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Creative Energy Options

Magic Moments Best When Unexpected

By Sylvia Lafair | August 30, 2016 | Comments Off on Magic Moments Best When Unexpected

Got on the bus. Waited. Got on another bus. Waited even longer. Had a bad feeling this paid in advance tour was going to disappoint. And it did. Almost. Tours to that revered site in Rome, the Vatican are expensive and seemingly necessary. Otherwise the lines can be hours long. The Vatican is a must…

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Creative Energy Options

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

By Sylvia Lafair | August 3, 2016 | Comments Off on Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

I hear this plaintive cry from executives and middle managers all the time. I hear it from superintendents to elementary school teachers for at least ten months out of the year. Getting along is what we all want. Right? So, why does it seem almost impossible to get through even a few days without feeling…

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Creative Energy Options

What Courage Looks Like

By Sylvia Lafair | June 20, 2016 | Comments Off on What Courage Looks Like

Twice a year we do a program for leaders and emerging leaders. It is a four session program spread over five months. Each time I include clips of leaders who have and continue to make a difference in our world. There are a few staples, like Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln. We choose from a…

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Creative Energy Options

The Downside Of Growing Your Organizational Culture

By Sylvia Lafair | May 12, 2016 | Comments Off on The Downside Of Growing Your Organizational Culture

I was sitting having a quick dinner in Manhattan with some colleagues. The place was packed and the noise level high. Just a typical 6:30 p.m. time of workplace decompressing, after one of those typical rush and get it done days. At the table to the left we heard “No one should be forced to…

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Creative Energy Options

Powerful And GUTSY

By Sylvia Lafair | January 26, 2016 | Comments Off on Powerful And GUTSY

I have a birth to announce. Beautiful babies come in various packages. Some in the warm skin of an infant son or daughter. Others as works of art, music, photography, dance, the written word. Joan Scharff just gave birth to a wonderful book of poems and pictures. I met her several years ago when she…

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Creative Energy Options

How To Get Heard After You’ve Been Whacked Upside The Head

By Sylvia Lafair | September 23, 2015 | Comments Off on How To Get Heard After You’ve Been Whacked Upside The Head

Dear Dr. Sylvia, I know you think that we can all transform our negative patterns. I have my doubts. You see, I read your book…twice! And I still have a serious problem. I took the Pattern Aware Quiz and know I am considered a persecutor/bully. I have worked hard to change my style from being…

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A woman with her finger on her lips as if shushing someone

Leadership Development: SHUSSSSH Don’t Rock The Boat

By Sylvia Lafair | December 15, 2014 | Comments Off on Leadership Development: SHUSSSSH Don’t Rock The Boat

Imagine a world where bringing up unpleasant or conflictual subjects is applauded. Imagine if in school good grades were based on asking the unaskable. Just imagine. Where would YOU fit in that kind of setting? Would you be one to ask “Hey, why is the emperor naked?†Or would you be one to put your…

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Creative Energy Options

Holiday Stress Starts Early This Year. Here’s Why And What To Do About It.

By Sylvia Lafair | December 8, 2014 | Comments Off on Holiday Stress Starts Early This Year. Here’s Why And What To Do About It.

Summary: Did you ever wonder why the end of the year holidays causes so much stress? It is essential because of last year’s restrictions on staying at home. Here is “the why” for many and also ways to handle holiday stress more effectively. Dear Dr. Sylvia, How do I get year-end work done, prepare for…

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Image of employees in office

4 Rules For Great Leading During The Holiday Season

By Sylvia Lafair | November 23, 2014 | Comments Off on 4 Rules For Great Leading During The Holiday Season

Imagine yourself as the most loved leader in your organization. Imagine being honored at a dinner for your skills and talents. What would they say about you? How would you respond? Leading a team and getting your direct reports to really, really want to get follow you takes lots of deep internal understanding of yourself.…

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Creative Energy Options . Kid in poverty

They Are ALL Our Children

By Sylvia Lafair | November 23, 2014 | Comments Off on They Are ALL Our Children

Years ago I was in Brazil for a conference. It was wonderful looking up at the “Christo Redentor†that is so much a part of Rio. It was fun sun bathing and walking along the famous Ipanema beach. I also had an opportunity to go inland to some of the mines where the crystals are…

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