Most organisational conflicts are invisible, and costly. Fiona Kearns joins Anwen Bottois (your host) to reveal how small, overlooked 'politeness' issues can escalate into toxic environments, affecting productivity and morale in ways leaders often miss. All impacting individual and organisational performance, critical for the HR Strategy.

If you've ever wondered how minor disagreements snowball or why high-performing teams struggle with communication, this episode is for you.

Fiona, a business psychologist with a tech and telecoms background, shows you how to spot the warning signs of low-level conflict and turn them into opportunities for stronger, healthier workplaces.

You’ll discover:

• Why 'politeness' can be a form of avoidance and how to confront it effectively
• The hidden power dynamics behind small frustrations and microaggressions
• Practical action based on having more honest, low-stakes conversations that prevent bigger issues
• How to build a culture where feedback and conflict are seen as opportunities, not threats
• Actionable steps for HR and leaders to model open dialogue and strengthen team trust In an era where organisational health directly impacts profitability, ignoring small conflicts is a risk you can’t afford.

Fiona explains why addressing the 'small stuff' can prevent costly disruptions, reduce turnover, and foster a more engaged, resilient workforce. Perfect for HR leaders, managers, and executives eager to create workplaces built on trust and transparency, because clear, honest conversations are the foundation of high performance.

When you master the art of meaningful communication, you unlock extraordinary growth, innovation, and team cohesion. Tune in to learn how to turn polite avoidance into powerful leadership, because stronger conversations make stronger organisations.

Fiona Kearns is a business psychologist specialising in leadership, organisational culture, and high-performance teams. She’s passionate about unpicking hierarchical barriers to create more open, human-centered workplaces.

Find Fiona here:

The website: kearnsconsultancy.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fionakearns

Find out more about Anwen here:

The website: purpleskyconsulting.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anwen-bottois-leadership-coach