Conflict – Use It, Don’t Defuse It | CrisMarie Campbell & Susan Clarke | TEDxWhitefish

Conflict is an Energy Source. Why You Should Listen

The #1 source of pain on a team, or in any relationship, is conflict. What if conflict wasn’t good or bad? What if conflict was an energy source your team could harness to produce innovative, creative, and transformational results? Invest 18 minutes learning the two magic ingredients and how you can put them to work with any team you care about.

CrisMarie Campbell and Susan Clarke have spent over 15 years working with hundreds of business leaders and their teams across many industries. Their clients call them “The Team Doctors” because of their expert, laser-like focus on the health of the team in order to get to smart business results.


What makes them experts? They are a team. CrisMarie and Susan are work and life partners. Plus, they each have very different styles and approaches to conflict. What they do agree on is that conflict is healthy and a natural part of every relationship. So use it, don’t defuse it!

[benedikthi]

Conflict - confuse it. I won't forget this talk for a while. Thank you!

[ceejayc]

I think this is an earlier version of this presentation so not polished. But I like it. They speak about using vulnerability (essentially admitting your feelings) and curiosity (questioning what is really going on here?) to address conflict. I look forward to seeing a presentation from them at a later time. These 2 women have triumphed over tremendous abuse, and are thriving and using their gains to help others. Bravo!

[EnjoyingLife]

My natural instinct is to fight and then flee in a conflict situation because I don't like feeling vulnerable. I have worked hard in recent years to be more patient, calm, and vulnerable when faced with conflict. I don't believe people should keep their feelings locked up inside. That isn't healthy. But yelling isn't healthy either. There needs to be room for people to speak their truth...no matter how uncomfortable it may be...and have their viewpoint acknowledged and valued. TY for the reminder that vulnerability and curiosity is a part of resolving conflict. The answer to a conflict lies inside of the conflict. Be it with teams or in personal relationships. 👍🙏

[daniel]

Well said -- the problem is not that we have judgments, but that we get attached to them rather than taking responsibility for them and being open to letting them go.

[jakecorynthian]

Well done to the 2 women! I appreciate their message about staying with conflict, rather than trying to escape it. Also, their honesty and openness about their formative childhood experiences which shaped their relationship to conflict. 👍🏾

[ms.q]

These women really put their hearts and souls into this presentation.

[TimDawes]

Love that you blew the closer. It just makes it a more memorable moment. Great talk.

[julieatkinson]

1.Time in phrase resonates with me rather than time out
2. Focus on behavior that restores sense of community
3. Raise and nurture human beings rather than human doings
4 community circles rock!

[liamtarbet]

I'm gonna try to summarise this in my own words 🤔 If you feel something or aren't comfortable with something, you should engage in conflict to solve the issue. Be vulnerable, show or express your inner feelings with honesty and own your opinion as its who you are, and you're worth hearing. Then become curious with their opinion or side of the conflict to explore what they have to say. Hopefully you'll find middle ground where both become aware of others feelings and compromise or collaborate to respect each others opinions.

[sistanaturall]

I love the trip ups and mistakes. It made them more personable i appreciated it

[robmcmanamy]

Wonderfully transparent and useful advice. This is also the best path to all conflict resolution. Be honest. Be open. Be vulnerable. Be human. CrisMarie and Susan encourage us all to dispense with the B.S. and posturing and to just get to the job at hand. Life is simply too short to keep putting off conflicts that must be surmounted if both sides truly hope to thrive.

[Kayakchicks]

GREAT TALK  I completely enjoyed learning a strategy for using conflict at work. Thank you Susan and ChrisMarie

[outinsider]

I haven't watched many Tedtalks recently, but I saw this and I am going through something with someone in an activist organization and I think I might apply vulnerability and creativity- use it, don't defuse it when we agree to a mediated discussion.

[smmn]

Wow ! Am enjoying this talk about conflicts!! I am so scared of conflicts and confrontations! to the degree I let people take my money bully me and disrespect me and I set angry sad in my closet! From now I will use my conflicts to get ahead in my life ! !

[wendyhuntington]

Very well done!  Effective, personal, and so very "you".  Congrats!

[josephineensign]

I'm not a huge fan of Tedex talks, but this one is quite good and very close to home for me. 'Suzie' was a childhood friend and the 'charismatic camp director' she mentions was my father. Our paths have diverged yet we both have stumbled our way into speaking the truth to power. The day before International Women's Day, remember to do your part to stop the violence against women and children.

[snagmanwaloma]

This was fantastic, thankyou! And so much courage to share your past, very admirable. I loved the end, made me laugh 😂

[cseemontana]

Powerful presentation. I love observing how their posture reflects their stories. So much to learn from both Susan and CrisMarie. Definitely a big fan.

[thehobbit]

I think they have a worthwhile concept, I would have loved to have heard a concrete solution. It was almost like an infomercial.

[kaylaryder]

this is very well done & Fun!!! Thank you Mikayla