Ep. 17: Part 3 Conflict Mastery - Say What You Mean Without Starting a War: Communication Skills That Are Game Changers

In this episode of 'The Unstressed Exec,' Dr. George Vergolias, an executive and resilience coach and forensic psychologist, dives into part three of the Conflict Mastery series, focusing on communication.   He emphasizes the importance of expressing truth clearly and assertively without escalating into conflict. Dr. Vergolias discusses the 'Four Horsemen of Communication' identified by the Gottmans: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling, and how to replace these with positive habits. He also describes the importance of moving from passive or aggressive communication styles to assertive communication, using tools like the 'I Statement' formula and active listening to foster better understanding.   Additionally, Dr. Vergolias provides strategies for repairing communication breakdowns and handling high-conflict conversations with extra care. Key takeaways include the importance of training in communication skills, replacing negative habits with positive ones, and prioritizing repair over perfection in relationships. 00:00 Introduction to Conflict Mastery 01:48 Understanding Communication Breakdown 01:55 The Four Horsemen of Communication 02:53 Replacing Negative Habits 03:36 Assertive Communication Styles 05:42 Using 'I' Statements Effectively 07:41 The Power of Listening 11:04 Repairing Broken Communication 12:40 Handling High Conflict Conversations 17:23 Key Takeaways and Conclusion   About the Host – The Unstressed Exec Meet Dr. George Vergolias — a clinical and forensic corporate psychologist turned executive coach with 20+ years at the intersection of leadership, mental resilience, and high performance. George has advised Fortune 500 companies, guided C-suite leaders through crisis, and coached high-achievers to reclaim clarity, calm, and purpose without losing their edge. On The Unstressed Exec, George brings powerful insights from the boardroom to the mic — helping leaders navigate stress, burnout, conflict, and transformation with practical tools and no-BS wisdom. If you're ready to lead with strength and sanity, tune in. And when you're ready to go deeper, reach out for one-on-one executive or leadership coaching. This isn’t therapy — it’s your next level. Let’s build the life and leadership you actually want. 🎯 Listen. Grow. Lead — at The Unstressed Exec 📩 Stay Connected: Website: www.theunstressedexec.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.unstressed.exec TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.unstressed.exec Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.unstressed.exec YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Unstressed_Exec If you like The Unstressed Exec podcast please leave me a review and rate! For more info on my coaching services, keynote speaking and guest speaker/podcast opportunities, please visit my website at: www.theunstressedexec.com