The Conflict Zombie: Why Conflict Turns You Into Someone Else
Same fight, different costume? Why conflict turns us into zombies, and how to spot your conflict patterns before they run you.
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Tag Archives: communication
How to Give Difficult Feedback at Work Without Damaging the Relationship
I have put together a simple, practical guide on exactly how to approach these conversations with confidence and care. Read the full article below to learn how to change your approach today.
Read moreWhy Narcissistic Leaders Hate Remote Work (And What That Means for You)
New research from Wharton confirms it: narcissistic leaders resist remote work to protect their power and status. A conflict expert explains what’s really going on, and how to protect yourself.
Read moreThe Difference Between Confidence and Narcissism at Work
You know the person. They walk into a room and command it. They speak with certainty, take the lead in meetings, and seem to know exactly how things should be done. On paper, they look like everything a confident professional should be. But something feels off. Colleagues are walking on eggshells. Credit for team achievements somehow always ends up with
Read moreConflict With a Narcissist: How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Losing Yourself
Conflict with a narcissist can feel unlike any other disagreement. Conversations that begin with a simple concern can quickly become circular, emotionally draining, and confusing. You may find yourself questioning your own perception of events, repeatedly explaining yourself, or leaving the conversation feeling worse than when it started. One of the most common misconceptions about conflict with a narcissist is
Read moreDifficult Conversations at Work: Why I Created a Practical Workplace Communication Workbook
Difficult conversations at work are something most professionals experience, yet very few people are ever properly taught how to navigate them. Whether it is tension with a co-founder, frustration with an employee, communication breakdown within a team, or unresolved workplace conflict that slowly builds over time, many people approach difficult workplace conversations feeling anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, or unsure how to
Read moreGaslighting at Work: When Conflict Becomes Distortion
Workplace conflict can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and emotionally draining. However, some forms of conflict feel particularly destabilising because they create confusion rather than clarity. This is often what people are describing when they talk about gaslighting at work. You may leave conversations questioning your memory, doubting your judgement, or wondering whether you have misunderstood what happened. A straightforward disagreement suddenly
Read moreEmployment Tribunal Lessons: What Employees and Managers Need to Learn About Workplace Conflict
There is something uniquely clarifying about sitting on an employment tribunal. You see workplace conflict at its most entrenched stage, when positions are fixed and relationships feel beyond repair. During my time as a panel member at the United Nations, one thing became clear. Most disputes do not begin as complex legal issues. They begin as everyday workplace tensions that
Read moreExpressing Disagreement Professionally: How to Speak Up Without Damaging Relationships
Why Expressing Disagreement Professionally Matters Expressing disagreement professionally is one of the most underrated skills in both the workplace and online spaces. Done well, it builds credibility, strengthens relationships, and creates better outcomes. Done poorly, it can damage trust, escalate conflict, and leave lasting reputational scars. I’ve lost count of the number of people who come to me after a
Read moreLosing Your Temper in an Argument: Why Cooling Down is the Smartest Move in Conflict
Losing your temper in an argument is one of the fastest ways to derail a conversation and damage a relationship, whether at home or in the workplace. In the heat of the moment, it can feel justified, even necessary, to express everything you’re feeling. But high emotional intensity escalates conflict, clouds judgment, and often leaves lasting consequences that are difficult
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