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When Yelling Erupts at Work

By Sylvia Lafair | May 1, 2025 |

How to Handle Conflict Without Losing Your Cool If you’ve ever been the recipient of someone’s work meltdown, especially when the volume turns to eleven, it is disorienting. You freeze, fume, or fantasize about quitting on the spot. But here’s the truth: conflict is inevitable. How you handle it is optional. Let’s look at handling…

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Man hiding from fear of losing job

Fear of Losing Your Job: How to Turn Panic into Power

By Sylvia Lafair | April 29, 2025 |

Summary: Fear of losing your job can bury or build you. Which one are you choosing? Our economy is like the biggest roller coaster in an amusement park. However, while fear of losing your job can cause screams, it’s not fun. Nobody gets a lifetime guarantee stamped on their paycheck. Fear is natural—it’s what you…

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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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When Conflict Hits: Align Your Head, Heart, and Gut

By Sylvia Lafair | April 22, 2025 | Comments Off on When Conflict Hits: Align Your Head, Heart, and Gut

In times of chaos and conflict, most people either freeze, fume, or flee. But smart leaders? They align. Align what, you ask? Not your calendar. Not your chakras (though hey, that might help too). We’re talking about Triple Alignment™: Head, Heart, Gut. It’s a new way of thinking about conflict resolution for leaders. Dear Dr.…

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Bite Your Lip Communication: A Leader’s Secret Weapon for Long-Term Influence

By Sylvia Lafair | April 15, 2025 | Comments Off on Bite Your Lip Communication: A Leader’s Secret Weapon for Long-Term Influence

Summary: Often, less is more when it comes to being a successful leader. Here is why it may be best to hold your tongue, bite your lip, and wait for a better time to respond. Leadership communication is both an art and a skill if done correctly. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have often heard you…

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Women with smoke coming out of her head thriving through chaos

Leading Through Chaos: What to Do When Everything Seems to Fall Apart

By Sylvia Lafair | March 13, 2025 | Comments Off on Leading Through Chaos: What to Do When Everything Seems to Fall Apart

Summary: Chaos is inevitable. Whether it’s a sudden shift in the market, a workplace conflict spiraling out of control, or a global crisis that turns everything upside down, leaders are often thrown into the eye of the storm. The question is not if chaos will happen but how you will respond when it does. Dear…

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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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Valentine’s Day Reflection: Hearing the Words Within your “Heart”

By Sylvia Lafair | February 13, 2025 | Comments Off on Valentine’s Day Reflection: Hearing the Words Within your “Heart”

Dear All, Have a sweet and caring Valentine’s Day with your loved ones. Along with flowers and chocolates, here are some thoughts to consider. Valentine’s Day is a time for love, connection, and deep listening—not just with our ears but with our hearts. Ultimately, it’s a day when words carry more meaning. Think about when…

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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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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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