Doug NollI'm called in when human dynamics are getting in the way of strategic leadership execution.

How to Handle Conflict at Work in Under 60 Seconds

29 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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Doug Noll shows how a company leader defused tension with her defensive board by listening and validating their emotions instead of defending herself. One technique shifted the whole dynamic from hostile to productive.

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This is the best and simplest guide for handling conflict at work you'll ever hear. Let me share a real example. One of my clients, who was a successful company leader, was facing rising tensions with her board members because they felt ignored and uninvolved. And once they called a meeting for it, the room became completely tense. Both sides were defensive and unwilling to listen. But before things could worsen, the leader used this one simple technique to help ease the tension. Instead of defending herself, she listened to the emotions of the board members, and before anybody could realize As the tension in the room faded and everyone felt validated and at ease. Comment conflict if you want to know the exact framework that helped her.