Business & Life Patterns
Summary: Even in the most collaborative workplaces, it’s natural to go through periods when you feel disconnected from your team. Maybe everyone’s working remotely, or priorities have shifted, or you’re just not clicking the way you used to. Whatever the reason, disconnection doesn’t have to last forever. Here’s how to reconnect with your colleagues, your…
Summary: In my work studying patterns of behavior, I’ve learned that culture isn’t built in Executive Leadership meetings; it’s revealed by what happens after hours. Offsites don’t just show how we celebrate; they show what we avoid. Here are some thoughts to consider as we prepare for the holiday season. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…
Summary: Let’s face it: these days it feels like the world is split into “us” and “them” about… well, everything: politics, workplace policies, parenting styles. Polarization has become the default setting. And when being “right” matters more than being in a relationship, the cost is steep: broken teams, broken families, broken trust. The question is:…
Summary: Leaders today stand on a wild new bridge: one foot planted in timeless human capacities, such as empathy, courage, and intuition, and the other testing the unfamiliar terrain of artificial intelligence. The bridge is shaky. AI is moving at lightning speed, and the truth is, if leaders aren’t growing personally, they risk being left…
Summary: Around the world, leaders are tossing and turning, not because of poor mattresses, but because the weight of leadership in 2025 is heavier than ever. Here are the top issues robbing today’s leaders of sleep, and what to do about them. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am the executive assistant to a highly creative and…
Summary: They’re falling behind. You swoop in to help. You make sure they won’t drown. You’re praised for being “the one who always saves the day. ” After the tenth time of fixing someone else’s mess, a thought creeps in: ”Why am I working harder than the people I’m rescuing?” Welcome to the Rescuer Pattern,…
Summary: The internet did what it does best: took a grainy concert video and turned it into a full-blown social media bonfire. The latest “did-you-see-this?” involves a CEO and the head of HR caught on camera looking very cozy. Let’s consider “two consenting adults” versus “a total breach of workplace ethics.” Dear Dr. Sylvia, I…
Summary: Flags, fireworks, and food sum up the traditional way Independence Day is celebrated. Welcome to July 4th. But before we fall into another loop of red, white, and blue, let’s pause and ask the underlying question that the Founders discussed over and over as they planned a new way in the 13 colonies. Dear Dr.…
Summary: Let’s learn from the American Revolution. Rewind to 1776, a time before cable news. Back then, the colonies were a hotbed of unrest, rebellion, and yes… conspiracy theories. But instead of letting these theories spiral into chaos and infighting, the early revolutionaries did something brilliant: they used the momentum to unite the colonies under…
Summary: Trust is a leader’s currency; make sure you don’t go bankrupt. Here are seven ways to consider navigating the complexities of trust. Also, a bonus true story from my executive coaching practice. Dear Dr. Sylvia, In every team meeting, we need to examine how we want to work together. There is a mysterious word…