Blogs
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…
When Yelling Erupts at Work
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…
Fear of Losing Your Job: How to Turn Panic into Power
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…
Charisma vs. Emotional Maturity: Why Leaders Need More Than Just Sparkle to Shine
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…
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.…
Leadership by Walking Around : A Classic Practice with a Modern Twist
Tired of Zoom fatigue and Slack pings? Try LBWA (Leadership by Walking around). There’s something refreshingly old-school—and surprisingly effective—about a leader who shows up. It’s time to redo what used to be popular and bring it back. Dear Dr. Sylvia, My mentor is a very successful man who is handing me the keys to take…
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…
When Modern Leaders Are Out of Touch
When Modern Leaders Are Out of Touch: Don’t Be the Nero of Your Workplace History and headlines repeatedly show us what happens when modern leaders lose touch with the very people they are supposed to serve. The result? Low morale, missed opportunities, and, at worst, organizational collapse. One of the most enduring metaphors for detached…
Leadership Development: How Watching A Movie Changed Everything
Summary: The term “out-of-the-box thinking” has been around for decades. Let’s explore how watching a movie offers a unique approach to transforming team conflict into team collaboration. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I grew up in a world where the mantra was “better safe than sorry.” Therefore, risk-taking is not in my toolkit. For example, I lost…
Exploring Perspectives: Leadership Lessons from ‘Rashomon,’ ‘The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,’ and ‘Good American Family’
Summary: Understanding that individuals can have different perspectives of the same event is crucial for effective leadership. This concept is vividly illustrated in Akira Kurosawa’s classic film Rashomon, the Netflix series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, and the recent Good American Family. The narratives delve into the complexities of subjective truth, offering valuable insights…
Sibling Repair as a Leadership Lesson
Summary: Adult sibling relationships often drift apart, influenced by various life circumstances, unresolved childhood conflicts, or differing personal values. However, repairing communication and reconnect can yield profound personal and emotional benefits. Here’s why re-establishing a positive relationship with adult siblings matters, even when a minimal or no relationship currently exists. Dear Dr. Sylvia, As a…
Parents as Leaders: Netflix’s “Adolescence” Reveals the Hidden Stress of Being a Leader at Home
Summary: If you’ve watched Netflix’s Adolescence, you probably felt your heart twist a few times. I know mine did. The show brilliantly captures what it means to come of age in today’s turbulent world. There’s another layer quietly pulsing beneath the surface—the stress of being a leader as you parent your children. Dear Dr. Sylvia,…
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