Conflict doesn’t have to end relationships, it can strengthen them. Leah Brown has spent her career proving this as a lawyer, mediator, and founder of The Wayfinders Group. Together, we talk about how to rebuild trust when egos and politics get in the way, the deeper identity conflicts leaders often ignore, and how restorative justice can transform not just workplaces, but entire communities.
Key Insights:
Most people don't communicate as clearly as they think they do. I might say XYZ, you hear ABC, and we both think we're being crystal clear. The solution? Slow down and use reflective listening: "What I heard you say was..."
Conflict can deepen relationships instead of destroying them. This hit me because I've been avoiding some difficult conversations in my business. Leah reminded me that staying curious instead of defensive can turn conflict into connection.
The real conflict is often internal. Before pointing fingers, ask: "What's my part in this?" That question will humble you fast.
What This Means for Builders
If you're building anything - a homestead, business, family systems - you'll face conflict. Leah's approach of separating the person from the problem and focusing on what you can control is gold.
Her restorative justice work shows what real accountability looks like: acknowledge what happened, take responsibility, let the harmed person define what justice means to them, then make genuine amends.
This isn't just corporate strategy. It's how we build resilient communities.
Connect with Leah
Leah runs the Wayfinders Group and is launching a coalition for institutional accountability in the UK. Follow her work at the links below if you care about embedding restorative approaches in how institutions handle conflict.
https://leahtalks.com/speaker/
https://www.thewayfindersgroup.com/
My Takeaway
I walked away from this conversation thinking about where I've been avoiding difficult conversations and where I need to ask for feedback. Sometimes the growth we need is on the other side of a conversation we don't want to have.
The garden is beautiful not despite the differences, but because of them. Same with our communities, businesses, and relationships.
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