In the latest episode of the Healthcare Leadership Excellence podcast, I sit down with conflict resolution expert DeVere Sheesely. We discuss the challenges leaders face when managing conflict within their teams, especially in healthcare, where personal dynamics and high stakes often clash. DeVere emphasizes the importance of "soft skills" like building trust and open communication, highlighting how crucial they are for effective leadership in conflict situations.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation is the power of active listening and genuine curiosity. These two skills may seem simple, but as DeVere explains, they’re tough to master and even harder to consistently practice.

DeVere also introduces a powerful idea: when mediating conflicts, the real "client" is the relationship between the people involved, not just the individuals. This shift in perspective allows us, as leaders, to focus on improving the dynamics between people, clarifying their roles, and fostering stronger, more productive interactions—rather than just addressing individual issues.

We also touch on common conflict patterns like violated expectations, feelings of victimhood, and the tendency to vilify others. DeVere shares strategies for handling these, such as making expectations clear upfront, managing emotional reactions, and reframing situations to help both parties find common ground. We, as leaders, can prevent conflicts from escalating by recognizing these red flags early and controlling our emotions.

Thanks, DeVere for this superb episode on conflict resolution!

Resources:

• Questions Are the Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life
• A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas
• The Book of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead
• In-Accord Website
• https://www.inaccordnw.com/resources/infree-resources/

Check out more episodes here.

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