Have you ever walked into a meeting knowing it might blow up your career? My client once faced two senior executives—one of them the CEO—who were determined to pin the blame for a disappointing outcome squarely on my client. Outnumbered and outranked, my client had little chance of winning by arguing. Even if my client managed to “win” the argument, it would have been a Pyrrhic victory—ending with damaged relationships and limited career prospects.

We explore what happens when instead of arguing and defending, you seek to connect and understand. We see how presenting a shared version of events gets a much better response. In the end, the “bomb” didn’t explode—and while they weren’t unscathed, my client walked out of the meeting with better relationships and a clearer path forward.

💡 Modern Manager takeaway: The most important information in any conflict isn’t the “what”—it’s the “why.” Great managers don’t just battle—they blend, learning why others have a problem, even in high-stakes moments.

🎧 Tune in to discover how to handle explosive situations at work without getting caught in the blast.

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