Confidence
SUMMARY: Dolly Parton reminds us that the most successful leaders refuse to let other people’s labels define their future. One of my favorite quotes from her is, “I’m not offended by all the dumb blond jokes, because I know I’m not dumb and I also know I’m not blonde.” She nailed it for all the…
Summary: Most leadership programs teach skills, like how to communicate better, manage conflict, and improve engagement. All are worthwhile goals, but after more than 35 years working with leaders and organizations, I’ve learned something important—skills alone do not transform culture. Read on to see what matters even more. Dear Dr. Sylvia, My team is efficient…
Summary: At this year’s Tony Awards, something remarkable happened. At age 80, John Lithgow won another Tony Award, becoming one of the most celebrated performers of his generation. While the headlines focused on the award itself, I found myself thinking about something else. Longevity. Not simply staying in the game, but growing in the game.…
Summary: Leadership is often misunderstood. Many people assume that if a leader is nice, as in pleasant, agreeable, generous, and always trying to keep the peace, they are automatically effective. Not always. In fact, some of the most quietly frustrating workplaces are led by nice leaders. Let’s take a closer look at how this behavior…
Summary: When a mentor who made a difference transitions, it prompts reflection on the core of how life has changed. The words from the song “Wicked” have been quietly ringing in my ears. For Jean Houston, “knowing you has changed me for the better.” Change Happens in Unexpected Ways “Something is wrong here.” That was…
Summary: There are moments in life when everything feels uncertain. Your company restructures. Perhaps your marriage cracks or your child pulls away. War begins, or the market collapses. You may get a difficult health diagnosis. A fire burns through your town. An election divides a family. AI changes how people work overnight. And suddenly, what…
Summary: Many years ago, I attended a conference focused on one enormous question: What do we need to do to make the planet healthier and more humane? The room itself felt electric. Among the dignitaries were John Denver, Ram Dass, and Ted Turner. To say Ted Turner commanded attention would be an understatement. He was…
Summary: Stress has quietly become one of the defining experiences of modern life. Most people are under far more pressure than they admit, and many wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. But when stress goes unaddressed, it doesn’t simply disappear into the background. And perhaps most concerning of all, many people become so accustomed…
Summary: Most people look at Anna Wintour and see the sunglasses, the precision, the intimidating reputation, and the legendary standards. I see something else: a leader who understands the power of GLIMMERS. While others focus on fashion, status, and spectacle, I see a deeper lesson about clarity, courage, and the quiet signals that shape extraordinary…
Summary: Everywhere we turn, there’s noise, uncertainty, division, and pressure to perform. A constant low hum of anxiety that never quite shuts off. Leaders feel it. Teams feel it. Organizations live inside it. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: most leadership tools today are designed to help people cope with chaos, not transform it. Let’s go…
