World
Summary: Why do some leaders keep solving the same problems over and over while others seem able to transform an entire culture? The difference is often not intelligence, but pattern intelligence, or the ability to notice the invisible dynamics beneath visible behavior. It means recognizing recurring emotional, relational, and organizational patterns before they become crises.…
Summary: Every year around this time, we celebrate freedom. Flags wave. Families gather. Fireworks light up the night sky. And while we are meant to remember past freedom fighters, we often get caught up in our day-to-day activities. Let’s take a look at freedom from another vantage point. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I see Independence Day…
Summary: Every generation believes its leadership challenges are unique, but they’re not. Technology, politics, and markets may change over the years, yet human nature changes very little. Here’s what you need to know to lead in today’s chaotic world. As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day in the United States, I found myself going back,…
Summary: Politics divides people. Human experience connects us. No matter where we stand politically, one thing is impossible to ignore: each of the four living former Presidents of the United States has lived through profound personal shocks. Perhaps that should not surprise us. Here is how they transformed the pain of shock into wisdom. As…
Summary: Most leadership problems are not caused by a lack of strategy. They are caused by stress. Organizations spend millions teaching communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills. Yet when pressure rises, even smart leaders often react in ways that surprise themselves. Why? Because strategy is logical, and stress is biological. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…
SUMMARY: Dolly Parton reminds us that the most successful leaders refuse to let other people’s labels define their future. One of my favorite quotes from her is, “I’m not offended by all the dumb blond jokes, because I know I’m not dumb and I also know I’m not blonde.” She nailed it for all the…
Summary: At this year’s Tony Awards, something remarkable happened. At age 80, John Lithgow won another Tony Award, becoming one of the most celebrated performers of his generation. While the headlines focused on the award itself, I found myself thinking about something else. Longevity. Not simply staying in the game, but growing in the game.…
Summary: Everyone is talking about AI—how fast it is, how powerful it is, and how much work it can do. Some people are excited by it, while others are terrified. Most are trying to figure out where they fit into a future that seems to be changing by the minute. But I think we may…
Summary: When a mentor who made a difference transitions, it prompts reflection on the core of how life has changed. The words from the song “Wicked” have been quietly ringing in my ears. For Jean Houston, “knowing you has changed me for the better.” Change Happens in Unexpected Ways “Something is wrong here.” That was…
Summary: Many years ago, I attended a conference focused on one enormous question: What do we need to do to make the planet healthier and more humane? The room itself felt electric. Among the dignitaries were John Denver, Ram Dass, and Ted Turner. To say Ted Turner commanded attention would be an understatement. He was…