Conflict Skills

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode explores the essential skillset for anyone who finds themselves in the role of an "accidental mediator," such as managers or HR professionals dealing with workplace conflict. He breaks down six key areas: self-regulation, de-escalation, empathetic listening, coaching (using the GROW model), assertiveness and boundaries, and...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode explores the challenges millennials face when managing Gen Z staff, using a real-life case study to illustrate common issues like communication barriers, differing work norms, and heightened sensitivity to feedback. Simon shares practical conflict resolution strategies, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation, flexible expectatio...

In this episode, host Simon Goode discusses a real-life workplace scenario where someone was accused of racism after referring to a colleague by their skin color during a conversation. He breaks down the layers of workplace conflict, highlighting the roles of value and relationship conflicts, and offers practical advice for self-care and preparation when facing similar accusations. Simon also shar...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode explores the ways people can unintentionally invite unnecessary conflict into their lives, drawing on both personal experiences and the story of a neighbor’s altercation. Simon outlines three main strategies to avoid such conflicts: learning to pause and prioritize, recognizing it's not your job to correct others, and not taking...

In this episode, host Simon Goode introduces the concept of "micro-de-escalation," focusing on subtle gestures and communication techniques to reduce perceived threat and lower the energy in conflict situations. He discusses practical approaches such as using positive body language, appropriate tone of voice, and giving others a sense of autonomy and fairness. The episode offers actionab...

Struggling with conflict between your partner and your best friend? In this episode, I break down a real-life scenario where a heated argument over parenting styles led to lasting tension. I share the five types of apologies, why "getting over it" isn't helpful, and how to focus on practical steps for repairing relationships. Plus, I reveal strategies to navigate value clashes and s...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host and professional mediator Simon Goode explores the five types of conflict that can arise between housemates: relationship, data, interest, values, and structural conflicts. He explains each type with practical examples from shared living situations and offers suggestions for addressing them effectively. The episode aims to provide listeners with...

In this episode, Simon Goode explores how to handle situations where a team member isn’t contributing effectively, specifically when they rely too much on AI tools and submit superficial work. He analyzes the scenario using five types of conflict—relationship, data, interest, values, and structure—to help listeners clarify the underlying issues and choose the best approach. The episode offers prac...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, Simon Goode explores the relationship between grief and conflict, offering practical tools for supporting those experiencing loss and navigating challenging conversations. He discusses common mistakes people make when addressing grief, ways to de-escalate emotional situations, and strategies for maintaining boundaries with empathy and clarity. Simon...

In this episode, Simon Goode breaks down active listening into three levels: building initial connection through body language and basic responses, using coregulation and summarizing to help others feel truly heard, and practicing genuine curiosity to foster reciprocal change in conversations. He shares practical tips, like using open and closed questions, mirroring, and mindful summaries, to impr...

In this episode, Simon Goode explores how we can "digest" conflict experiences by using practical self-regulation techniques in the moment, immediately after, and over the long term. He shares tools like mindful breathing, multisensory walks, journaling, and gratitude exercises to help restore balance and process stressful encounters. Simon emphasizes that everyone's needs are diffe...

Conflict is an inevitable part of life—whether we’re navigating tricky workplace dynamics, strained family relationships, or friction among friends. While resolving the immediate dispute is hard enough, what happens next can be even trickier: how do you pick up the pieces and rebuild trust after things have gone wrong? That’s exactly the challenge Simon Goode, professional mediator and host of the...

In episode 73 of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode discusses the challenges and complexities of being labeled a conflict resolution expert, sharing personal experiences of feeling overwhelmed by conflicts despite training when the situation was calling on resources that weren't available.  Simon explores the unrealistic expectations we often place on ourselves and delves into how...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode shares five tips for managing conflict when you're tired. He discusses how tiredness affects our thoughts, emotions, and behavior, leading to a higher likelihood of conflict, and provides strategies like slowing down, strategically adjusting timing, and self-regulating frequently. Simon also touches on the importance of managing...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, I provide 5 useful tools for individuals who are conflict avoidant, providing strategies to help them manage conflicts more effectively in various relationships. He emphasizes understanding the reasoning behind conflict avoidance, offers coaching tools for team leaders and managers, and highlights techniques like goal clarification and utilizing the...

In today's episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast with host Simon Goode, we dive into the crucial topic of managing emotions during performance management meetings. Simon, a seasoned professional mediator, addresses the challenges often faced in these meetings, especially when conflict escalates. He explores various de-escalation strategies tailored for performance management conversations by...

In this episode, host Simon Goode explores the seven Hermetic principles derived from the teachings of Hermes and how they can be applied to conflict resolution in relationships. He delves into each principle, such as mentalism, correspondence, and vibration, discussing their relevance and offering insights on how these ancient concepts can help individuals understand and influence their interpers...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host and professional mediator, Simon Goode, delves into the art of saying 'no' with confidence and kindness. Reflecting on personal experiences, including morning challenges with his son and client demands at work, Simon explores five practical strategies to effectively communicate a refusal without escalating tension. Whether it's us...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode discusses the cumulative effects of stress on workplace conflict and the interconnection between work and personal life stressors. He highlights how stress can negatively impact our capacity to handle conflict and offers strategies for managing stress, including during and after conflicts, as well as over the long term. Goode also in...

Discover how to handle workplace biases effectively with actionable strategies to strengthen your conflict resolution skills. In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, Simon Goode explores cognitive dissonance, its impact on decision-making, and biases such as confirmation bias, selective exposure, and the ostrich effect. Learn practical techniques for effective communication, fostering coll...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode discusses five online debate tactics that are ineffective when used with friends and family, and offers alternatives for better communication. He emphasises the importance of avoiding aggressive behaviors like interrupting, applying pressure, and using sarcasm, suggesting instead to listen respectfully, reduce pressure, and acknowled...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, Simon Goode discusses his approach to analyzing workplace conflict, emphasizing the importance of understanding the self and the interplay of thoughts, feelings, perceptions, behaviors, and the body. He explains the framework he uses for conflict resolution, which includes self-regulation, de-escalation, understanding structural elements, and address...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode delves into a neighborhood dispute between Kevin and Jim over speeding in a residential area. Through a case study, Simon explores the underlying causes of the conflict, offers mediation tips, and stresses the importance of fostering a collaborative, future-focused dialogue. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, leave reviews, and s...

In this episode of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode delves into managing ADHD in the workplace. The discussion is structured around understanding ADHD symptoms, identifying triggers, and implementing effective strategies for managers and team leaders. Simon highlights the need for a balanced approach in providing support and maintaining workplace standards, while also offering practic...

In Episode 62 of the Conflict Skills Podcast, host Simon Goode delves into the complexities of "moving on" from conflicts, offering insights inspired by a listener's review about unresolved workplace issues. The episode explores the nuances of understanding individual perspectives on resolution, breaking down five types of apologies, and emphasizing the significance of trust and min...