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#42 Stop Chasing Harmony: Why (and How) Leaders Lean into Conflict

Welcome to the 3x5 leadership podcast―a show dedicated to making more intentional leaders regardless of role, rank, or responsibility because we believe that better leaders and build a better world. The reality is, however, that you cannot successfully and sustainably pour into others from an empty cup. So, how do you keep your cup full as a leader? This show aims to help by filling your cup with simple, practical strategies so you can live, lead, and learn more intentionally.

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If you work with people, conflict is unavoidable. If you haven’t experienced it—or think you’ve managed to avoid it—you may want to keep reading to understand what you’re missing… or avoiding. Conflict is challenging, uncomfortable, and often stressful, and depending on how we respond to it (or don’t), it can create even more problems for both leaders and teams.

If conflict could be predicted, prevented, or resolved on its own, we’d eliminate a significant source of stress in our workplaces. But when you understand the roots of conflict, the outcomes it can produce, and the opportunities it presents, you’ll begin to see why avoiding conflict often does more harm than good—and why leaning into it matters.

In this episode, we take a deeper look at why conflict arises no matter where we work, the implications of how it’s handled, and the common mistakes leaders make when trying to navigate it. We’ll help you think through questions like:

  • Why do some people seem to be involved in more conflict than others?
  • As a leader, how does my view and treatment of conflict shape team dynamics?
  • How can I classify, clarify, and resolve conflict in a way that’s productive—without damaging trust?

Our hope is that this episode helps you recognize the opportunity embedded in every conflict—not just to resolve the issue at hand, but to establish a shared framework for how your team approaches conflict moving forward. This kind of shift doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence, courage, and honest leadership, you can build a team that grows stronger—not weaker—each time conflict arises.

Related Episodes

Interested in learning more? Check out these related 3x5 Leadership podcast episodes.

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Until next episode, friends, take care and lead well!