Posts Tagged ‘communication’
Telling the Truth: Not for Wimps
Summary: Why is telling the truth so darn hard? Why is it even worse to speak truth to power? It’s about the words and especially about the timing. Here are some ways to make truth-telling more effective. So much information, so much confusion. Who do you believe? Which media outlets are pushing out fake news…
Read MoreWhat YOU Can Do If Your Direct Reports Hate Your Guts!
Summary: “I hate my boss” is a common comment in most workplaces. How do you know if you fit the category? Here’s the litmus test. Being a Boss Means YOU Must Handle Conflict at Work You’ve received a promotion. Congrats. You feel confident and ready for the challenge. That is to say, you’re now the…
Read MoreAre YOU a Liar? From Fibs to Fraud, Which Type Are YOU?
Summary: There are many reasons people lie to each other and also to themselves. Read on to see which category is a fit for you. Then decide what you want to change. It starts, for all of us, when we are very young. From childhood, who remembers that chant: “Who took the cookies from the…
Read More4 Ways To Fix What Breaks (A Band-aid Is NOT Enough)
Summary: How can you create a winning situation when it looks like you unintentionally set it up to lose. This is about leadership under pressure. And, in these complex times, pressure is all the time. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Well, it finally happened! And it has been awful, horrible, and over the top frustrating. My whole…
Read More4 Distinct Ways to Look at Difficult People You Work With From a New Perspective
Summary: How do you deal with people who drive you nuts at work? Do you complain to HR or ignore them? I agree that Work is NOT a Rehab Facility. There are better ways to keep your staff positive besides just firing those with whom you don’t get along. How leaders handle conflict is a…
Read MoreLeadership Strategies: When is it better to make waves and say NO?
Summary: Saying NO often causes extreme stress. It is one of the essential words in any language. Here are practical communication skills that keep you strong when NO is the correct response. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I have so much trouble saying no. I don’t like to upset the apple cart, rock the boat, be unpopular.…
Read MoreSpeaking Truth to Power
Summary: How do you stand for what you believe is right and be heard? Speaking truth to power takes courage and determination. Here are some thoughts to consider when you make your own decision. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I built a remarkable career over the past 15 years. I was considered a high potential emerging leader,…
Read MoreI’m Not Pattern Blind
Summary: Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are essential aspects of high-level positive communication. Here are some ideas to help you be the best leader you can be. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I’ve heard you talk about “Pattern Blindness” in the same sentence as “Speaking the Unspeakable.” Can you say more, please? In addition, you also talk about…
Read MoreFreudian Slips Are NOT Something Women Wear
Summary: Did you ever wonder why you want to yell out something that can be embarrassing? It stems from your subconscious. Here is what happens when you think, “What made me think/say THAT!” Dear Dr. Sylvia, I had an awful thing happen to me when I was talking with my boss last week. He was…
Read MoreLeadership in a Time of Incivility
Watching the service for John Lewis got me thinking. About civil rights, about politics, about funerals, and mostly about civility. That’s something we have lost in our country. Not only civility, even more, but we have also lost the dream of the United States. Why are we so fragmented today? Why are so many people…
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