Sylvia Lafair

A row of yellow rubber ducks dressed in business suits lined up on an office windowsill with a busy downtown skyline in the background, one duck facing forward in sunglasses, symbolizing The Ridicule Factor and the courage to stand out when leaving a company that no longer meets your needs.

The Ridicule Factor: When You Leave a Company That No Longer Meets Your Needs

By Sylvia Lafair | August 28, 2025 |

Summary: Forget the official goodbye emails and polite handshakes. The fear of gossip often haunts people when they resign. There is a whispered, “Can you believe she left? She’ll regret it.” Or the raised eyebrows that silently say, ”I bet he was really fired and they are just being politically correct.” Here are some thoughts…

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When Trauma Giants Falter: A Rashomon Moment at Omega Institute

By Sylvia Lafair | August 26, 2025 |

Summary: Leaders who can hold the “both/and” philosophy in our polarizing world are needed more than ever. CEO’s VP’s. therapists, educators, trainers, coaches, directors, and media do best when they lead others to better ways of interacting rather than telling them what is right or wrong. Here are some thoughts to consider. Dear Dr. Sylvia,…

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A leader walking across a bridge toward sunrise while an AI robot stands still, symbolizing personal growth as the real power move in the age of AI.

Why Personal Growth Is the Real Power Move for Leaders in the Age of AI

By Sylvia Lafair | August 20, 2025 |

Summary: Leaders today stand on a wild new bridge: one foot planted in timeless human capacities, such as empathy, courage, and intuition, and the other testing the unfamiliar terrain of artificial intelligence. The bridge is shaky. AI is moving at lightning speed, and the truth is, if leaders aren’t growing personally, they risk being left…

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A glowing constellation in a night sky above a quiet forest path, symbolizing the difference between coincidence and synchronicity as patterns that reveal hidden meaning.

Coincidence or Synchronicity? Here’s the Twist.

By Sylvia Lafair | August 19, 2025 |

Summary: A coincidence is like bumping into an old friend at the grocery store when you’re both reaching for the same bag of organic spinach. Random, curious, and a little funny. Synchronicity, though, that’s a whole different ball game. It’s when life’s things come together like a cosmic stage manager with perfect timing. Read on.…

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A photo of a woman's hand holding a vintage key labeled "The Change Paradox" as it unlocks a modern hotel door, symbolizing the paradox of change

The Change Paradox: Why We Crave the New and Cling To the Known

By Sylvia Lafair | August 13, 2025 | Comments Off on The Change Paradox: Why We Crave the New and Cling To the Known

Summary: Here’s the uncomfortable truth: we’re biologically wired to chase change and biologically wired to slam the brakes. It’s not personal. It’s human. And it’s why a new idea can feel good at 9 am and like a nasty rash by 4 pm. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Our company is changing our reporting structure. That means…

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Wooden table under desk lamp with puzzle pieces labeled Talent Crisis, AI, Economy, Burnout, Polarization, Old Patterns, partly assembled to represent top leadership concerns.

What’s Keeping Leaders Up at Night? (Hint: It’s Not Just the Quarterly Numbers)

By Sylvia Lafair | August 12, 2025 | Comments Off on What’s Keeping Leaders Up at Night? (Hint: It’s Not Just the Quarterly Numbers)

Summary: Around the world, leaders are tossing and turning, not because of poor mattresses, but because the weight of leadership in 2025 is heavier than ever. Here are the top issues robbing today’s leaders of sleep, and what to do about them. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am the executive assistant to a highly creative and…

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A butterfly resting on a windowsill in a modern sunlit office, symbolizing transformation and living your best life.

Are You Living Your Best Life? It’s Not a Hashtag, It’s a Choice

By Sylvia Lafair | August 7, 2025 | Comments Off on Are You Living Your Best Life? It’s Not a Hashtag, It’s a Choice

Summary: The phrase “living your best life” has been hijacked by surface-level nonsense. Let’s reclaim it. Living your best life means confronting the behavior patterns that still influence you. It means saying no to outdated roles (such as rescuer, martyr, or avoider) and saying yes to leading with purpose and clarity. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Today…

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Resignation cake with hastily written 'Good luck' message sits untouched in office break room while employees remain distant, symbolizing poor employee termination communication.

What Happens When an Employee Is Fired Without Clear Communication

By Sylvia Lafair | August 4, 2025 | Comments Off on What Happens When an Employee Is Fired Without Clear Communication

Summary: When a team member is suddenly fired without clear communication, it doesn’t just impact that individual. It shakes the entire team’s foundation. Here are the emotional and psychological ripple effects, along with practical ways to restore clarity, confidence, and trust. Dear Dr. Sylvia, One of the nicest and most connected members of our Senior…

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Footsteps winding through shifting desert sand at sunrise, symbolizing leadership communication skills through direction, clarity, and forward motion.

Stop Overthinking and Start Talking: Why “Letting Them Be” Isn’t Leadership

By Sylvia Lafair | July 31, 2025 | Comments Off on Stop Overthinking and Start Talking: Why “Letting Them Be” Isn’t Leadership

Summary: You’ve heard the advice before:  “Just let them be. ”You can’t change people. “Ignore them and move on.”Sure, there’s a time for inner work. There’s also a time to get off the meditation cushion and actually speak up. Let’s get real: thinking about how you feel isn’t the same as doing something about it.…

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Illustration of King Midas turning his daughter into gold, symbolizing the tragedy of valuing net worth over human worth.

Beyond the Bank: Why It’s Time to Redefine Net Worth as Human Worth

By Sylvia Lafair | July 29, 2025 | Comments Off on Beyond the Bank: Why It’s Time to Redefine Net Worth as Human Worth

Summary: The term “net worth” was invented by economists to assess financial value. Fine. Let them keep it in their spreadsheets. But somewhere along the way, society hijacked the term and started using it as a proxy for who matters and who doesn’t. Here is another way to think about “net worth.” Dear Dr. Sylvia,…

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