Tyler Perry, Leadership, and Generational Forgiveness 

Paper broken heart sewn with needle and thread - Love troubles concept

Summary: Role models come from many walks of life. What really matters is how those you respect handle difficult situations. That is a gold standard for all leadership coaching programs. Here is one leader who stands out. Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I know in your leadership coaching program you have a process called Sankofa Mapping. I…

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How to Manage Anger at Work, Home, Everywhere 

An illustration and artwork describing anger management

Summary: What do you do when anger boils over into your relationships? Do you walk away from angry confrontations with ease and grace? Perhaps you are left with hurt feelings, emotional scars, or physical ills. Here are ways to control anger before it becomes a tsunami.   Dear Dr. Sylvia,  These days fill with tension and…

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4 Mistakes Leaders Make That Cause Stress to Boil Over 

two stressed persons

Summary: Too much stress is self-induced and comes from how we react to change. While the change won’t stop, how you respond can make a difference. While I know this is a fundamental concept, here are ways to look at your responses in a different light.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I’ll make this short and sweet.…

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How to Reduce Stress at Work: Avoid Toxic Social Narcissists  

A silhouette artwork and illustration of a walking man with crown

Summary: We live with fake news, general rancor, sizzle and sparkle, slander, and superficiality. As leaders, you must look at the information you receive more intently. Here are ways to judge if someone is here to help or hinder long-term success.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I watched a recent 60 Minutes segment that was chilling. It…

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5 Ways to Handle Stress at Work and Become Resilient

a man moving toward his goal

Summary: When tough times happen, it’s easy to pull the covers over your head and stuff down the upset or go to the other extreme and shout it out. A powerful way to drop the doldrums and be courageous is often finding courage from others. Dear Dr. Sylvia, Between the heat, the unrelenting virus, and…

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Leadership Lessons: When Hidden Emotions Show Up

a flyer with group of diverse people smiling and posing

Summary: The emotions underneath leadership decisions are often ignored. Learning to read your specific personal concerns and upsets can lead to more effective leadership moving forward.  Dear Dr. Sylvia,  I cannot watch the news anymore without a knot in my stomach. When I see the fires roar around the world and the guns destroy lives,…

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What Happens to Women Leaders When They Tell The Truth?

Artwork and illustrations of different women leaders

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…

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We All Tell Lies, Which Type of Liar Are You? 

I must not tell lies written over and over again in a notebook

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…

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The Benefits of A Difficult Conversation

an artwork of an elephant with six people in a room

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…

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