In this episode of the "Subject to Improvement" podcast, host Susannah Margison discusses her experience with handling an inappropriate workplace interaction and offers a framework for managing such situations effectively. She shares a personal story of a colleague confronting her in an open-concept office and yelling at her. She reflects on her initial reactions, the freeze response, and how her own narratives about being able to de-escalate situations were not always realistic. Susannah delves into two common ways people react to such incidents: freezing and not saying anything or losing their temper and confronting the other person. She acknowledges that both approaches have drawbacks in conflict resolution. She emphasizes the importance of buying time to calm one's nervous system in such situations and suggests assessing the situation, considering whether you need to own any part of the problem, and evaluating your relationship with the other person and your personal brand in the workplace. She introduces a three-pronged framework for handling these situations, which includes the business end (addressing your rights and practical steps), the intra-personal experience (dealing with emotions and boundaries), and the interpersonal side (finding a solution and improving relationships). Susannah also advises on channeling negative emotions into opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement. She encourages listeners to stop the bleeding by putting up boundaries, envision a better future, implement their plan, and pivot toward a more positive outcome. She concludes by mentioning that these steps are not only useful for managing interpersonal conflicts but can also be applied to handling any setbacks and enhancing one's personal growth and well-being. Want some help dealing with conflict? Download my FREE conflict playbook. It's been known to help people manage conflict strategically while making sure they aren't being doormats or ruffling too many feathers. https://www.susannahmargison.com/get-the-conflict-playbook