Posts Tagged ‘communication’
Beyond Either/Or: When Leaders Embrace the Power of “And”
Summary: “We’re all in it together, and no one wins unless we all do,” is precisely what leaders need to hear right now. It’s a core theme of Creative Energy Options Inc., and no, it’s not too simplistic. It’s deceptively profound. In a world addicted to binary thinking, right/wrong, win/lose, my way/the highway, let’s cut…
Read MoreGenerational Whiplash: How to Lead When Gen Z Calls the Shots to Reshape the Workforce
Summary: Most leaders over 40 are still figuring out if “ghosting” means disappearing from a project or ignoring emails and texts. In today’s new reality, Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is speaking up to reshape the workforce. Leaders everywhere are feeling the generational whiplash. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am the CEO of a…
Read MoreALPHA MEETS ALPHA: How Strong Leaders Can Thrive Together Without Making People Choose Sides
Summary: It takes practice for two strong-willed individuals to collaborate. Here’s how strong leaders can find common ground, so people dont have to choose one over the other. Dear Dr Sylvia, My colleague and I, both Senior VPs in a fast-moving tech company, are constantly butting heads. We are two strong leaders, and our teams…
Read MoreThis Mother’s Day, Celebrate the GUTSY Women Who Lead, Including You!
Pattern repetition can keep us stuck, but pattern transformation gives us strength. We grew up learning how to fit in and be appropriate. Now is the time to flip those ingrained, outdated patterns and soar. We change when we are brave enough to face the old patterns and say, “No more.” Dear Dr. Sylvia, Yes,…
Read MoreLeadership 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…
Read MoreBite 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…
Read MoreLeadership 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…
Read MoreSibling 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…
Read MoreThe Secret to Strong Leadership: Less Sparkle and More Facts
Summary: How to lead is often more about charisma, clickbait, and influencers than “just the facts, ma’am.”It’s easy to fall under the spell of charm. Whether it’s a smooth-talking executive or a magnetic team member who lights up every meeting, the sparkle often gets more attention than the substance. But for strong leadership—the kind who…
Read MoreThe Power of Clarifying Questions
Transforming Conflict Into Win-Win Solutions Summary: In the heat of a conflict, our natural response is often to judge, blame, or attack (what I call JUBLA), and then we move to the next level, to defend, explain, or justify (DEJ) our position. These are traditional methods in most cultures. Resolving conflict was to punch, jab,…
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