Turning Conflict from Avoidance to Advantage

Guest: Mike Morrow-Fox, PhD   What if avoiding conflict is the very thing holding your team back?   Most leaders believe great teams minimize workplace conflict. But the reality is far more uncomfortable…and far more powerful. In this episode, returning guest Mike Morrow-Fox breaks down why one negative team member can reduce productivity by up to 40%, why “bad apple” behavior spreads faster than positive influence, and why the highest-performing teams don’t avoid conflict -- they design for it. This is conflict management from a completely new perspective.   You’ll learn: Why psychological safety, not harmony, is the foundation of performance How the brain’s threat response shuts down creativity in seconds The SCARF model for building environments where people can actually think, contribute, and collaborate, and Practical tools to turn tension into creative conflict that drives results.   If your team feels polite, but not fully honest, aligned, or even committed, this conversation will challenge how you lead.   Because the goal isn’t less conflict. It’s better conflict.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Good Fight: Using Productive Conflict with Liane Davey - Addressing Values Conflicts with John Heiser - Work, War, & In-Between: Lessons from a Peace Negotiator with Lord John Alderdice For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.  -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. Sponsorship Manager: Kristine Gross   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Michael Morrow-Fox, PhD, is a highly-skilled consultant experienced in health care, education, banking, and non-profit management. Michael has over 20 years of experience in leading technology and human resources operations, and several years of full-time university teaching. Michael uses this background to blend his real-world understanding with current theoretical models, helping clients reach goals beyond their current thinking. Michael’s project management, process excellence, problem-solving, and human performance management skills help companies form truly innovative strategies. He’s a valued member of the ILI team.