At London Speech Workshop, we believe conflict isn’t something to fear – it’s something to understand, navigate, and, ultimately, grow from.
In our recent webinar on Navigating Conflict With Grace, four brilliant speakers came together to explore how we can handle tension, frustration and disagreement without losing connection or clarity.
From the negotiation table to the boardroom, from team dynamics to personal triggers – here are the top 8 practical tips, shared by our panel. Two from each speaker, every one grounded in experience and insight…
1. Don’t Assume – Get Curious
If you find yourself making internal judgments, pause and ask a clarifying question. Swap assumption for inquiry:
“Assumptions are where conflict goes sideways. We think we know what someone means, but we’re usually filtering through our own version of reality. Curiosity is the antidote.” – Karleen Savage
2. Practice the Power of the Pause
Conflict often escalates when we speak reactively. The pause is a micro-reset that keeps the conversation constructive:
“Count to three before you respond. It feels awkward, but that pause lets you reset, gather yourself, and gives others space to reveal more.” – Leslie Nydick
3. Use Everyday Conflict to Build the Muscle
Whether it’s choosing a restaurant or brainstorming with your team, those daily moments are training grounds for tougher conversations:
“Conflict isn’t just the big, emotional moments – it’s any difference of opinion. Use those small moments to practise staying calm, curious, and collaborative.” – Dr Lindy Greer
4. Use the Five Perspectives Tool
This London Speech Workshop tool guides you toward non-defensive, emotionally intelligent communication:
“Avoid the ‘I’m right, you’re wrong’ mindset. Step into ‘I observe, I feel, I’m curious.’ This creates equality and mutual respect.” – Emma Serlin
5. Lead With a Kind One-Liner
This disarms defensiveness and signals that you’re coming from a place of respect – not attack:
“Before you address a hard topic, say something kind and grounding. A sentence like, ‘Your work is really valuable here’ can soften the space and create emotional safety.” – Karleen Savage
6. Ask Open Questions, Avoid the ‘Why’
Instead of “Why did you do that?”, try “What led you to that decision?” It opens dialogue rather than triggering defensiveness:
“Start with ‘how’ or ‘what.’ Avoid ‘why’ at the beginning – it can put people on the defensive.” – Leslie Nydick
7. Plan Ahead – Especially for Difficult Conversations
Before a challenging conversation, ask: What’s my intention? What’s the other person’s likely perspective? What language will invite – not inflame?
“High-performing teams prepare for conflict. They create space for it through structured feedback, rotating devil’s advocates, or simply setting expectations upfront.” – Dr Lindy Greer
8. Be an Advocate for Both Sides
When you show up with self-respect and empathy in equal measure, you transform conflict into connection:
“Navigating conflict with grace means advocating for your own needs and the other person’s. That’s where the alchemy happens.” – Emma Serlin
Final Thoughts
Conflict is inevitable – but suffering through it isn’t. With the right tools, mindset and intention, you can turn difficult conversations into meaningful turning points.
These 8 tools offer a starting point for building your conflict confidence – whether at work, at home, or within yourself.
Ready to Go Deeper?
At London Speech Workshop, we specialise in helping people develop clear, authentic and courageous communication – especially in high-stakes situations.
If you’d like to explore 1:1 communication coaching, why not Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call with one of our team and see how we could support your communication journey.
For team training, you can book a Consultation call in with our B2B team here.
And make sure to connect with our speakers to keep the conversation going:
- Connect with Emma Serlin on LinkedIn and learn more about London Speech Workshop
- Connect with Karleen Savage and explore her trailblazing Savage Theory of Resolution®
- Connect with Leslie Nydick and explore her work as The Conflict Strategist
- Connect with Lindy Greer and learn more about Michigan Ross
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