Posts

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The Splitter: How One Toxic Personality Can Lead to Absenteeism, Lawsuits, and Lower Productivity in Your Organization

By Sylvia Lafair / September 2, 2024 / Comments Off on The Splitter: How One Toxic Personality Can Lead to Absenteeism, Lawsuits, and Lower Productivity in Your Organization

Summary: When someone pits people against each other everyone loses. In any organization, the presence of a “Splitter” can wreak havoc, leading to a cascade of issues, including increased absenteeism, costly lawsuits, and low productivity. Understanding this destructive behavior is crucial for leaders who want to maintain a healthy workplace. Here we delve into the…

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Celebrating Success: The Empowerment of Women Tooting Their Own Horns

By Sylvia Lafair / February 7, 2024 / Comments Off on Celebrating Success: The Empowerment of Women Tooting Their Own Horns

Summary: The world is increasingly recognizing the achievements of women in various fields. Thus, there is a growing need for women to take charge of their stories and proudly share their successes. Dear All, Today, I am celebrating my achievements as an executive and leadership coach. Once again, I have been named on the Top…

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A cartoon-style hand pointing outward through torn paper, symbolizing authority and self-awareness in sounding like my parents at work.

Help! I Sound Just Like My Parents at Work

By Sylvia Lafair / November 6, 2025 /

Summary: You know that moment. You open your mouth, and your mother or father comes out.“Do you think we’re made of money?” or “Turn off the lights; we’re not paying to illuminate the city.” Then,“Because I said so, that’s why!” It happens all the time. Here’s why and what to do about it. Dear Dr.…

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Glimmers, Leadership, and Alignment: The New Trifecta for Whole-Person Leadership

By Sylvia Lafair / November 4, 2025 /

Summary: We all know what triggers feel like, those moments when something small sets off a big emotional storm.But what about the opposite? What about the micro-moments that bring you back to yourself? Here’s how head, heart, and gut coherence can turn ordinary leadership into something extraordinary. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am dedicated to helping…

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When Pushing Boundaries Feels Like a Battle (But You Know It’s Right)

By Sylvia Lafair / October 30, 2025 /

Summary: Every leader who has ever driven meaningful change knows this moment: you’re pushing forward, stretching the system, and the resistance hits like a wall. It’s not subtle. You can feel it in the silence after you speak, in the sideways glances, in the sudden reappearance of “that’s not how we’ve always done it. And…

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What to Do When You Feel Disconnected From Your Team at Work

By Sylvia Lafair / October 28, 2025 /

Summary: Even in the most collaborative workplaces, it’s natural to go through periods when you feel disconnected from your team. Maybe everyone’s working remotely, or priorities have shifted, or you’re just not clicking the way you used to. Whatever the reason, disconnection doesn’t have to last forever. Here’s how to reconnect with your colleagues, your…

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A professional man juggling glowing orbs symbolizing hypervigilance at work, set against a futuristic background of digital data and analytics.

The Martyr at Work: How Childhood Hypervigilance Shapes Adult Professional Behavior

By Sylvia Lafair / October 23, 2025 /

Summary: Many people grow up in unpredictable homes, where moods shift without warning, where you have to “read the room” to stay safe. In those environments, children often learn hypervigilance: a heightened awareness of potential threats, emotional cues, or shifts in tone. It’s a survival strategy that keeps individuals alert and adaptable. Dear Dr. Sylvia,…

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Are You a Pleaser or Rescuer? Yes, They Are Different

By Sylvia Lafair / October 21, 2025 / Comments Off on Are You a Pleaser or Rescuer? Yes, They Are Different

Summary: Most people who’ve worked with me know that I often trace workplace behavior back to family dynamics. It’s not about blame. It’s about awareness, recognizing how the lessons we learned at home subtly influence our leadership, communication, and relationships. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I always thought I was, like most women, a pleaser. I was…

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Why So Many People Drink Too Much at Work Offsites and Holiday Parties: And What It Really Says About Culture

By Sylvia Lafair / October 15, 2025 / Comments Off on Why So Many People Drink Too Much at Work Offsites and Holiday Parties: And What It Really Says About Culture

Summary: In my work studying patterns of behavior, I’ve learned that culture isn’t built in Executive Leadership meetings; it’s revealed by what happens after hours. Offsites don’t just show how we celebrate; they show what we avoid. Here are some thoughts to consider as we prepare for the holiday season. Dear Dr. Sylvia, I am…

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Listen for the Glimmers: Go Past Burnout and Resentment by Offering Ways to Reconnect Head, Heart, and Gut

By Sylvia Lafair / October 12, 2025 / Comments Off on Listen for the Glimmers: Go Past Burnout and Resentment by Offering Ways to Reconnect Head, Heart, and Gut

Summary: Resentment and burnout are not simply emotional states; they are physiological signals that a person has been living in chronic misalignment. The brain spins with overanalysis (head), the heart closes off in self-protection (heart), and the gut tightens, warning that something feels “off” (gut). This disconnection often results from prolonged stress, people-pleasing, or purpose…

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The Ugly Middle: When Conflict Gets Messy (and What to Do About It)

By Sylvia Lafair / October 9, 2025 / Comments Off on The Ugly Middle: When Conflict Gets Messy (and What to Do About It)

Summary: Every leader wants conflict resolution to occur as quickly as possible. Few are prepared for the ugly middle, where things get confusing. Here’s how to stay grounded when you feel frustrated and hopeless. Dear Dr. Sylvia, The entire world seems to be fighting all the time. There is no middle ground. I often feel…

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How Seasoned Leaders Can Help Emerging Leaders Become Their Best

By Sylvia Lafair / October 6, 2025 / Comments Off on How Seasoned Leaders Can Help Emerging Leaders Become Their Best

Summary: If you’ve led for a long time, you eventually realize leadership isn’t about staying in front; it’s about walking alongside. The most incredible legacy any long-standing leader can leave is not a list of accomplishments, but a new generation of leaders who’ve learned how to think, decide, and lead well because of your influence.…

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