Leadership

Speaking Truth to Power

By Sylvia Lafair | October 7, 2020 |

Summary: How do you stand for what you believe is right and be heard? Speaking truth to power takes courage and determination. Here are some thoughts to consider when you make your own decision. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I built a remarkable career over the past 15 years. I was considered a high potential emerging leader,…

I’m Not Pattern Blind

By Sylvia Lafair | September 30, 2020 |

Summary: Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are essential aspects of high-level positive communication. Here are some ideas to help you be the best leader you can be. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’ve heard you talk about “Pattern Blindness” in the same sentence as “Speaking the Unspeakable.” Can you say more, please?  In addition, you also talk about…

Leadership in a Time of Incivility

By Sylvia Lafair | July 29, 2020 |

Watching the service for John Lewis got me thinking. About civil rights, about politics, about funerals, and mostly about civility. That’s something we have lost in our country. Not only civility, even more, but we have also lost the dream of the United States. Why are we so fragmented today? Why are so many people…

How to See Your Emotional Blind Spots

By Sylvia Lafair | July 22, 2020 |

Summary: Do you want to be able to see what you can’t see? There are ways to make the invisible visible. Keep reading. What can you do to make positive changes when you cannot see what is wrong? That is to say, can you use a magnifying glass or an x-ray machine to help? Above…

In the Room Where IT Happened

By Sylvia Lafair | July 10, 2020 |

Summary: Leadership and self-awareness go hand in hand. That means knowing your family and cultural history. Have you ever thought about what happened in the room where YOU began?  #leadership #culture #communication I have a question. Do you know about you, in the room where it happened? The success of the Broadway show Hamilton brings that song…

Can You Remember?

By Sylvia Lafair | July 8, 2020 |

Summary: The time has come to understand better diversity and inclusion in our work, schools, and communities. It begins with your personal story. Everyone has one where they were excluded or ignored. Here is how to use storytelling at work. Can you remember the first time words were thrown your way that would bite and sting?  Above…

Leadership: What We Learn From Gen Z

By Sylvia Lafair | June 24, 2020 |

Summary: The difference between having a debate and having a dialogue are worlds apart. For healthy relationships, dialogue is the winner. There is an astounding amount of polarization in the world right now. It can be seen in all generations. Sometimes I wonder if the bad habits from the past will ever change. It seems…

Leadership and Stress

By Sylvia Lafair | June 17, 2020 |

Summary: Leadership skills must include best practices for dealing with stress. Here is some food for thought. What is top of mind today is what leadership skills are needed when stress is high, which seems to be hanging around every day during these changing times. That is to say, we all feel it. At least,…

The Courage to Change: Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement

By Sylvia Lafair | June 10, 2020 |

Summary: Diversity and inclusion are now the norms rather than the exceptions. The big question is: “What can be done to heal the chasm of discontent that exists in most workplaces, in fact, around the world, regarding differences? Here are thoughts to ponder. We need a new way to approach diversity and inclusion. “What’s the…

Is There A Common Future?

By Sylvia Lafair | June 5, 2020 |

Summary: Here is why addictions and change fight each other. Yet, they lead us to think about our shared future. Better yet, read on to see what to do about it. Here is the BIG QUESTION: What is the destination?  STOP!  Most importantly, do not answer just yet.  Covid-19 has caused us to ask.  To clarify,…