Great leaders view conflict as a positive. They value the art of passionately debating, challenging each person’s perspectives and assumptions, and wrestling with all the angles of a difficult situation. 

Great leaders don’t view conflict as personal, it doesn’t involve judging one another’s ideas and it doesn’t leave a lingering resentment of others, or negative energy. 

How about you? How do you view conflict at work?

This post is here to offer you some conscious and intentional communications training to help build your EQ muscles. Try this exercise to help you prepare for and lean into your next difficult conversation with a goal of mutual understanding and connection.

When confronted by a difficult conversation, frustrating email, or challenging personality at work how do you respond? Are you calm, present, and regulated, or do you tend to lose control and rule with an iron fist?

If the switch from reacting emotionally to staying present and balanced is harder for you, you aren’t alone. Don’t be discouraged if you need some help working through your default programming, it’s likely had a hold of you since childhood.

He viewed his team as unproductive and selfish. Always wanting to discuss their needs and wants. Identifying problems. Bringing them to him to solve. All while the company struggled financially and he grappled with how best to right the ship. He just wished they would come to him with answers. A thoughtful plan offering productive steps forward. Carry their weight. Earn their pay.