Conflict Resolutions

How to Banish the GOTCHA GAME at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | February 22, 2023 |

Summary: Love it or hate it; it won’t go away. Not those extra 10 pounds! I’m talking about conflict. Those annoying times when you are at odds with someone when you are pissed off with a client, supplier, staff, or even your best friend. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Is it me? Or is the world becoming…

Here’s How Educators Can Stop Excessive Conflict in Schools

By Sylvia Lafair | February 20, 2023 |

Summary: In every work setting, especially in schools, there is a time when individuals throw up their hands and ask, “Why can’t we all just get along!” Here are tools and techniques that answer this question and create a more efficient, collaborative culture for educators. Dear Dr. Sylvia. Why does conflict run rampant in today’s…

The Future of Work Means Choosing Dialogue Over Debate. Here’s What To Consider.

By Sylvia Lafair | December 14, 2022 |

Summary: We are in new territory in the world of work. It’s time to take advantage of the opportunities gained by collaborating rather than condemning.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I am having a retreat with my senior staff to discuss the future of work.  I know you believe in leadership programs for everyone.  I’m not sure…

Ouch: Taking the Sting from Conflict at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | October 20, 2022 |

Summary: Workplace conflict is a BIG problem that won’t go away. Most executives and entrepreneurs I coach first worry about $$$$ issues and then quickly think about their employees. Here are thoughts about what may keep you up at night and what to do differently. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I find that whether my company finally…

Is It Possible to Transform Workplace Conflict, Or Should You Learn to Live With It?

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2022 |

Summary: Leadership programs for everyone have conflict resolution at the top of the list. Here are ways to consider the tensions at work and what leads to creative collaboration. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Firstly, I want you to know I am the senior VP of HR, and I need all the advice I can get to…

Tom Brady, Microsoft Tablets, and Work/Home Relationships 

By Sylvia Lafair | September 27, 2022 |

Summary: Few things seem more different than the worlds of work and home. However, it is a myth that we can separate them. Stress in one area often tumbles into the other. Here are some tips for creating a better balance.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Yesterday I did what I now call “A Tom Brady move.† …

How to Manage Anger at Work, Home, Everywhere 

By Sylvia Lafair | August 30, 2022 |

Summary: What do you do when anger boils over into your relationships? Do you walk away from angry confrontations with ease and grace? Perhaps you are left with hurt feelings, emotional scars, or physical ills. Here are ways to control anger before it becomes a tsunami.   Dear Dr. Sylvia,  These days fill with tension and…

The Benefits of A Difficult Conversation

By Sylvia Lafair | June 29, 2022 |

Summary: If being judged makes you uncomfortable, here are some ways to structure a feedback session for success. Who do you think has the most challenging time with feedback? Is it the giver or the receiver? Most leadership development programs focus on how the giver, the leader, discusses feedback with the receiver, the employee. The…

Leadership Skills to Stop the Maddening Communication from Mixed Messages

By Sylvia Lafair | April 26, 2022 |

Summary: When stress gets high, mixed messages go even higher. Here are some ways to stay in the “safe stress zone” when you get inconsistent and unclear messages. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am an intelligent vice president at a very sophisticated marketing company. I guess I shouldn’t brag. However, it’s the truth. Most importantly, I…

Needed Now: YOU As A Positive Force In The Workplace

By Sylvia Lafair | April 19, 2022 |

Summary: What does it take to be a positive force in the workplace? Stress and conflict are at an all-time high. I’ve been getting so many calls about conflict at work and even in communities. Here’s how to be a positive contributor at work. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Are we becoming a more argumentative society, or…