Growth

multi colored hands holding to show trust

Rebuilding Trust in a Chaotic World: Why Leaders Must Lead With Courage, Not Control

By Sylvia Lafair | May 20, 2025 |

The Trust Crisis is Real—and it’s Costing You. Tension is everywhere. Everyone is careful and afraid to speak out. Trust isn’t just low in today’s chaotic world; it’s evaporating. And without it, even your best strategies fall flat. Here is what to think about moving forward. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I just resigned from a company…

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Masks in line to represent behavioral patterns

Same Problems, New Day? Break the Behavioral Patterns That Keep You Stuck

By Sylvia Lafair | May 15, 2025 |

You’ve tried everything: new systems, better meetings, even hiring new talent. And yet, here you are again: overwhelmed, constantly putting out fires, and asking yourself, Why does this keep happening? Welcome to the invisible force running your business: repeating behavioral patterns. They’re more than just frustrating—they’re costly. And until you learn to recognize and shift…

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3 generations of women smiling on Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day, Celebrate the GUTSY Women Who Lead, Including You!

By Sylvia Lafair | May 8, 2025 |

Pattern repetition can keep us stuck, but pattern transformation gives us strength. We grew up learning how to fit in and be appropriate. Now is the time to flip those ingrained, outdated patterns and soar. We change when we are brave enough to face the old patterns and say, “No more.” Dear Dr. Sylvia, Yes,…

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Modern leaders burning from being so out of touch

When Modern Leaders Are Out of Touch

By Sylvia Lafair | April 10, 2025 |

When Modern Leaders Are Out of Touch: Don’t Be the Nero of Your Workplace History and headlines repeatedly show us what happens when modern leaders lose touch with the very people they are supposed to serve. The result? Low morale, missed opportunities, and, at worst, organizational collapse. One of the most enduring metaphors for detached…

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Two men standing back to back.

Sibling Repair as a Leadership Lesson

By Sylvia Lafair | April 1, 2025 |

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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Hands holding a red heart together.

Parents as Leaders: Netflix’s “Adolescence” Reveals the Hidden Stress of Being a Leader at Home

By Sylvia Lafair | March 27, 2025 |

Summary: If you’ve watched Netflix’s Adolescence, you probably felt your heart twist a few times. I know mine did. The show brilliantly captures what it means to come of age in today’s turbulent world. There’s another layer quietly pulsing beneath the surface—the stress of being a leader as you parent your children. Dear Dr. Sylvia,…

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Two leaders navigating conflict

How Leaders Can Help Teams Move Beyond the Past

By Sylvia Lafair | March 20, 2025 |

Summary: When left unresolved, conflict can linger like a heavy cloud, impacting individuals, teams, and entire communities. But what if the best way to heal isn’t through endless debate or forced apologies but by doing something together to move beyond the past? Dear Dr. Sylvia, I was thinking about a pre-pandemic on-site my company did…

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People walking on upward pink arrow.

Healing Long-Standing Conflicts: The Leader’s Role in Restoring Harmony

By Sylvia Lafair | March 18, 2025 |

Summary: Conflict is inevitable, but long-standing conflicts—in families, workplaces, or communities—can become deeply ingrained and corrosive. Leaders play a crucial role in breaking the cycle. They guide individuals and teams toward resolution, and fostering a culture of understanding. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have two employees who are a mini-representation of the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and…

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Women with smoke coming out of her head thriving through chaos

Leading Through Chaos: What to Do When Everything Seems to Fall Apart

By Sylvia Lafair | March 13, 2025 |

Summary: Chaos is inevitable. Whether it’s a sudden shift in the market, a workplace conflict spiraling out of control, or a global crisis that turns everything upside down, leaders are often thrown into the eye of the storm. The question is not if chaos will happen but how you will respond when it does. Dear…

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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 |

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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