I used to avoid conflict, thinking I was doing the right thing.
Spoiler: ignoring conflict didn't make it go away—it made it worse.
8 powerful strategies to transform conflict into high-performance - courtesy of my friend Mike Leber:
- The Team Builder
↳ “Let’s figure this out together.”
↳ Result: Builds team synergy - The Perspective Seeker
↳ “Help me understand your side.”
↳ Result: Deepens empathy - The Clarity Finder
↳ “What’s our ultimate goal here?”
↳ Result: Aligns and refocuses priorities - The Trust Nurturer
↳ “That sounds tough - how can I be of help?”
↳ Result: Nurtures trust and care - The Creative Thinker
↳ “Could we try looking at this from a different angle?”
↳ Result: Unlocks new solution possibilities - The Common Grounder
↳ “What do we both agree on?”
↳ Result: Highlights unity - The Listening Champion
↳ “So you’re saying ___. Is that right?”
↳ Result: Enhances understanding - The Solution Collaborator
↳ “What can we do together to resolve this?”
↳ Result: Inspires teamwork and co-ownership
Every conflict holds the power to strengthen relationships.
The words you chose shape the path.
Your approach decides the outcome.
PS: High-performing teams use conflict as fuel to drive the right outcomes.
