Stress

fear of finding out

The Leadership Blind Spot: Fear of Finding Out, and What It Costs You

By Sylvia Lafair | December 15, 2025 |

FOFO, or fear of finding out, keeps us stuck in avoidance, denial, and distraction—making small issues grow bigger. Learn how to recognize the subtle signals, regulate your nervous system, and take brave, manageable steps to face the truth and reclaim your agency.

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how wise leaders survive

How Wise Leaders Survive the Holidays (and Don’t Lose Their Minds, Their Teams, or Their Health)

By Sylvia Lafair | December 10, 2025 |

Learn how business leaders survive holiday stress with clarity, and ways to protect energy, support your team, and lead wisely.

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patterns escalate

Patterns Escalate at This Time of Year: Complete Them or Repeat Them, Your Choice

By Sylvia Lafair | December 4, 2025 |

Explore why family patterns escalate during the holidays and learn simple shifts that transform your reactions, relationships, and leadership.

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The Patterns We Pass

The Patterns We Pass at the Thanksgiving Table: A Lesson in Leadership, Love, and Letting Go

By Sylvia Lafair | November 24, 2025 |

Summary: Thanksgiving has a way of shining a spotlight on the people we love most and the patterns we pass around, but would prefer to keep in the pantry with the canned cranberry sauce. Let this year be a day of gratitude and learning. Keep reading about how to make this time with family and friends…

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Business professional running toward golden light, symbolizing determination and growth in conflict resolution skills at work.

The Ugly Middle: When Conflict Gets Messy (and What to Do About It)

By Sylvia Lafair | October 9, 2025 |

Summary: Every leader wants conflict resolution to occur as quickly as possible. Few are prepared for the ugly middle, where things get confusing. Here’s how to stay grounded when you feel frustrated and hopeless. Dear Dr. Sylvia, The entire world seems to be fighting all the time. There is no middle ground. I often feel…

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Colorful celebration with raised hands reaching through flying confetti, symbolizing courage, connection, and Leadership Without Fear.

A Different View of Leadership in Today’s Polarized World

By Sylvia Lafair | September 22, 2025 |

Summary: Leadership today isn’t just about titles, strategies, or skills. It’s about you, and you, and me. It’s about how we each bring our voices forward, no matter our role. Today is about the courage to speak out, ask questions, and yes, to listen. We are at an inflection point, where we can either make…

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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 |

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…

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Silhouette of man speaking on colorful stage.

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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Breaking the cycle of emotional patterns

Breaking the Cycle: How Patterns Shape Workplace Tension

By Sylvia Lafair | February 26, 2025 |

Lisa’s response to Greg wasn’t just a moment of emotional intelligence—it was a shift in a long-standing workplace pattern. If she had reacted with defensiveness, their conflict would have deepened, reinforcing a cycle of hostility. Instead, by stepping back and choosing curiosity over combat, she disrupted the dynamic. This is what pattern awareness is all…

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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 |

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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