Confidence

When Yelling Erupts at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | May 1, 2025 | Comments Off on When Yelling Erupts at Work

How to Handle Conflict Without Losing Your Cool If you’ve ever been the recipient of someone’s work meltdown, especially when the volume turns to eleven, it is disorienting. You freeze, fume, or fantasize about quitting on the spot. But here’s the truth: conflict is inevitable. How you handle it is optional. Let’s look at handling…

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Man hiding from fear of losing job

Fear of Losing Your Job: How to Turn Panic into Power

By Sylvia Lafair | April 29, 2025 | Comments Off on Fear of Losing Your Job: How to Turn Panic into Power

Summary: Fear of losing your job can bury or build you. Which one are you choosing? Our economy is like the biggest roller coaster in an amusement park. However, while fear of losing your job can cause screams, it’s not fun. Nobody gets a lifetime guarantee stamped on their paycheck. Fear is natural—it’s what you…

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When Conflict Hits: Align Your Head, Heart, and Gut

By Sylvia Lafair | April 22, 2025 | Comments Off on When Conflict Hits: Align Your Head, Heart, and Gut

In times of chaos and conflict, most people either freeze, fume, or flee. But smart leaders? They align. Align what, you ask? Not your calendar. Not your chakras (though hey, that might help too). We’re talking about Triple Alignment™: Head, Heart, Gut. It’s a new way of thinking about conflict resolution for leaders. Dear Dr.…

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Bite Your Lip Communication: A Leader’s Secret Weapon for Long-Term Influence

By Sylvia Lafair | April 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Bite Your Lip Communication: A Leader’s Secret Weapon for Long-Term Influence

Summary: Often, less is more when it comes to being a successful leader. Here is why it may be best to hold your tongue, bite your lip, and wait for a better time to respond. Leadership communication is both an art and a skill if done correctly. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have often heard you…

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Sibling Repair as a Leadership Lesson

By Sylvia Lafair | April 1, 2025 | Comments Off on Sibling Repair as a Leadership Lesson

Summary: Adult sibling relationships often drift apart, influenced by various life circumstances, unresolved childhood conflicts, or differing personal values. However, repairing communication and reconnect can yield profound personal and emotional benefits. Here’s why re-establishing a positive relationship with adult siblings matters, even when a minimal or no relationship currently exists. Dear Dr. Sylvia, As a…

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Two faces going from bitter to better

From Bitter to Better: How to Transform Workplace Drama into Growth

By Sylvia Lafair | March 3, 2025 | Comments Off on From Bitter to Better: How to Transform Workplace Drama into Growth

Summary: This is a tale of workplace conflict and redemption that shows you ways to make real change happen. Enjoy it and use it in your own work life. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am so tired of fighting with my colleagues at work. My pattern is “the clown.” I make funny jokes (at least, I…

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Breaking the cycle of emotional patterns

Breaking the Cycle: How Patterns Shape Workplace Tension

By Sylvia Lafair | February 26, 2025 | Comments Off on Breaking the Cycle: How Patterns Shape Workplace Tension

Lisa’s response to Greg wasn’t just a moment of emotional intelligence—it was a shift in a long-standing workplace pattern. If she had reacted with defensiveness, their conflict would have deepened, reinforcing a cycle of hostility. Instead, by stepping back and choosing curiosity over combat, she disrupted the dynamic. This is what pattern awareness is all…

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A man above.a cheering crowd of acccountability

Accountability vs. Empty Cheerleading

By Sylvia Lafair | February 6, 2025 | Comments Off on Accountability vs. Empty Cheerleading

Why Words Without Action Fall Flat Summary: Social media is flooded with motivational quotes, teammates cheer each other on, and friends offer endless support. But when it comes to real progress, there’s a stark difference between being a cheerleader and having a sense of accountability. Dear Dr. Sylvia, My CEO recently hired a new Chief…

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How to Stop Stress: Step From Self-doubt to Self -aware and finally to Self-confident

By Sylvia Lafair | January 20, 2025 | Comments Off on How to Stop Stress: Step From Self-doubt to Self -aware and finally to Self-confident

Summary: Stress is a multifaceted and annoying creature. One of the deepest holes to dig out of is self-doubt. Yes, it takes a willingness to look inside yourself for the why and the where that feeling of not being good enough began. Here are some thoughts on taming your own stress monster. Dear Dr. Sylvia…

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Bullseye on 2025 representing a hitting New Year Resolutions

How to Be Your Best Self in 2025: Don’t Waste Your New Year Resolutions

By Sylvia Lafair | December 30, 2024 | Comments Off on How to Be Your Best Self in 2025: Don’t Waste Your New Year Resolutions

Summary: Ah, the New Year. The time when we all gather ‘round and try to figure out how we will turn into superheroes overnight. You know, with those resolutions that promise to transform us into versions of ourselves that could probably bench-press a car and perform ballet in our sleep. But here’s a thought: what…

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