Communication

The Colors of Gender Thanks to Modern Marketing and Ancient Ancestors

By Sylvia Lafair | March 7, 2017 |

From the day you were born, even before conception, there are beliefs and stereotypes that are attached to gender. Let’s consider the color continuum for gender. Pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Right? Where did this begin? Who decided which colors belong to which gender? Here is a brief trip through history.…

Spotting The Big Difference Between Charming and Sincere

By Sylvia Lafair | October 2, 2016 |

We live in a time of sizzle and dazzle, quips and giggles. It’s not a time to do deep dives into any subject. How do I know? I’ve fool-hardheartedly been following the Presidential election soaps on television and twitter. I’ve been wondering why and when we turned from substance to slander and superficiality. I want…

How Todays Trinity of Extremes Affects Us All

By Sylvia Lafair | September 26, 2016 |

Yes, we live in a fast paced world. Yes, we are often at tipping points of stress. Yes, we can do better. “We are all in it together and no one wins unless we all do.†This mantra sounds good, however, for most of us it sounds naïve. Sometimes the world seems to be spinning…

Magic Moments Best When Unexpected

By Sylvia Lafair | August 30, 2016 |

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…

The Downside Of Growing Your Organizational Culture

By Sylvia Lafair | May 12, 2016 |

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…

Leadership Lessons How To Raise Healthy Kids To Be Excellent Leaders

By Sylvia Lafair | January 22, 2016 |

We know all the basics: lots of fresh air, sleep, fruits and vegetables, friendships, and loving parents. There is one extra area that works like a charm. It is kids teaching kids. You see, too much adult supervision and youngsters stop listening. All they hear is blah, blah, blah. And more than that, there is…

Happy Holidays, Happy YOU

By Sylvia Lafair | December 21, 2015 |

I just came home from shopping for the last minute gifts for my family. Was it fun? Well, some of it was and some of it was rather annoying. I took time to observe my reactions to the good moments and the sour ones. Then I found some research that aligned with my feelings and…

Honoring Our Veterans: Each In Our Own Way

By Sylvia Lafair | November 10, 2015 |

I sat in silence listening to the stories of battered trucks driving down dirt roads and blowing up just a hairs breath from soldiers on duty. I heard about the pain, angst and often guilt that is part of physically fighting someone into submission or fear being killed. The vets all said, in their own…

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

By Sylvia Lafair | September 23, 2015 |

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…

Stuck Plumbing?

By Sylvia Lafair | August 18, 2015 |

Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am a newly named director in a major tech company. We have been around for many years and have so many systems in place. However, what cannot be programmed (wish it could be!) are the human beings who surround me. Here is my dilemma: my boss is a mixture of a…