Blogs
Reflections on Uncertainty and Courage
Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’m not sure how to say this politely. This year has been a frigging mess. Not just for me, for so many I know. I’ve been lucky that no one in my immediate circle has come down with the virus. Yet, we all know someone who has a friend or colleague who has been…
Why is My Boss Acting Like a Baby?
Dear Dr. Sylvia, You remember the song from “My Fair Lady” that has the following words “Why can’t a woman be more like a man” and on and on it goes about male superiority. It really seems a bit old-fashioned these days when women are gaining strength at work, at home, everywhere. However, I think…
Ugh… I am GRINDING my teeth.
Dear Dr. Sylvia, Here’s a crazy one. I was walking with a plate of cookies (anything to diminish the stress of this chaotic time) and I tripped. I must admit, I would have eaten the whole plate of cookies while watching the election results, or rather the inconclusive election results. In any case, tripping is…
Common Destructive Behavior Patterns That Can Drive You NUTS, at Work, at Home, Everywhere (and what to do about them)
Dear Dr. Sylvia. I hate to complain, but my boss is driving me totally crazy. He is smart and knows the science behind what we do, however, as a leader he is just plain awful. For example, He is always telling us how great he is, how many awards he has won, about how much…
A Bandaid on a Broken Arm
Dear Dr. Sylvia, Well, it finally happened! And it has been awful, horrible, and over the top frustrating. My whole leadership team requested a Zoom conference call and said they were ready to walk out, quit, leave, go away, and never come back. I felt like I had been hit by a huge truck or…
Elections, Families and Victor Frankenstein
Watching all the back and forth, division and blaming, fear, and concern about this election got me thinking. Not long ago, on Twitter, someone posted “Whoever goes to the White House will bring along many others with their personal baggage.” There was no claim as to who would win the election or who they would bring with them. Just a less than 280-character bit…
3 Mental Strength Training Exercises to Help You Leap From Overwhelm to Energized
Dear Dr. Sylvia, Every time I think of getting ready for the holidays, you know, the Thanksgiving/Christmas Push I start to feel a mixture of happy and frustrated. Top that off with looming lousy fourth-quarter earnings (definitely frustrated) and I just want to find a friendly rock to climb under till, well, maybe till next…
Leadership Strategies: When is it better to make waves and say NO?
Recently I’ve been asked “When is it better to ‘make waves,’ and say ‘NO’ rather than just go along with what is being said? My response: The art of communication involves both active listening as well as the ability, to tell the truth appropriately. Here is some important learning about the impact of the simple…
Speaking Truth to Power
Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have built a great career over the past 15 years. I was considered a high potential emerging leader and now I am seen as a full-blooded really great leader. However, the changes during this pandemic have me in a quandary. Here’s the issue: in my organization, there are those who follow…
I’m Not Pattern Blind
Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’ve heard you talk about “Pattern Blindness” in the same sentence as “Speaking the Unspeakable.” Can you say more, please? Here is my issue. I am beyond frustrated and stressed with my boss who is always saying the same things over and over. He loves to talk about himself and brag about…
I Can’t Take Anymore Surprises…
Dear Dr. Sylvia,Each day I think to myself “I can’t take any more surprises. I can’t take any more whining. I can’t take anymore bungled messes.” And then something else happens. I went into a deep depression after the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing hit the world.Look, I didn’t know her, and my daily…
Romancing the Bullies
Dear Dr. Sylvia, Help me understand. My boss is driving me crazy I want to help and be a great colleague, however, what he is doing makes no sense. He ignores those who want to help him, to be a resource, and make our company great again. However, he ignores them, and instead he ‘romances’…
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