Business & Life Patterns

Stress Management and Leadership Programs Should Begin in School, Here’s Why.

By Sylvia Lafair | November 2, 2022 |

Summary: Instead of respecting differences, we create more division. Here are thoughts on how to create “a perfect union”. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I was at a college football game recently and was hopping mad at the behavior of privileged young adults shouting slurs at the opposing team. It seems like the lack of civility is…

What Do Hair Stylists, Dentists, and Therapists Have in Common?

By Sylvia Lafair | October 18, 2022 |

Summary: Where does “help others feel good about themselves” fit into your career? Here’s what science says matters most in stress management programs. Here’s the story that was told to me: Meet exhausted Johnathan. The virus was turbulent, and Jonathan and Suzie, his wife, were at their wit’s end. Their six-month-old son was up-all-night crying.…

Is It Possible to Transform Workplace Conflict, Or Should You Learn to Live With It?

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2022 |

Summary: Leadership programs for everyone have conflict resolution at the top of the list. Here are ways to consider the tensions at work and what leads to creative collaboration. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Firstly, I want you to know I am the senior VP of HR, and I need all the advice I can get to…

Leadership Programs for Everyone: “Write It To Right It” For Productivity and Success 

By Sylvia Lafair | October 3, 2022 |

Summary: You can alter your narrative about any situation to enact positive lasting change. You do this when you shift the blame, judgment, and negativity that get in the way of success. Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I am not a believer in magic.   Let me explain. Sometimes I think you make suggestions that are impossible to…

Tom Brady, Microsoft Tablets, and Work/Home Relationships 

By Sylvia Lafair | September 27, 2022 |

Summary: Few things seem more different than the worlds of work and home. However, it is a myth that we can separate them. Stress in one area often tumbles into the other. Here are some tips for creating a better balance.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Yesterday I did what I now call “A Tom Brady move.† …

Why Our Leadership Coaching Services Start from the Inside OUT

By Sylvia Lafair | September 19, 2022 |

Summary: How would the world of work change if we learned to look at our behavior patterns from a broader perspective? Here are suggestions from our leadership coaching services to think differently. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am frustrated. I have an employee who is always, and I mean always, disagreeing with me. We need to…

Tyler Perry, Leadership, and Generational Forgiveness 

By Sylvia Lafair | September 6, 2022 |

Summary: Role models come from many walks of life. What really matters is how those you respect handle difficult situations. That is a gold standard for all leadership coaching programs. Here is one leader who stands out. Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I know in your leadership coaching program you have a process called Sankofa Mapping. I…

How to Manage Anger at Work, Home, Everywhere 

By Sylvia Lafair | August 30, 2022 |

Summary: What do you do when anger boils over into your relationships? Do you walk away from angry confrontations with ease and grace? Perhaps you are left with hurt feelings, emotional scars, or physical ills. Here are ways to control anger before it becomes a tsunami.   Dear Dr. Sylvia,  These days fill with tension and…

4 Mistakes Leaders Make That Cause Stress to Boil Over 

By Sylvia Lafair | August 16, 2022 |

Summary: Too much stress is self-induced and comes from how we react to change. While the change won’t stop, how you respond can make a difference. While I know this is a fundamental concept, here are ways to look at your responses in a different light.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I’ll make this short and sweet.…

5 Ways to Handle Stress at Work and Become Resilient

By Sylvia Lafair | August 2, 2022 |

Summary: When tough times happen, it’s easy to pull the covers over your head and stuff down the upset or go to the other extreme and shout it out. A powerful way to drop the doldrums and be courageous is often finding courage from others. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Between the heat, the unrelenting virus, and…