PodParley PodParley

Finding Opportunity in Team Conflict with Sue Dyer

An episode of the Do Well & Do Good podcast, hosted by Dorothy Illson, titled "Finding Opportunity in Team Conflict with Sue Dyer" was published on July 15, 2019 and runs 31 minutes.

July 15, 2019 ·31m · Do Well & Do Good

0:00 / 0:00

My guest this week is Sue Dyer. Sue has been a leader in the construction industry for over 30 years. That industry is one known for being rife with conflict among stakeholders working on projects in the 8, 9, or even 10 figure ranges. Cleaning up that conflict is Sue’s life’s work. Through her company, OrgMetrics, and supported by her podcast, Construction Dream Team, she is working to change the culture of construction from combative to collaborative. She has served as Executive Director for 10 different construction trade associations, and founded two 501 c3 nonprofits.During her interview Sue tells us how she adapted a positive money mindset at a young age, how she came to be in the construction industry, and stories from her early triumphs leading trade associations. She then dives into conflict resolution, and explains the things she has learned and what her consulting organization preaches to get results and change the construction industry.  Places to Find Sue:On LinkedIn @SueDyerPodcast – Construction Dream Team Show Notes:[3:30] minute: What was the mindset around money and success that was instilled in you as a child?Grew up middle class with parents who had lived very different lives; she was able to learn from both types of circumstances and both types of mindsets.First job before high school, graduated high school a year early, and bought her first house at age 20. “I know I can create it, and I know I can control it.”[5:30] minute: So tell me the story of how you got into the construction industry?Had construction and development in her family history, so she always loved it.Opportunity came to be executive director of a construction trade organization in California.It was near bankruptcy, but Sue got them in the black within three months. Had to change the culture; had to convince different construction groups that beating each other wasn’t the answer and they should be working together instead.Used this as a launching pad that eventually led to her consulting agency.[11:30] minute: How does the collaboration play into your consulting work now, what are you doing for these firms?Engage the owner, designer, and contractor to make an executive team that will commit to being successful. Using group set goals with tracking mechanisms for progress. Working to get alignment across the organization; reduce complexity.[16:15] minute: That co-creation seems key to getting buy-in from people, would you agree?People don’t argue with what they helped to create.Have to be a part of the creation to get them to buy in fully.[17:00] minute: How should entrepreneurs approach conflict within their team?Non-adversarial. Use the Aikido approach.[19:00] minute: When you have a team with big personalities and ideas people, communication can be a big problem, so how can we communicate better to avoid these conflict within teams?Don’t be so inwardly focused, look outward. A lot of the conflict comes from that internal focus.Some conflict is glorious conflict, it’s necessary. [21:20] minute: Where is the opportunity in conflict?If you don’t judge it as being bad then it will push you to somewhere an opportunity is open, and you never would have seen it before.Transform any conflict into opportunity based on how you approach it.[24:30] minute: I came across an article you wrote and one of the points that stuck out to me was you said in conflict it is always personal, can you expand on that?Whatever the conflict is about, it isn’t really about. It’s ALWAYS about something personal related to what has happened.Too often people want to make people wrong. The truth is that they are probably right, and they are right from their perspective, but we are not willing to listen to their perspective to see that they are right. [27:15] minute: Any final tips around dealing with conflict and different personalities for our listeners?Don’t judge conflict too quickly. There is a hidden possibility, make sure to wait and see it. Do Well & Do Good Challenge Nominee:International Partnering InstituteWebsite | Web Description:The International Partnering Institute (IPI) is a member-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit.Comprised of more than 150 member organizations, we serve Owners, CM Firms, Designers, Contractors, and Facilitators. Our mission is to transform the construction industry to achieve exceptional results through a culture of collaboration.IPI Provides the Following:Education: We bring the Construction Partnering model to new agencies, organizations, and academic institutions to broaden their understanding of Construction Partnering as a means to improve construction project outcomes. Our regular virtual forums engage members with innovative topics on Construction Partnering.Research and Development: We conduct research to increase the body of knowledge on Construction Partnering and develop tools that the industry can use to improve project delivery.Recognition: We recognize teams who achieve exceptional outcomes through Construction Partnering by highlighting their success stories in our newsletter and Partnering Magazine and by honoring them at our Annual IPI Partnering Awards Ceremony.Guidance: We guide our members by connecting them with a network of mentors, and by providing them access to research and other resources.Facilitator Certification and Professional Development: We certify the experience of facilitators who demonstrate their qualifications and knowledge of Construction Partnering. We also provide a forum for professional development to improve standards of practice in Construction Partnering.Where to Find Dorothy:Visit Do Well and Do Good’s free Facebook community here and arrange a one-on-one with Dorothy herself!Follow Dorothy on Instagram @dorothyillson to keep up with the latest Do Well & Do Good news! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week is Sue Dyer. Sue has been a leader in the construction industry for over 30 years. That industry is one known for being rife with conflict among stakeholders working on projects in the 8, 9, or even 10 figure ranges. Cleaning up that conflict is Sue’s life’s work. Through her company, OrgMetrics, and supported by her podcast, Construction Dream Team, she is working to change the culture of construction from combative to collaborative. She has served as Executive Director for 10 different construction trade associations, and founded two 501 c3 nonprofits.

