Leadership

A leader breaking through barriers, symbolizing the emotional and strategic challenges of leading change with courage and empathy.

When Pushing Boundaries Feels Like a Battle (But You Know It’s Right)

By Sylvia Lafair | October 30, 2025 |

Summary: Every leader who has ever driven meaningful change knows this moment: you’re pushing forward, stretching the system, and the resistance hits like a wall. It’s not subtle. You can feel it in the silence after you speak, in the sideways glances, in the sudden reappearance of “that’s not how we’ve always done it. And…

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Feeling disconnected at work, a symbolic red figure surrounded by muted tones representing isolation and the path to reconnection.

What to Do When You Feel Disconnected From Your Team at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | October 28, 2025 |

Summary: Even in the most collaborative workplaces, it’s natural to go through periods when you feel disconnected from your team. Maybe everyone’s working remotely, or priorities have shifted, or you’re just not clicking the way you used to. Whatever the reason, disconnection doesn’t have to last forever. Here’s how to reconnect with your colleagues, your…

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A confident woman in red glasses and a vibrant superhero outfit represents leadership development with confidence and authenticity.

Are You a Pleaser or Rescuer? Yes, They Are Different

By Sylvia Lafair | October 21, 2025 |

Summary: Most people who’ve worked with me know that I often trace workplace behavior back to family dynamics. It’s not about blame. It’s about awareness, recognizing how the lessons we learned at home subtly influence our leadership, communication, and relationships. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I always thought I was, like most women, a pleaser. I was…

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Office celebration with coworkers toasting champagne glasses, capturing the spirit of success, teamwork, and camaraderie in an office drinking moment.

Why So Many People Drink Too Much at Work Offsites and Holiday Parties: And What It Really Says About Culture

By Sylvia Lafair | October 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Why So Many People Drink Too Much at Work Offsites and Holiday Parties: And What It Really Says About Culture

Summary: In my work studying patterns of behavior, I’ve learned that culture isn’t built in Executive Leadership meetings; it’s revealed by what happens after hours. Offsites don’t just show how we celebrate; they show what we avoid. Here are some thoughts to consider as we prepare for the holiday season. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…

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Three colorful darts strike the bullseye of a vibrant painted target, symbolizing focus and recovery from burnout through balance and alignment.

Listen for the Glimmers: Go Past Burnout and Resentment by Offering Ways to Reconnect Head, Heart, and Gut

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2025 | Comments Off on Listen for the Glimmers: Go Past Burnout and Resentment by Offering Ways to Reconnect Head, Heart, and Gut

Summary: Resentment and burnout are not simply emotional states; they are physiological signals that a person has been living in chronic misalignment. The brain spins with overanalysis (head), the heart closes off in self-protection (heart), and the gut tightens, warning that something feels “off” (gut). This disconnection often results from prolonged stress, people-pleasing, or purpose…

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Overhead view of a diverse team in a brainstorming session around a wooden table with a thought cloud in the center, symbolizing leadership dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

Stop Arguing, Start Listening: The Giants of Dialogue Show Why Their Work Matters More Than Ever

By Sylvia Lafair | September 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Stop Arguing, Start Listening: The Giants of Dialogue Show Why Their Work Matters More Than Ever

Summary: What do you answer when someone starts a conversation with “How are you? “Most of us say the typical knee-jerk “Fine, Thanks.” Also, do you enter a debate with boxing gloves on, ready to win rather than lose? Neither way works in the long term. Here’s what makes a difference. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I…

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A dramatic sunset silhouette of two teams locked in a tug-of-war, symbolizing the struggle of overcoming toxic polarization through effort and unity.

When Polarization Becomes the Norm: Here’s What to Do

By Sylvia Lafair | September 11, 2025 | Comments Off on When Polarization Becomes the Norm: Here’s What to Do

Summary: Let’s face it: these days it feels like the world is split into “us” and “them” about… well, everything: politics, workplace policies, parenting styles. Polarization has become the default setting. And when being “right” matters more than being in a relationship, the cost is steep: broken teams, broken families, broken trust. The question is:…

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A single king chess piece stands upright on a chessboard surrounded by fallen black and white pieces, symbolizing the isolation of ego-driven leadership.

Narcissism in Leadership: Can It Be Transformed or Must We Endure It?

By Sylvia Lafair | September 9, 2025 | Comments Off on Narcissism in Leadership: Can It Be Transformed or Must We Endure It?

Summary: The phrase, “That’s just the way they are,” has excused bad behavior for far too long. We often complain about parents or bosses who dominate every conversation, hijack good ideas, and somehow always seem to find the spotlight. But here’s the million-dollar leadership question: Do we have to live with egotistical relationships, or can…

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A modern office desk designed like a puzzle with one colorful piece missing, symbolizing what’s missing in today’s workplace.

What’s Missing in Today’s Workplace

By Sylvia Lafair | September 4, 2025 | Comments Off on What’s Missing in Today’s Workplace

Summary: Leaders are increasingly focused on productivity hacks, hybrid work schedules, and the latest tech platforms. Yet underneath the noise, something essential has slipped through the cracks. Hint: No AI can fix what is missing. Dear Dr. Sylvia, There was an awkward moment at work recently. Before we settled down for our ELT, one of…

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A row of yellow rubber ducks dressed in business suits lined up on an office windowsill with a busy downtown skyline in the background, one duck facing forward in sunglasses, symbolizing The Ridicule Factor and the courage to stand out when leaving a company that no longer meets your needs.

The Ridicule Factor: When You Leave a Company That No Longer Meets Your Needs

By Sylvia Lafair | August 28, 2025 | Comments Off on The Ridicule Factor: When You Leave a Company That No Longer Meets Your Needs

Summary: Forget the official goodbye emails and polite handshakes. The fear of gossip often haunts people when they resign. There is a whispered, “Can you believe she left? She’ll regret it.” Or the raised eyebrows that silently say, ”I bet he was really fired and they are just being politically correct.” Here are some thoughts…

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