Managing Stress

The Courage to Change: Why Staying Stuck Is the Real Risk

By Sylvia Lafair | May 6, 2025 |

Summary: Most people say they want to change—until change knocks on their door wearing work boots and holding a mirror. Then suddenly, resistance becomes the name of the game. It is like that most of the time. Yet, there are better ways. Read on. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’m reaching out with steam still coming out…

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Charisma vs. Emotional Maturity: Why Leaders Need More Than Just Sparkle to Shine

By Sylvia Lafair | April 24, 2025 |

Let’s pull back the curtain and get real: Leaders who rely solely on charisma eventually hit a wall. The ones who rise (and stay risen) have something deeper, quieter, and far more powerful—emotional maturity. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Our CEO, a quiet and helpful leader, recently hired a new head of sales with minimal input from…

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Leadership by Walking Around : A Classic Practice with a Modern Twist

By Sylvia Lafair | April 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Leadership by Walking Around : A Classic Practice with a Modern Twist

Tired of Zoom fatigue and Slack pings? Try LBWA (Leadership by Walking around). There’s something refreshingly old-school—and surprisingly effective—about a leader who shows up. It’s time to redo what used to be popular and bring it back. Dear Dr. Sylvia, My mentor is a very successful man who is handing me the keys to take…

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Parents as Leaders: Netflix’s “Adolescence” Reveals the Hidden Stress of Being a Leader at Home

By Sylvia Lafair | March 27, 2025 | Comments Off on Parents as Leaders: Netflix’s “Adolescence” Reveals the Hidden Stress of Being a Leader at Home

Summary: If you’ve watched Netflix’s Adolescence, you probably felt your heart twist a few times. I know mine did. The show brilliantly captures what it means to come of age in today’s turbulent world. There’s another layer quietly pulsing beneath the surface—the stress of being a leader as you parent your children. Dear Dr. Sylvia,…

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A man with gold he's manipulated out of people as a sociopath in business

How to Spot Manipulative Individuals

By Sylvia Lafair | February 20, 2025 | Comments Off on How to Spot Manipulative Individuals

Before They Take You for a Ride with Your Work and Your Money Summary: Have you ever met someone who seemed too good to be true, only to later realize they had manipulated, deceived, or even financially exploited you? If so, you encountered a “toxic friend.” In the workplace, these manipulative folks can be incredibly…

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Dog cowering from misdirected anger from owner

Misdirected Anger and Caring: Two Sides of the Same Coin in Leadership and Life

By Sylvia Lafair | February 11, 2025 | Comments Off on Misdirected Anger and Caring: Two Sides of the Same Coin in Leadership and Life

Summary: Have you ever lashed out at someone who doesn’t deserve it? Or overextended kindness in a situation where you need firm boundaries? These are two common behaviors in both personal and professional life—misdirected anger and misdirected caring. They may seem like opposites, but they stem from the same root cause: unresolved patterns that cause…

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A pattern of people lined up

How Patterns of Behavior Differ from Habits: What You Need to Know

By Sylvia Lafair | January 28, 2025 | Comments Off on How Patterns of Behavior Differ from Habits: What You Need to Know

Summary: Understanding the distinction between behavior patterns and habits is essential when examining personal growth and professional success. Although we often use these terms interchangeably, they represent two distinct concepts that impact how we navigate relationships, make decisions, and respond to challenges. Let’s delve into how patterns of behavior and habits differ and why recognizing…

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Football player making a touchdown

Stress Goes for a Touchdown

By Sylvia Lafair | January 23, 2025 | Comments Off on Stress Goes for a Touchdown

How Excellent Behavior Leads to Victory On and Off the Field Summary: As Super Bowl LIX nears, the NFL’s best will take the field, showcasing skill, strategy, and sportsmanship. The game will offer leadership lessons far beyond touchdowns, teaching us that character and excellent behavior often define true winners. Dear Dr. Sylvia, There is so…

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Inside out cast together balancing leadership with stress

Leadership Lessons from the Film “Inside Out Two”: What Happens When Old Memories Cause Stress

By Sylvia Lafair | January 9, 2025 | Comments Off on Leadership Lessons from the Film “Inside Out Two”: What Happens When Old Memories Cause Stress

Summary: Leadership often feels like a balancing act between managing the present and navigating the baggage of the past. For many leaders, old memories triggered by stressful situations can derail focus, cloud decision-making, and create internal turmoil. Don’t stay in adolescent reactions. Here’s how to release what no longer works. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…

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Cookies for holiday reflections

A Holiday Reflection: Finding Hope in the Season’s Honest Truths

By Sylvia Lafair | December 26, 2024 | Comments Off on A Holiday Reflection: Finding Hope in the Season’s Honest Truths

Summary: The holiday season is often wrapped in shimmering lights, cheerful music, and the promise of togetherness. Yet, for many, it brings a complex mix of emotions: nostalgia, joy, longing, and stress. This is a time to pause, reflect, and connect with the holiday season in our increasingly complicated world. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I keep…

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