Everyone has a default way of handling conflict. Some people avoid it. Some fight immediately. Some shut down. Some try to fix things too quickly. Your conflict style usually develops early in life and follows you into adulthood.
What many people don’t realise is that your conflict style appears both at home and at work. If you avoid conflict at home because you fear tension, you may become overly firm at work to compensate. If you are aggressive at home, you may become silent at work because you fear professional consequences. Your conflict tendencies rarely stay in one place.
Relational leadership encourages constructive conflict. This means addressing issues early, calmly and consistently. You do not wait for resentment to build. You do not explode after too many triggers. You do not withdraw and expect others to guess your feelings.
Taking stock means observing how you respond when something is uncomfortable. Do you avoid? Do you attack? Do you hide? Do you minimise? Or do you engage with clarity?
Healthy conflict strengthens relationships. It removes tension. It clarifies expectations. It builds trust. It protects connection instead of destroying it. The more responsible you become with conflict, the more stable your relationships grow in both personal and professional contexts.
Action Steps for 2026:
- Choose one conflict you will address respectfully this week.
- Follow the 48-hour rule: do not leave issues unresolved longer than two days.