Managing Stress

Three colorful darts strike the bullseye of a vibrant painted target, symbolizing focus and recovery from burnout through balance and alignment.

Listen for the Glimmers: Go Past Burnout and Resentment by Offering Ways to Reconnect Head, Heart, and Gut

By Sylvia Lafair | October 12, 2025 |

Summary: Resentment and burnout are not simply emotional states; they are physiological signals that a person has been living in chronic misalignment. The brain spins with overanalysis (head), the heart closes off in self-protection (heart), and the gut tightens, warning that something feels “off” (gut). This disconnection often results from prolonged stress, people-pleasing, or purpose…

Read More
Hand catching golden glimmers of light and glitter, symbolizing hope, positivity, and leadership moments.

How GLIMMERS Illuminate The Leader’s Path to Success

By Sylvia Lafair | October 1, 2025 |

Summary: We live in a world full of noise, deadlines, and distractions that pull us away from ourselves. But glimmers are stubborn little messengers of hope. They sneak in anyway. For example, they arrive in a stranger’s smile, the smell of brownies baking in the oven, the sound of wind threading through trees. These signs…

Read More
A modern office desk designed like a puzzle with one colorful piece missing, symbolizing what’s missing in today’s workplace.

What’s Missing in Today’s Workplace

By Sylvia Lafair | September 4, 2025 | Comments Off on What’s Missing in Today’s Workplace

Summary: Leaders are increasingly focused on productivity hacks, hybrid work schedules, and the latest tech platforms. Yet underneath the noise, something essential has slipped through the cracks. Hint: No AI can fix what is missing. Dear Dr. Sylvia, There was an awkward moment at work recently. Before we settled down for our ELT, one of…

Read More
A green sprout growing through cracked concrete on a steep San Francisco sidewalk, symbolizing how curiosity transforms stress into growth.

When Stress Clamps Down, Curiosity Blows the Doors Off

By Sylvia Lafair | July 17, 2025 | Comments Off on When Stress Clamps Down, Curiosity Blows the Doors Off

Summary: You know that feeling, your chest tightens, your jaw clenches, and suddenly your to-do list feels like a personal attack. That’s stress! We all relate to stress. Instead of taking the meds, here is another way to pivot the stress factor and feel better faster. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I read your book “Invisible Stress…

Read More
Lit memorial candles in warm colors symbolizing navigating grief after tragedy.

Navigating Grief: The Impact of the Texas Tragedy

By Sylvia Lafair | July 10, 2025 | Comments Off on Navigating Grief: The Impact of the Texas Tragedy

Summary: July 4, 2025, began with hopes of fireworks and fun. It ended in a nightmare. Within mere hours, relentless rains unleashed catastrophic flash floods. Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp, became a heartbreaking symbol of this trauma. Here are some thoughts on coping with grief following sudden tragedies. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I live far…

Read More
A man in office attire illustrating oversharing at work with colorful letters and symbols swirling from his mouth and around his head.

Oversharing at Work: When “Being Real” Turns Really Awkward

By Sylvia Lafair | June 17, 2025 | Comments Off on Oversharing at Work: When “Being Real” Turns Really Awkward

Summary: Let’s talk about oversharing. It’s that awkward moment when someone turns a team meeting into a therapy session. You’ve seen it. You’ve cringed. Maybe (gulp) you’ve even done it. Welcome to the land of Too Much Information (TMI) at work. Today’s world of stress has this population growing fast. Dear Dr Sylvia, Why do…

Read More
Diverse group of people smiling together.

Generational Whiplash: How to Lead When Gen Z Calls the Shots to Reshape the Workforce

By Sylvia Lafair | May 28, 2025 | Comments Off on Generational Whiplash: How to Lead When Gen Z Calls the Shots to Reshape the Workforce

Summary: Most leaders over 40 are still figuring out if “ghosting” means disappearing from a project or ignoring emails and texts. In today’s new reality, Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is speaking up to reshape the workforce. Leaders everywhere are feeling the generational whiplash. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am the CEO of a…

Read More
multi colored hands holding to show trust

Rebuilding Trust in a Chaotic World: Why Leaders Must Lead With Courage, Not Control

By Sylvia Lafair | May 20, 2025 | Comments Off on Rebuilding Trust in a Chaotic World: Why Leaders Must Lead With Courage, Not Control

The Trust Crisis is Real—and it’s Costing You. Tension is everywhere. Everyone is careful and afraid to speak out. Trust isn’t just low in today’s chaotic world; it’s evaporating. And without it, even your best strategies fall flat. Here is what to think about moving forward. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I just resigned from a company…

Read More
Paper plane ascending wooden steps, blue background.

Transformation: How Real Change Happens (and Why Most People Get It Wrong)

By Sylvia Lafair | May 13, 2025 | Comments Off on Transformation: How Real Change Happens (and Why Most People Get It Wrong)

Let’s start with the truth: change isn’t a light switch. You can’t just decide to change and expect the heavens to part and your stress to vanish. Real, lasting change — the kind that shifts not just your habits but your entire way of relating to the world — requires deeper work. It takes courage,…

Read More
Woman in trash can, blue wall background.

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

By Sylvia Lafair | May 6, 2025 | Comments Off on The Courage to Change: Why Staying Stuck Is the Real Risk

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…

Read More