Leadership Strategies

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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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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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mental health

How to Be In Charge of Stress NOT Just Cope

By Sylvia Lafair | June 21, 2022 | Comments Off on How to Be In Charge of Stress NOT Just Cope

Summary: I did a survey asking the following question: What are your usual coping mechanisms? Here are new ways to cope with today’s stress. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Is the world moving faster? Perhaps it’s just me? Nah, I understand that we have more technology to give us information at warp speed. Thus, we know more…

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Here’s What Success at Work Looks Like During Difficult Times

By Sylvia Lafair | June 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Here’s What Success at Work Looks Like During Difficult Times

Summary: How do you stay true to your core values when everything is out of focus? Dear Dr. Sylvia, How do you ever know when enough is enough? I mean, enough in every sense of the word. For example, when is there enough money in the bank? Or when there is enough food in the…

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Case Study for Leadership Development and Team Collaboration

By Sylvia Lafair | June 6, 2022 | Comments Off on Case Study for Leadership Development and Team Collaboration

Summary: Here’s how to tell the truth at work; encourage openness and collaboration rather than defensiveness for successful team development. Dear Dr. Sylvia, We are now back in the office three days a week and working from home for two days. It certainly is changing the dynamic of how people behave with each other. Sadly,…

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Here’s How To Identify and Cope With Stress Now and Forever!

By Sylvia Lafair | May 17, 2022 | Comments Off on Here’s How To Identify and Cope With Stress Now and Forever!

Summary: Are you looking for stress relief? Is your stress higher at work or at home? Here is how to cope with stress and help those around you benefit.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  Even though I don’t know Will Smith, I keep getting a whack on the side of my head! At least, it’s only figuratively. …

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Leadership Education and Transformation: Is Change Worth the Effort Or Not?

By Sylvia Lafair | May 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Leadership Education and Transformation: Is Change Worth the Effort Or Not?

Summary: Transformation is in vogue right now. Here are ideas to help you decide what to decide. Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am a Senior Vice President of a very successful retail furniture company. However, I have lost my mojo. I want to quit and…

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Your BOSS Is NOT Your MOTHER

By Sylvia Lafair | May 3, 2022 | Comments Off on Your BOSS Is NOT Your MOTHER

Summary: Do you know that many bosses can be seen as work- mothers? It’s universal and essential to realize this is a complex role that gets in the way of long-term success. Here are some ideas to ponder. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have a mother; of course, we all do! I am also a mother…

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