Healing After the Hard Stuff with Anna Parker-Naples

025 - Confronting Conflict with Nicole Posner

·34 min·3 clips

Anna Parker-Naples welcomes back her first guest, conflict consultant Nicole Posner, to discuss why we avoid difficult conversations.

Anna Parker-Naples introduces Nicole Posner as her first guest back after a break, noting their personal and professional relationship. Posner discusses shedding a 'perfect professional' identity to show up authentically in her conflict consultancy work. She explains that she fell into this field after a six-year psychology study group and mediation training, drawn to its finite problem-solving nature. Posner describes helping businesses with team or senior-level conflicts, emphasizing listening and presence. She shares an example of a manager who avoided conflict by creating a kitchen rota and rearranging desks, illustrating extreme avoidance. The host relates to putting off difficult conversations due to fear and physical tension. Posner introduces her book 'And Breathe', linking it to relief before and after tough talks. She stresses understanding the root of conflict to sustain outcomes. Posner provides the 'USE A MAP' acronym for conversation preparation, focusing on mindset, approach, and planning. She recommends music playlists with calming and energizing tracks to shift mindset. The host shares her own introspective track by Fia. Posner reframes conflict as an opportunity for change rather than a challenge. She notes that family conversations are often the most difficult due to entrenched roles and high stakes. Posner contrasts being called in too late, post-grievance, with early intervention for quicker resolution. She highlights how unresolved conflict consumes mental well-being and bleeds into family life. Posner discusses the financial impact on businesses, including client loss and stagnation. She now works with startups, advocating for conflict risk assessment during rapid growth. Posner advises finding courage to have conversations and avoiding delay.

As heard by us

A relaxed, useful conversation about why conflict gets avoided, what it costs, and how courage can open a better way through.

Back after a long break, the show returns with Nicole Posner as its first guest, framed as a conflict consultant, friend, and client of the host.

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Why you'd press play

If a difficult conversation is making your stomach clench, Nicole Posner may be worth hearing out.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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