Business & Life Patterns

a man moving toward his goal

5 Ways to Handle Stress at Work and Become Resilient

By Sylvia Lafair | August 2, 2022 | Comments Off on 5 Ways to Handle Stress at Work and Become Resilient

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…

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a flyer with group of diverse people smiling and posing

Leadership Lessons: When Hidden Emotions Show Up

By Sylvia Lafair | July 26, 2022 | Comments Off on Leadership Lessons: When Hidden Emotions Show Up

Summary: The emotions underneath leadership decisions are often ignored. Learning to read your specific personal concerns and upsets can lead to more effective leadership moving forward.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I cannot watch the news anymore without a knot in my stomach. When I see the fires roar around the world and the guns destroy lives,…

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words have power quote

How to Use Your Favorite 4-Letter Word and Make a Positive Difference 

By Sylvia Lafair | July 19, 2022 | Comments Off on How to Use Your Favorite 4-Letter Word and Make a Positive Difference 

Summary: The world has changed, and more freedom of speech exists. However, freedom has a downside. The big question is how to use that freedom productively rather than hurt and hinder relationships.   Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Am I alone in using strong words to help calm me down when I am upset?  I think not.  However,…

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I must not tell lies written over and over again in a notebook

We All Tell Lies, Which Type of Liar Are You? 

By Sylvia Lafair | July 6, 2022 | Comments Off on We All Tell Lies, Which Type of Liar Are You? 

Summary: We have all heard “the truth shall set you free,”; yet, lying is a daily occurrence. Read on to see which pattern, from fibs to fraud, fits your personality and, more importantly, what to do about it.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I don’t know who to believe anymore. When I ask my direct reports about…

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a man putting jigsaw puzzle pieces together to form the word success

Here’s What Success at Work Looks Like During Difficult Times

By Sylvia Lafair | June 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Here’s What Success at Work Looks Like During Difficult Times

Summary: How do you stay true to your core values when everything is out of focus? Dear Dr. Sylvia, How do you ever know when enough is enough? I mean, enough in every sense of the word. For example, when is there enough money in the bank? Or when there is enough food in the…

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gun violence a public health issue placard

Peace Tools NOT Pistols (or any other weapons of destruction)

By Sylvia Lafair | May 30, 2022 | Comments Off on Peace Tools NOT Pistols (or any other weapons of destruction)

Summary: It is critical to look “upriver” to solve the polarization and violence we are now seeing at work, at home, and in our communities.  Dear …  I am getting so many questions from leaders and emerging leaders about the polarization of our society and the number of attacks on innocent people that I want…

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two pairs doing tug of war on top of two big rocks

How Leaders Can Move Past “Survival of the Fittest” to “Survive and Be Fit” 

By Sylvia Lafair | May 24, 2022 | Comments Off on How Leaders Can Move Past “Survival of the Fittest” to “Survive and Be Fit” 

Summary: External forces keep us on our toes, ready to react. Here we discuss the hidden reasons for why we respond as we do.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I’ll cut right to the chase. Time is going by, and I am frustrated and worried.  I am a 47-year-old healthy male who is the CFO of a…

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a woman holding angry and happy face masks

Here’s How To Identify and Cope With Stress Now and Forever!

By Sylvia Lafair | May 17, 2022 | Comments Off on Here’s How To Identify and Cope With Stress Now and Forever!

Summary: Are you looking for stress relief? Is your stress higher at work or at home? Here is how to cope with stress and help those around you benefit.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Even though I don’t know Will Smith, I keep getting a whack on the side of my head! At least, it’s only figuratively. …

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a photo depicting the levels of leadership

Leadership Education and Transformation: Is Change Worth the Effort Or Not?

By Sylvia Lafair | May 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Leadership Education and Transformation: Is Change Worth the Effort Or Not?

Summary: Transformation is in vogue right now. Here are ideas to help you decide what to decide. Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am a Senior Vice President of a very successful retail furniture company. However, I have lost my mojo. I want to quit and…

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an adult man dressed as a baby in a crib

Your BOSS Is NOT Your MOTHER

By Sylvia Lafair | May 3, 2022 | Comments Off on Your BOSS Is NOT Your MOTHER

Summary: Do you know that many bosses can be seen as work- mothers? It’s universal and essential to realize this is a complex role that gets in the way of long-term success. Here are some ideas to ponder. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have a mother; of course, we all do! I am also a mother…

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