discoveries. Those opportunities can lead to new product ideas, services and other business opportunities that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. ? Share your thoughts: #DeskSwitch

The gender pay gap is especially harsh for mothers. On average, women in the U.S. earn $12,600 less than men before having children, according to a study from the Census Bureau. That gap grows to $25,100 after women have kids, and it’s especially pronounced — and long-lasting — for women who give birth between ages 25 and 35. That decade is a prime career-building period for many workers in which long, rigid hours are the norm and employees compete to climb the corporate ladder. ? Share your thoughts: #MotherGap

You Asked: “Is it better to work for a company in a large city for a couple of years with competitive pay and, if I don’t like it, move back to a smaller city? Or would just starting out where you want to live and stay there be better?” — Adam Lewis, intern at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah ? Join the conversation: #FirstJobCities

• “I think it all boils down to experience. Moving to a larger city for a job with a competitive pay will give you a completely different experience than a smaller town with a basic salary. As a recruiter, I look for candidates who have life experience as well as work experience. Everybody is different and there's no reason why you can't build a great career in a place you see yourself living for a long period of time. But if you're asking what I would do? I would take the risk. Remember, observe the masses and do the opposite. Do what scares you... that's when the exciting stuff happens.” — James Caan, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw (Read James Caan’s full response.)
• “There are things you should consider before location and compensation when applying for jobs. The most critical part of entering the workforce post-college is gaining relevant experience. I would recommend focusing on the jobs that will pave the path to your ideal career long-term, and what potential companies you would like to work for first. Location does play an important role in personal happiness, so focus on that next.” — Molly Moseley, SVP Marketing & Client Success at LinkUp (Read Molly Moseley’s full response.)

Looking for career advice from the pros? Submit your questions in the comments with #YouAsked and we’ll take care of the rest.

Funny business is good business. Laughter is a key ingredient for building a collaborative, creative culture at the office, BBC Capital reports. When we laugh, we engage a part of the brain that’s linked to connecting disparate ideas and we signal to others that we are open and relaxed. Such signals encourage others to follow, unleashing a virtuous cycle of creativity. How do you encourage a laugh-friendly culture? Have more social events and encourage face-to-face conversation. ? Share your thoughts: #LaughAtWork

Too-great expectations: Setting high expectations without offering support for stumbles makes quitting more appealing, especially for star workers. According to a study published by the Academy of Management Journal, lofty expectations can motivate employees, but they also increase the risk of embarrassment if things don’t go as planned. Top performers are more likely to cut their losses and quit a project early to save face. ? Share your thoughts: #ExpectationsPressure

One last idea: The business world often associates brash confidence with strength and humility with weakness. But speaking on stage at the TED Conference in Vancouver, Wharton’s Adam Grant emphasized that humility is far more powerful than we realize. ? Share your thoughts: #TED2018

"In the best teams, with the best leaders, it's actually a source of strength: It keeps us from resting on our laurels because we know that excellence is not believing you're the best, it's about always striving to get better."

What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories in the comments.

— Scott Olster / Share this using #DailyRundown