If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation and paid for it later, this episode will change how you see conflict forever. Discover a smarter way to manage tension at home, at work, and in leadership.

In this episode, Dante and Yvette discuss:

• Conflict intelligence vs. emotional intelligence
• Meta skills and communication in high-tension moments
• Internal conflict, early conditioning, and toxic relationship patterns
• Costs and boundaries of being the “peacemaker”
• Conflict, HR culture, and organizational transformation

Key Takeaways: 

• Avoiding conflict doesn’t create peace; it simply delays an eventual explosion that often costs far more emotionally, relationally, and financially.
• Emotional intelligence is powerful but incomplete without the additional skills, awareness, and mindset needed to navigate real conflict situations.
• Conflict management relies heavily on meta skills, like reading body language, managing tone, and staying flexible in your thinking, rather than just what you say.
• Being the constant peacemaker without boundaries can lead to emotional exhaustion, heaviness, and burnout if you don’t have tools to protect and regulate yourself.
• When organizations rely solely on punitive HR systems instead of human-centered conflict practices, they miss the chance to build healthier cultures and avoid costly turnover and legal issues.

“In that, conflict is not necessarily bad. It is the way that people approach conflict that you were saying that makes it a very bad thing.” - Yvette Durazo

About Yvette Durazo: Yvette Durazo, MA, PCC, is a recognized expert in conflict intelligence, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. She is the author of Conflict Intelligence (Conflict-IQ™): The Missing Piece to Turbocharge Leaders’ and Organizations’ Emotional Intelligence and serves as Principal Consultant of Unitive Consulting, where she helps organizations strengthen workplace culture, communication, and performance through strategic conflict management and ombudsperson services.

With a focus on trust, inclusion, and human-centered leadership, Yvette equips professionals and teams with practical tools to engage in constructive dialogue, resolve challenges, and foster respectful, collaborative environments. Her approach positions conflict not as a disruption, but as a powerful opportunity to enhance engagement and organizational resilience.

Yvette also serves as a professor and advisor across multiple universities, teaching courses in human resources, mediation, and conflict resolution. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Peacebuilding, is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation, and is certified in mediation, restorative justice facilitation, and nonviolent communication. Her diverse background includes leadership roles in the legal and ADR fields, further strengthening her ability to guide organizations through complex interpersonal dynamics with clarity and care.

Connect with Yvette Durazo:

Website: https://unitiveconsulting.com/en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-durazo/ 

Connect with Dante Royster:

Website: https://www.danteroyster.com/

Epic Mortgage Website: Epic Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 1885086

Facebook: EpicMortgage1885086

Epic Mortgage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicmortgage/

“The Ultimate Mortgage Guide” book: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mortgage-Guide-Secure-Best/dp/1956220631 

LinkedIn: Dante Royster | LinkedIn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanteRoyster

YouTube: Epic Spotlight 

Email: [email protected]  

The 9 states that Epic Mortgage is licensed in are: Illinois/Indiana/Michigan/Colorado/Maryland/Virginia/Florida/Georgia/Texas

Show notes by Podcastologist: Francine Poblete

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.