Posts by Sylvia Lafair
The #1 Thing all Great Communicators Have Mastered
Silence can speak louder than yelling. If you really want to be heard, if you want to enhance your leadership skills to the next level, learn the power of the pause. The pause was underlined for me yesterday morning when I was writing one of my Inc. articles. I was listening to some classical music. It was playing…
Read More5 Highly Recommended Books for Leaders
Can you guess one of the almost forgotten secrets of powerful leaders? It’s found on the printed page or today’s smartphones. It’s an old skill, almost forgotten in our present, hurried world. No longer is it enough to have a good idea or product. It’s about respecting leaders who are well-rounded individuals — think Reid…
Read MoreLeadership Strategies: How to know when you’re stuck
In this post, I’m discussing how to know when you’re stuck or moving ahead as a leader. Ready for a profound shift? Ready for change that will be deep, sustainable, and positive? Ready to put the puzzle pieces of relationships together and be an exemplary leader? Ready to go to sleep at night and not…
Read MoreLeadership Strategies: Telling the truth isn’t spilling your guts
How hard do you think it is to be a transformational leader? My answer is it takes commitment and dedication to new ways of thinking and doing. The type of leadership that is transformative is disciplined, proactive, and positive without being syrupy. What I say next is necessary for you to tattoo into your brain…
Read MoreLeadership Strategies: Damn it, Listen to Me!
Over the years, I’ve heard from leaders is that getting them to listen to me is one of the hardest obstacles to success. In this article, I address 4 levels of communication that will help you overcome this block. Do you remember playing the game “Whispering Down the Lane” as a kid? Kinda old school,…
Read MoreWhy can’t we all just get along?
Did you ever wonder why it’s so hard to just get along? Why there’s so much tension and dissension in the world? Why has behavior hit new lows with badmouthing all the way from top leadership in our country to the workplace? It’s everywhere and in all areas of our lives. Just recently sweet, chubby,…
Read MoreHow to know if he or she is a denier
I recently received a curious email asking for help. Most of the time I get questions about work and leadership issues. This one is a bit different however it does fit into the patterns I’ve been discussing on the blog here. Dear Dr. Sylvia, You know that last week was Valentine’s Day. Well, you know,…
Read MoreTransforming the martyr to the integrator
Imagine what it’s like to work from dawn till, no not dusk, till the middle of the night. Imagine if you do this while you have a background program in your head saying “Worry, the catastrophe is about to happen.” Even when there’s no big deal issue there are those whose first love is to…
Read MoreWhy being a clown just doesn’t work
Summary: When situations at work are tense, there is a need for some laughter. Timing is a core issue. Here are ways clowns at work (annoying) become humorists (clever). Dear Dr. Sylvia, When numbers are down, I need help getting my team out of a fear-based mentality. Most importantly, This is a tense time. Above…
Read MoreHow to become an elegant truth teller instead of a people pleaser
Summary: Do you worry that too many of your employees are people pleasers? They do whatever you say and never speak up or challenge you? Here are some ideas for you. When you or others fear speaking up it causes stagnation. That’s when creativity is nowhere to be found. For instance, you want your team…
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