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.…

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Breaking the Cycle: How Patterns Shape Workplace Tension

Breaking the cycle of emotional patterns

Lisa’s response to Greg wasn’t just a moment of emotional intelligence—it was a shift in a long-standing workplace pattern. If she had reacted with defensiveness, their conflict would have deepened, reinforcing a cycle of hostility. Instead, by stepping back and choosing curiosity over combat, she disrupted the dynamic. This is what pattern awareness is all…

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How Fires, Floods, and Wars Impact “Safe Zones”

People sticking together in safe zones

The Illusions of Safety: How Fires, Floods, and Wars Impact the Daily Lives of Those in “Safe Zones” Summary: No one is truly untouched in a world increasingly defined by its challenges—climate change, wildfires, droughts, and conflicts. While some regions experience these crises firsthand, others may seem to exist in “safe zones.” Yet, the ripple…

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Nurturing Success: Ways to Foster Effective Group Dynamics in Your Team

A group of people that are sitting around a table

Summary: Successful group dynamics are the bedrock for high-performing teams. Here are critical strategies to transform a group into a cohesive and productive team, from communication and trust-building to conflict resolution and goal alignment. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Firstly, I know effective group dynamics are essential for any team striving to achieve its goals. A team…

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Conflict Competence: The Answer to Your Stress

Creative Energy Options

Stressed out? Conflict competence is the solution. Read on to learn more… Dear Dr Sylvia,   I have a question. I need more than just a simple answer.  Therefore, what I am asking for is a solution.  Further, I need an action plan.  As a result, if you can do that, I will follow you forever.  To clarify, let me say,…

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Why is My Boss Acting Like a Baby?

Creative Energy Options

Dear Dr. Sylvia, Do you remember the popular song from “My Fair Lady?†The one with the following words “Why can’t a woman be more like a man? â€It goes on and on about male superiority. Above all, it really seems a bit old-fashioned these days when women are gaining strength at work, at home,…

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Can You Detox a Terrible Situation at Work?

Creative Energy Options

Summary: When teams divide into “for” and “against” camps, work suffers. Here is a suggestion to have team collaboration and more productivity. Without collaboration there is limited creativity and lower productivity. Dear Dr. Sylvia, The past months have been like living in an extra awful, super-hot hell. I know I shouldn’t complain because my staff…

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