I have found it fascinating over the last few days to watch how leaders evade conflict and use many techniques to do this – pretend they are unaware of it, fire challenging and provocative questions to make the other person back down, circle around the mob like a sheepdog – repeating themselves and “nipping at the ankles of anyone who tries to wander outside of the negotiating area they are creating”.
All this instead of just facing it head on, owning it and labeling it.
Courageous leaders expect, in fact ignite and then embrace conflict – because they know it is essential for true collaboration and innovation.
Tell us about some of your experiences with conflict.
