Sylvia Lafair
Summary: What is missing in preparing today’s students for life challenges? They want “people skills,” and it would benefit us to teach them skills to be better adults. Dear Dr. Sylvia, As a large urban high school principal, I appreciate your time with my leadership team. Furthermore, I did what you suggested. I surveyed the…
Summary: Family patterns can impact individual development. This includes the ability to become influential adult leaders. Leaders who become more aware of the impact of the past on the present are the ones who will win long-term. Dear Dr. Sylvia, As head of HR at a very competitive organization, one of my main areas of…
Summary: Is the world spinning out of control? It feels that way with the speed of negative issues that seem to impact everyone, everywhere, all at once. Here are some ways to help students cope with the complexities of modern life. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am a high school English teacher. My kids are hurting…
Summary: The internet and social media have changed us. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes not. Here is an interview with Tom Lane, author of “The Karma Factor,” that will give you new ways of thinking about the consequences of behavior. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I messed up! Big time! And then I had to apologize.…
Summary: Gun violence in America has become a vicious cycle perpetuating from generation to generation. It’s time to go “upriver” to solve this crisis. Educators and health professionals are the first lines of defense. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Yet again! Another shooting at a school. More dead, children and adults. What are we missing? The issue…
Summary: Today, I tell a true story about one man’s quest to find his most profound truth and what it means to be vulnerable at work. Equally important is what this meant to his team. Here is how it started. HR called The SVP of marketing of a flourishing organization for a meeting. There were…
Summary: Change is stressful. Yet, knowing how to manage it is foundational for leadership growth and development. All leaders, in health care, education, and entrepreneurs must help the rest of the organization make friends with change. As we say — give change a chance. Do you worry when change is right in front of you?…
Summary: Â Change is happening at an escalated pace. The stress of constant change makes it the #1 health concern worldwide. Here’s what you need to know to keep from falling down the rabbit hole of anxiety and depression. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I read that the primary sources of social change include population growth, climate change,…
Summary: How much time do you spend angry and upset with your colleagues, friends, or family? It’s time to learn the skills of being conflict competent. That means you have the right communication system to speak and be heard. More than that, you lead others to solutions that benefit all. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Everyone seems…
Summary: Every time a client sits in your chair and faces the mirror with you standing behind, a choice occurs. Chat, joke, get personal, or “let it be.” How do you know what the best idea is? First, think about what you, the stylist, prefer when it’s your turn to sit in the chair rather…