Leadership

Tea with Thay: Traveling in China with Thich Nhat Hanh 

By Sylvia Lafair | January 25, 2022 |

Summary: In June 2000 I was able to participate in the “trip of a lifetime.†Here are some thought about what I learned being with this esteemed teacher about the deeper meaning of transformational leadership. Thay (which means teacher in Vietnamese) â€œbecame part of everything†on January 22, 2022.  He holds the small porcelain cup in both hands. He lifts it slowly, so very…

How Your Survival Brain Shifts to Success

By Sylvia Lafair | January 18, 2022 |

Summary: All leaders must learn to manage stress through self-awareness. Here’s what you need to know. Did you know you can see and hear signs of stress? The part you can see you express through your body. Think about hands clenched in a fist or lips pulled together in a frown. In addition, the tone…

What is the best present for you to receive now or ever?

By Sylvia Lafair | December 28, 2021 |

Summary: Look at this year and decide the best presents you received. There are birthdays, holidays, and “just because” gifts. Think about relationship communications and see how that fits into your best current list. What is a meaningful gift? Is it something you requested, or did someone make an excellent guess, and voila, there it…

How Transformational Leadership Works: It Takes GUTSY Women and BOLD Men

By Sylvia Lafair | December 14, 2021 |

Summary: We’re on the cusp of new ways of relating to each other. It’s going to take all of us, GUTSY women and BOLD men. The old way is about power, prestige, and prominence. The new method, transformational leadership, is still being designed. Here are ways to “prime the pump.” The new and better way…

Telling the Truth: Not for Wimps

By Sylvia Lafair | November 30, 2021 |

Summary: Why is telling the truth so darn hard? Why is it even worse to speak truth to power? It’s about the words and especially about the timing. Here are some ways to make truth-telling more effective. So much information, so much confusion. Who do you believe?  Which media outlets are pushing out fake news…

Pandora, Stress Management, and Hope

By Sylvia Lafair | November 23, 2021 |

Here is a timely story for this holiday season. It starts with a wedding gift. So far, so good. It was a gift from Zeus to the gorgeous young bride, Pandora. However, Zeus put Pandora in a double bind. You see, while she received this beautiful box (actually, in Greek mythology, it’s a jar). The…

What to do when you feel overwhelmed

By Sylvia Lafair | November 2, 2021 |

Summary: What do you keep telling yourself when you have no more bandwidth to do one more thing? Overwhelmed is how most business people feel these days. Here are some ideas to help you find a way to be reinvigorated. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Everything right now seems to make my staff (including me) tense and…

What YOU Can Do If Your Direct Reports Hate Your Guts!

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2021 |

Summary: “I hate my boss” is a common comment in most workplaces. How do you know if you fit the category? Here’s the litmus test. Being a Boss Means YOU Must Handle Conflict at Work You’ve received a promotion. Congrats. You feel confident and ready for the challenge. That is to say, you’re now the…

Be a Great Leader: Tackle Imposter Syndrome, Self-doubt, and Overwhelm

By Sylvia Lafair | August 31, 2021 |

Summary: Mental health has been upgraded. And it’s about time! It’s not just for those you label “nut cases.” It’s for you, and you, and me. For example, many people these days are talking and worrying about their mental health. Here’s how to remain calm, cool, and collected when extra stress is thrown your way.…

4 Ways To Fix What Breaks (A Band-aid Is NOT Enough)

By Sylvia Lafair | August 24, 2021 |

Summary: How can you create a winning situation when it looks like you unintentionally set it up to lose. This is about leadership under pressure. And, in these complex times, pressure is all the time. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Well, it finally happened! And it has been awful, horrible, and over the top frustrating. My whole…