Blogs
What Happens to Women Leaders When They Tell The Truth?
Summary: There is always a risk to telling the truth. Is it more difficult for women to speak up? Most research says “yes.” Here is a way to be clear, heard, and respected. Dear Dr. Sylvia, As a leader, I know I must give difficult feedback to my team. However, I have not mastered “the way” to…
We All Tell Lies, Which Type of Liar Are You?
Summary: We have all heard “the truth shall set you free,”; yet, lying is a daily occurrence. Read on to see which pattern, from fibs to fraud, fits your personality and, more importantly, what to do about it. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I don’t know who to believe anymore. When I ask my direct reports about…
The Benefits of A Difficult Conversation
Summary: If being judged makes you uncomfortable, here are some ways to structure a feedback session for success. Who do you think has the most challenging time with feedback? Is it the giver or the receiver? Most leadership development programs focus on how the giver, the leader, discusses feedback with the receiver, the employee. The…
How to Be In Charge of Stress NOT Just Cope
Summary: I did a survey asking the following question: What are your usual coping mechanisms? Here are new ways to cope with today’s stress. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Is the world moving faster? Perhaps it’s just me? Nah, I understand that we have more technology to give us information at warp speed. Thus, we know more…
Here’s What Success at Work Looks Like During Difficult Times
Summary: How do you stay true to your core values when everything is out of focus? Dear Dr. Sylvia, How do you ever know when enough is enough? I mean, enough in every sense of the word. For example, when is there enough money in the bank? Or when there is enough food in the…
Case Study for Leadership Development and Team Collaboration
Summary: Here’s how to tell the truth at work; encourage openness and collaboration rather than defensiveness for successful team development. Dear Dr. Sylvia, We are now back in the office three days a week and working from home for two days. It certainly is changing the dynamic of how people behave with each other. Sadly,…
Peace Tools NOT Pistols (or any other weapons of destruction)
Summary: It is critical to look “upriver” to solve the polarization and violence we are now seeing at work, at home, and in our communities. Dear … I am getting so many questions from leaders and emerging leaders about the polarization of our society and the number of attacks on innocent people that I want…
How Leaders Can Move Past “Survival of the Fittest” to “Survive and Be Fit”
Summary: External forces keep us on our toes, ready to react. Here we discuss the hidden reasons for why we respond as we do. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’ll cut right to the chase. Time is going by, and I am frustrated and worried. I am a 47-year-old healthy male who is the CFO of a…
Here’s How To Identify and Cope With Stress Now and Forever!
Summary: Are you looking for stress relief? Is your stress higher at work or at home? Here is how to cope with stress and help those around you benefit. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Even though I don’t know Will Smith, I keep getting a whack on the side of my head! At least, it’s only figuratively. …
Leadership Education and Transformation: Is Change Worth the Effort Or Not?
Summary: Transformation is in vogue right now. Here are ideas to help you decide what to decide. Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am a Senior Vice President of a very successful retail furniture company. However, I have lost my mojo. I want to quit and…
Your BOSS Is NOT Your MOTHER
Summary: Do you know that many bosses can be seen as work- mothers? It’s universal and essential to realize this is a complex role that gets in the way of long-term success. Here are some ideas to ponder. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have a mother; of course, we all do! I am also a mother…
Leadership Skills to Stop the Maddening Communication from Mixed Messages
Summary: When stress gets high, mixed messages go even higher. Here are some ways to stay in the “safe stress zone” when you get inconsistent and unclear messages. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am an intelligent vice president at a very sophisticated marketing company. I guess I shouldn’t brag. However, it’s the truth. Most importantly, I…