The beginning of a new year is a time when many of us are reflecting on how we want to lead, communicate, and relate—both at work and in our personal lives. Conflict can feel draining or uncomfortable for so many of us, but today’s episode offers a grounded reframe and shows you what's possible when we move from fear and misunderstanding into collaboration, clarity, and connection.

In this episode, I’m joined by leadership expert, author, and podcast host, David Dye. David uses his deep passion for helping people truly understand one another to guide human-centered leaders through difficult conversations. You’ll hear how this calling showed up for him early in life, and how that curiosity about how people work together has shaped decades of leadership work.

Intentional language can change the tone and outcome of even the most difficult conversations. We explore how simple shifts in the words we use can lower defensiveness and create understanding, and why conflict itself isn’t a problem, but an invitation to slow down, get curious, and truly hear one another.

Whether you’re leading a team or seeking better communication in your relationships, this conversation offers practical tools and powerful phrases to help you understand other perspectives and practice human-centered leadership and connection.

What you’ll learn:

1. Why human-centered leadership depends on moving from destructive conflict to productive collaboration
2. The four key dimensions that create understanding and alignment: connection, clarity, curiosity, and commitment
3. Simple phrases that lower defensiveness and open the door to real dialogue
4. Why checking for mutual understanding is one of the most critical leadership skills
5. How clear commitments and follow-through build trust and prevent repeated conflict

You can read the full show notes here.

About David Dye

David Dye helps human-centered leaders find clarity in uncertainty, drive innovation, and achieve breakthrough results. He’s the President of Let’s Grow Leaders, a global leadership development and training firm known for practical tools and leadership development programs that stick. He’s the award-winning author of multiple books including Courageous Cultures: How to Build Teams of Micro-Innovators, Problem Solvers, and Customer Advocates and Powerful Phrases for Dealing With Workplace Conflict and hosts the popular Leadership without Losing Your Soul podcast. David is a former executive and elected official. David and his wife and business partner, Karin Hurt, are committed to their philanthropic initiative, Winning Wells – building clean water wells for the people of Cambodia.

Website: https://letsgrowleaders.com

Podcast: https://podfollow.com/leadership-without-losing-your-soul

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmdye/

Book: https://letsgrowleaders.com/conflict-phrases-book/

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