Business

the leadership trifecta

The Leadership Trifecta: Why Expectations, Accountability, and Follow-Up Make or Break Your Team

By Sylvia Lafair | December 2, 2025 |

Master the leadership trifecta of expectations, accountability, and follow-up to build trust, reduce drama, and elevate leadership impact.

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the next big shift in leadership

The Next Big Shift in Leadership Development: Stop Guessing and Start Leading with Confidence

By Sylvia Lafair | November 20, 2025 | Comments Off on The Next Big Shift in Leadership Development: Stop Guessing and Start Leading with Confidence

Summary: Let’s get one thing straight: you, as a leader, don’t need more theories. Or frameworks. Or another shiny workbook that sits gathering digital dust. You need integration. That elusive moment when the light bulb goes on, and it stays on long enough for behavior to actually change. You can do it as long as…

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the stoic leader

The Stoic Leader: Steady Rock or Stone Wall? The Pattern Truth Behind the Calm

By Sylvia Lafair | November 17, 2025 | Comments Off on The Stoic Leader: Steady Rock or Stone Wall? The Pattern Truth Behind the Calm

Summary: Stoic leaders are having a moment. Podcasts gush about calm. Every leadership guru raves about equanimity. And half the world is clutching Marcus Aurelius quotes. This is only one part of leadership. It is the glimmer of the mind. Read on to see what works and what doesn’t. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Until now, I…

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In a spacious loft, two work colleagues are fighting.

ALPHA MEETS ALPHA: How Strong Leaders Can Thrive Together Without Making People Choose Sides

By Sylvia Lafair | May 26, 2025 | Comments Off on ALPHA MEETS ALPHA: How Strong Leaders Can Thrive Together Without Making People Choose Sides

Summary: It takes practice for two strong-willed individuals to collaborate. Here’s how strong leaders can find common ground, so people dont have to choose one over the other. Dear Dr Sylvia, My colleague and I, both Senior VPs in a fast-moving tech company, are constantly butting heads. We are two strong leaders, and our teams…

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The Great Disconnect: Why Communication in the Workplace is Crumbling and What It Is Doing to Our Productivity

The Great Disconnect: Why Communication in the Workplace is Crumbling and What It Is Doing to Our Productivity

By Sylvia Lafair | May 22, 2025 | Comments Off on The Great Disconnect: Why Communication in the Workplace is Crumbling and What It Is Doing to Our Productivity

Why Communication in The Workplace is Crumbling and What It Is Doing to Our Productivity

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A man screaming with smoke emanating from his ears, illustrating a comical yet vivid depiction of overwhelming anger and frustration.

How to Break Free from Secondhand Stress: What It Is and Where It Comes From

By Sylvia Lafair | December 16, 2024 | Comments Off on How to Break Free from Secondhand Stress: What It Is and Where It Comes From

Dear Dr. Sylvia, Everyone has secondhand stress these days. It’s not that different than getting sick from someone smoking near you. I can be happy and positive, and then someone will enter the meeting with a frown and a bag full of negatives, and suddenly, my smile leaves, and I can feel that annoying knot…

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A group of people walking in front of glass walls.

Hire Slow and Fire Fast: The Key to Long-Term Success

By Sylvia Lafair | October 29, 2024 | Comments Off on Hire Slow and Fire Fast: The Key to Long-Term Success

Summary: “Hire Slow, Fire Fast.” is a strategy that may seem counterintuitive in today’s rapid, results-driven environment. Yet, it’s an approach that many successful companies swear by for sustained growth and long-term success. Let’s look at how it can lead to better team dynamics, stronger performance, and a healthier work culture. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I…

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A man in grey shirt and tie looking up at hands.

How JUBLA (Judgment, Blame, or Attack) Will Make You Angrier and Keep You Feeling Like a Victim, And What to Do About It

By Sylvia Lafair | October 9, 2024 | Comments Off on How JUBLA (Judgment, Blame, or Attack) Will Make You Angrier and Keep You Feeling Like a Victim, And What to Do About It

Summary: When things don’t go as planned, it’s all too easy to slip into patterns of judgment, blame, or attack (JUBLA). These behaviors, however, are toxic. Not only do they escalate conflict, but they also keep you locked in a cycle of anger, frustration, and victimhood. Learn to move from victim to explorer using pattern…

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A group of people holding light bulbs in their hands.

Emotional Power: When Leaders Dare to Care

By Sylvia Lafair | October 1, 2024 | Comments Off on Emotional Power: When Leaders Dare to Care

Summary: As many seasoned leaders begin to step down from their roles, their wealth of knowledge and expertise offers valuable lessons for future leaders. Here, we consider both outdated, ingrained patterns and ones to retain. Dear Dr. Sylvia, The CEO of my very successful organization has announced his retirement. It will be before the end…

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A group of people holding hands on top of a mountain.

A Collaborative Journey to Success: How Direct Reports Can Talk Truth to Power and Help Their Boss Be More Effective

By Sylvia Lafair | September 24, 2024 | Comments Off on A Collaborative Journey to Success: How Direct Reports Can Talk Truth to Power and Help Their Boss Be More Effective

Summary: In the workplace, a hierarchical dynamic often characterizes the relationship between direct reports and their leaders. These power differences can create challenges regarding open and honest communication. But speaking truth to power is essential for a transparent and collaborative work environment. This can significantly enhance a leader’s effectiveness. Direct reports hold valuable insights about…

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