Leadership Strategies

An illustration of a man resolving a conflict

Ouch: Taking the Sting from Conflict at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | October 20, 2022 | Comments Off on Ouch: Taking the Sting from Conflict at Work

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…

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An illustration and artwork of people fighting in an office

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

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2022 | Comments Off on Is It Possible to Transform Workplace Conflict, Or Should You Learn to Live With It?

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…

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Leadership Programs for Everyone: “Write It To Right It” For Productivity and Success 

By Sylvia Lafair | October 3, 2022 | Comments Off on Leadership Programs for Everyone: “Write It To Right It” For Productivity and Success 

Summary: You can alter your narrative about any situation to enact positive lasting change. You do this when you shift the blame, judgment, and negativity that get in the way of success. Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I am not a believer in magic.   Let me explain. Sometimes I think you make suggestions that are impossible to…

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Tom Brady, Microsoft Tablets, and Work/Home Relationships 

By Sylvia Lafair | September 27, 2022 | Comments Off on Tom Brady, Microsoft Tablets, and Work/Home Relationships 

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.”  …

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Why Our Leadership Coaching Services Start from the Inside OUT

By Sylvia Lafair | September 19, 2022 | Comments Off on Why Our Leadership Coaching Services Start from the Inside OUT

Summary: How would the world of work change if we learned to look at our behavior patterns from a broader perspective? Here are suggestions from our leadership coaching services to think differently. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am frustrated. I have an employee who is always, and I mean always, disagreeing with me. We need to…

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two stressed persons

4 Mistakes Leaders Make That Cause Stress to Boil Over 

By Sylvia Lafair | August 16, 2022 | Comments Off on 4 Mistakes Leaders Make That Cause Stress to Boil Over 

Summary: Too much stress is self-induced and comes from how we react to change. While the change won’t stop, how you respond can make a difference. While I know this is a fundamental concept, here are ways to look at your responses in a different light.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I’ll make this short and sweet.…

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Leadership Lessons: When Hidden Emotions Show Up

By Sylvia Lafair | July 26, 2022 | Comments Off on Leadership Lessons: When Hidden Emotions Show Up

Summary: The emotions underneath leadership decisions are often ignored. Learning to read your specific personal concerns and upsets can lead to more effective leadership moving forward.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I cannot watch the news anymore without a knot in my stomach. When I see the fires roar around the world and the guns destroy lives,…

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words have power quote

How to Use Your Favorite 4-Letter Word and Make a Positive Difference 

By Sylvia Lafair | July 19, 2022 | Comments Off on How to Use Your Favorite 4-Letter Word and Make a Positive Difference 

Summary: The world has changed, and more freedom of speech exists. However, freedom has a downside. The big question is how to use that freedom productively rather than hurt and hinder relationships.   Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Am I alone in using strong words to help calm me down when I am upset?  I think not.  However,…

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Artwork and illustrations of different women leaders

What Happens to Women Leaders When They Tell The Truth?

By Sylvia Lafair | July 12, 2022 | Comments Off on What Happens to Women Leaders When They Tell The Truth?

Summary: There is always a risk to telling the truth. Is it more difficult for women to speak up? Most research says “yes.” Here is a way to be clear, heard, and respected.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  As a leader, I know I must give difficult feedback to my team. However, I have not mastered “the…

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The Benefits of A Difficult Conversation

By Sylvia Lafair | June 29, 2022 | Comments Off on The Benefits of A Difficult Conversation

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…

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