During her interview Sue tells us how she adapted a positive money mindset at a young age, how she came to be in the construction industry, and stories from her early triumphs leading trade associations. She then dives into conflict resolution, and explains the things she has learned and what her consulting organization preaches to get results and change the construction industry.

 

Places to Find Sue:

On LinkedIn @SueDyer

Podcast – Construction Dream Team

 

Show Notes:

[3:30] minute: What was the mindset around money and success that was instilled in you as a child?

  • Grew up middle class with parents who had lived very different lives; she was able to learn from both types of circumstances and both types of mindsets.
  • First job before high school, graduated high school a year early, and bought her first house at age 20. 
  • “I know I can create it, and I know I can control it.”

[5:30] minute: So tell me the story of how you got into the construction industry?

  • Had construction and development in her family history, so she always loved it.
  • Opportunity came to be executive director of a construction trade organization in California.
  • It was near bankruptcy, but Sue got them in the black within three months. 
  • Had to change the culture; had to convince different construction groups that beating each other wasn’t the answer and they should be working together instead.
  • Used this as a launching pad that eventually led to her consulting agency.

[11:30] minute: How does the collaboration play into your consulting work now, what are you doing for these firms?

  • Engage the owner, designer, and contractor to make an executive team that will commit to being successful. 
  • Using group set goals with tracking mechanisms for progress. 
  • Working to get alignment across the organization; reduce complexity.

[16:15] minute: That co-creation seems key to getting buy-in from people, would you agree?

  • People don’t argue with what they helped to create.
  • Have to be a part of the creation to get them to buy in fully.

[17:00] minute: How should entrepreneurs approach conflict within their team?

  • Non-adversarial. Use the Aikido approach.

[19:00] minute: When you have a team with big personalities and ideas people, communication can be a big problem, so how can we communicate better to avoid these conflict within teams?

  • Don’t be so inwardly focused, look outward. A lot of the conflict comes from that internal focus.
  • Some conflict is glorious conflict, it’s necessary. 

[21:20] minute: Where is the opportunity in conflict?

  • If you don’t judge it as being bad then it will push you to somewhere an opportunity is open, and you never would have seen it before.
  • Transform any conflict into opportunity based on how you approach it.

[24:30] minute: I came across an article you wrote and one of the points that stuck out to me was you said in conflict it is always personal, can you expand on that?

  • Whatever the conflict is about, it isn’t really about. It’s ALWAYS about something personal related to what has happened.
  • Too often people want to make people wrong. The truth is that they are probably right, and they are right from their perspective, but we are not willing to listen to their perspective to see that they are right. 

[27:15] minute: Any final tips around dealing with conflict and different personalities for our listeners?

  • Don’t judge conflict too quickly. There is a hidden possibility, make sure to wait and see it.

