Gutsy
Summary: The recent elections did more than make political history. They challenged generations of unwritten rules about who gets to lead, whose voice matters, and what happens when someone refuses to remain invisible. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I watched the election results and was struck by something beyond which political party won or lost. At least…
Summary: What a Pulitzer Prize-winning play at Berkeley Rep reveals about women’s liberation, family patterns, and the unfinished business of change. I recently attended a performance of Liberation at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and it brought back memories of the women’s movement in the 1970s. Yes, I was a part of those days, honoring Gloria…
Summary: Why disruption brings out our oldest behaviors, and how to turn uncertainty into a GLIMMER. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Have you noticed how differently people respond when the world suddenly feels uncertain? My son-in-law, who was a “shew-in” for a relatively minor public office, now looks like he will lose the vote for a job…
Summary: We often think of boundaries as walls that we put up when we’re angry, hurt, or trying to keep someone out. But healthy boundaries are not about rejection. They are about clarity. When attempting to break an old pattern, clarity can be uncomfortable, especially when the person on the other side is someone you…
Summary: What if meaningful organizational change begins not with a grand strategy, but with a leader who notices what others may have overlooked? Hanneke Faber’s leadership offers a powerful example of how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge the familiar can create meaningful transformation. Some leaders enter an organization with a five-year plan already…
Summary: What if the things that bother you most are actually trying to get your attention? Gloria Steinem’s life offers a powerful reminder that change often begins with a GLIMMER—a question, contradiction, or moment that makes you stop and wonder why things are the way they are. Discover what happens when you pay attention to…
Summary: Dolly Parton has spent a lifetime covered in rhinestones. Yet somehow, she has never appeared to hide behind them. That may be one of the most remarkable things about her. In a culture fascinated by status, image, followers, titles, money, and the carefully polished version of ourselves we present to the world, Dolly Parton…
Summary: What if one of the worst moments in your career actually pointed you toward the work you were meant to do? Long before Oprah Winfrey became Oprah, she was a 22-year-old television journalist who moved to Baltimore to co-anchor the evening news at WJZ-TV. Oprah has written and spoken openly about those early years.…
Summary: When people think of strong leaders, they often picture someone who is loud, commanding, and always certain. But some of the most effective leaders possess a different kind of strength. Here is what a more mature leader does. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern demonstrated that leadership begins with self-awareness. She showed the…
Summary: We often think freedom comes from changing jobs, relationships, or circumstances, but real freedom begins within. By recognizing the old patterns and stories that shape our reactions, we create space to choose a different response. That moment of self-awareness is where lasting change begins—and where we gain the freedom to lead, connect, and create…