It happens to the best of us and having the tools to deal with it is very critical.
I had an experience that led to a lot of resentment until I decided to stop and go speak to the person. It ended up being one of the best discussions and we turned into very good colleagues and friends!
Thanks for this Ashley - I recently took leadership classes in school and the ways we learned to work within teams echoes what you're saying. It can be tough to address conflict at work, especially when it's directed at you, but being able to talk about it in a non-confrontational, open way is much better than letting it fester and become something else entirely. As always, I appreciate your expert insights!
Thank you Tina!! I will say if conflict is not something that you enjoy (I do not), I’ve found that it never really gets easy but it definitely gets better. I’m sure I was nervous going into the conversation I referenced, but that’s not what stuck with me. What I remember is the outcome and the fact that I addressed it directly.
So glad this echoes what you learned in your MBA! I have such a soft spot for business school lessons too. I studied business 15+ years ago and I still find myself drawing on those fundamentals all the time.
Agree! I feel much more prepared on how to talk through things now (Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team ftw). I enjoy learning from you and appreciate the great range of workplace topics you cover :)
Great post, Ashley. You clearly bring a lot of practical, lived experience to this. One thing I notice when coaching high performers is that sometimes they become so caught up in winning or losing that they forget it’s also about the relationships. Conflict isn’t just about tactics; it’s also about connection, respect, and trust. Balancing both makes all the difference. Thank you for sharing this.
Yes!! I 100% agree with you re: winning. I was big on wanting to win. or being right for the majority of my career. And it doesn't get you very far. When you center relationships, you'll get so much further. Thank you so much for this comment - great perspective!
My favorite Shonda Rhimes quote: “Freedom lies across the field of the difficult conversation."
Yes - there's so much merit in just airing things out!
Really awesome newsletter! Such great advice!
Thank you so much Madelyn!
Ashley, this is just so excellent as always! Thank you for sharing!
So glad you found it helpful Liva. Thank you for reading!
Such brilliant advice, thank you Ashley.
It happens to the best of us and having the tools to deal with it is very critical.
I had an experience that led to a lot of resentment until I decided to stop and go speak to the person. It ended up being one of the best discussions and we turned into very good colleagues and friends!
That's such a great anecdote Arzu. I'm so glad you two sorted it out and, even better, became friends!
That's such a great anecdote Arzu. I'm so glad you two sorted it out and, even better, became friends!
Thanks for this Ashley - I recently took leadership classes in school and the ways we learned to work within teams echoes what you're saying. It can be tough to address conflict at work, especially when it's directed at you, but being able to talk about it in a non-confrontational, open way is much better than letting it fester and become something else entirely. As always, I appreciate your expert insights!
Thank you Tina!! I will say if conflict is not something that you enjoy (I do not), I’ve found that it never really gets easy but it definitely gets better. I’m sure I was nervous going into the conversation I referenced, but that’s not what stuck with me. What I remember is the outcome and the fact that I addressed it directly.
So glad this echoes what you learned in your MBA! I have such a soft spot for business school lessons too. I studied business 15+ years ago and I still find myself drawing on those fundamentals all the time.
Agree! I feel much more prepared on how to talk through things now (Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team ftw). I enjoy learning from you and appreciate the great range of workplace topics you cover :)
Omg 5 Dysfunctions of a Team - a classic. Thank you as always for reading Tina! ❤️❤️
Great post, Ashley. You clearly bring a lot of practical, lived experience to this. One thing I notice when coaching high performers is that sometimes they become so caught up in winning or losing that they forget it’s also about the relationships. Conflict isn’t just about tactics; it’s also about connection, respect, and trust. Balancing both makes all the difference. Thank you for sharing this.
Yes!! I 100% agree with you re: winning. I was big on wanting to win. or being right for the majority of my career. And it doesn't get you very far. When you center relationships, you'll get so much further. Thank you so much for this comment - great perspective!
Keep writing, Ashley. I look forward to reading more. Thank you.