Summary: Dr. Sylvia Lafair stands out in the field of leadership development due to her innovative approach. She intertwines psychology and systems thinking with organizational behavior. This brings a unique perspective that has transformed how leaders and teams operate.
Dear Dr Sylvia,
I am one of your most ardent fans.
Through our work together, you helped me find a better work-life balance. Once I realized I was attempting to get the missing approval from my parents from my CEO, my behavior changed.
A song from Wicked says it all, “Knowing you has changed me for the better.”
I love that you are getting the recognition you deserve as a leadership educator and executive coach.
Signed,
Cheerleader
During award season you should speak up for yourself
Dear Cheerleader,
Thank you for the recognition. It has not always been an easy path.
I started doing executive and team coaching before it was popular. Many thought combining family dynamics with team interactions was risky.
I had to learn a new language and create models that were easy to understand.
For example, as a woman leader, I teach that it is sometimes good to “toot your own horn. ”
This week is one of those times.
I have been named one of the “Top 30 Global Leadership Gurus” for the past decade from www.globalgurus.org. Once again, for 2025, I am also on that robust list. I have also been named a “Top 30 Global Leadership Speaker.” So, a double win to start this new year.. (Horn tooting!)
Here is a summary of how I stepped into a new career by pure chance.
Pay attention and take a chance to leap to success
Years ago, the transition from clinical psychologist to business coach seemed worlds apart. Yet fate has a way of putting the right people in our paths at exactly the right time. This means we must pay attention and take a chance.
Here is how it happened. I completed a seminar for parents frustrated with their teens’ behavior when a man approached me with a curious request.
Initially, I assumed he wanted to discuss a son or daughter yet, that was far from his mind.
“Would you come to my company and work with my executive leadership team?” he asked.
Taken aback, I asked a very basic “Huh? Why?” was all I could muster.
He responded, “They are fighting and gossiping just like the teens you talked about tonight.”
I offered the following comment with a shrug of my shoulders: “So what! That’s the way of the work world.”
He persisted, “But, Sylvia, you help families get along better. This team is not a family yet; they need to get along better.”
Curiosity can lead you to a life of deep learning and rewards
That certainly made sense. Out of curiosity I took the challenge and went to meet with his ELT team of eight high level professionals.
I used family dynamics and systems thinking to help the team find better ways to communicate and collaborate.
He hired me to continue working with senior teams throughout the organization. The rest, as they say, is history.
Here is an idea of why my work is different. I have included a Podcast with some interesting stories. It will give you a better idea of how patterns from childhood show up at work. And what you can do about it.
One significant contribution is identifying recurring behavior patterns that individuals carry from their personal lives into the workplace. In Don’t Bring It to Work, I explore how these ingrained patterns can hinder professional success. I also offer strategies for transforming them into productive behaviors.
Through my organization, Creative Energy Options (CEOinc), I developed programs that challenge traditional workplace dynamics. The PatternAware™ Leadership model (PAL) equips leaders with the tools to recognize and modify detrimental behavior patterns. This fosters healthier and more effective workplace relationships.
Leaders who are self-aware can make the required work changes more effectively
My work emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in leadership. By addressing the root causes of workplace conflicts and stress, work environments promote collaboration, innovation, and overall organizational success.
In summary, this is a unique integration of psychological principles with leadership development. It offers a transformative approach that empowers leaders to break free from limiting patterns and achieve their full potential.
We all know there are ingrained patterns that become outdated. To name a few, the pleaser, avoider, and procrastinator show up in most work settings.
In conclusion, the thirteen patterns I developed and their positive transformations can help a conflict-ridden organization change into one that resolves difficulties quickly and increases productivity.
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. For more insights into my approach to workplace communication, you might find this interview valuable:
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