Productive conflict is a powerful tool for solving problems and maintaining strong relationships. However, few of us know how to use conflict for good. Instead, we allow our emotions to guide our responses.

Leaders are told to mine for, leverage, and embrace conflict to increase effectives. And they should, these strategies can lead to the best results and help teams to grow in expertise and cohesion. But unfortunately, most humans are not wired to embrace conflict or properly prepared to lead others through it effectively.

Initiating a difficult discussion requires careful preparation and intention, which sounds easy unless you are scared, defensive, angry, embarrassed, hungry, lonely, or tired (among others).

Productive conflict is a valuable problem-solving tool.