 

Do Well & Do Good Challenge Nominee:

International Partnering Institute

Website | Web Description:

The International Partnering Institute (IPI) is a member-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Comprised of more than 150 member organizations, we serve Owners, CM Firms, Designers, Contractors, and Facilitators. Our mission is to transform the construction industry to achieve exceptional results through a culture of collaboration.

IPI Provides the Following:

Education: We bring the Construction Partnering model to new agencies, organizations, and academic institutions to broaden their understanding of Construction Partnering as a means to improve construction project outcomes. Our regular virtual forums engage members with innovative topics on Construction Partnering.

Research and Development: We conduct research to increase the body of knowledge on Construction Partnering and develop tools that the industry can use to improve project delivery.

Recognition: We recognize teams who achieve exceptional outcomes through Construction Partnering by highlighting their success stories in our newsletter and Partnering Magazine and by honoring them at our Annual IPI Partnering Awards Ceremony.

Guidance: We guide our members by connecting them with a network of mentors, and by providing them access to research and other resources.

Facilitator Certification and Professional Development: We certify the experience of facilitators who demonstrate their qualifications and knowledge of Construction Partnering. We also provide a forum for professional development to improve standards of practice in Construction Partnering.

Where to Find Dorothy:

Visit Do Well and Do Good’s free Facebook community here and arrange a one-on-one with Dorothy herself!

Follow Dorothy on Instagram @dorothyillson to keep up with the latest Do Well & Do Good news!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mortuary Assistant

Apr 12, 2026 ·166m

Ready or Not

Mar 29, 2026 ·198m

The Last Video Store

Mar 15, 2026 ·118m

The Terrible Terror Podcast Brian Kindle Do you like horror movies? Do you like the bad, the good and the downright ugly horror movies? The ones that either make you giggle in delight or so mad that you smile with delight? Well, then this is the podcast for you! Hi, I'm Brian and I love all types of horror films. From the ones that are cinematic masterpieces, to those that will make your blood boil and curl. Whether the movie is so unwatchable or so loved, I will give my honest opinion and review of the film with clips of the movie mixed in to help tell the story. This isn't your standard film review pod. Let me engross you in the story of the film and make you feel that you're watching the movie along side me. I may also get really animated during the process. So, if you're looking for a B-Movie version of a film review podcast, look no further than the Terrible Terror Podcast! Part of the Slightly Irregular Podcast Network. Explicit Tea Total Tea Total Tea-Total: How do you like it? Hosted by four women of colour, we wanted to create a podcast steeped with knowledge, that brews discussion, and tastes different.We want to delve into our personal relationships with tea as well as the rich history and culture surrounding the beverage across the globe throughout the millennia.Armed with tea related puns and an open mind, we are able to cover every topic imaginable from relationships to colonial history. We truly believe a good cuppa is a is a vehicle for change and something that unites us all. Explicit The Sagely Stage Stooges The Sagely Sage Stooges The Sagely Stage Stooges is a podcast created by four friends (Chris, Stephen, Josh, and Grady) who joke about and discuss anything, from video games, movies, and history to current events, life stories, and even sketch comedy. We have an irreverent sense of humor, and we get funnier as the show goes on. Well, at least we think we do...the booze probably helps with that. Come have a listen and enjoy a good laugh or three. Explicit Bumps, Scars & Stories Jimmy Mellon RCR continues to take off with no ceiling in our near future. We are thrilled to now bring you our exclusive unique podcast. There are tons of wrestling podcasts out so what makes ours stand out? Our extraordinary format will drive you into the emotional investment of each of our guests because they are the star. We will take you on a roller coaster ride with our questions. How do you know how good a book is? When you are 3 pages in, there is a force in your brain that makes you so stricken to move to page 4 cause you just need to know what happens next. Are you still not convinced? Well if you are still reading this description, I think you're intrigued at the very least. It's time to hear about the first and cringeworthy bumps. The gory tales of the physical, mental, and emotional scars that our star has encountered. Lastly, we push for any and all of the most engaging stories they have to offer. This podcast hits different! Hosted o Explicit
URL copied to clipboard!