Conflict Managed

Ep 188, Forming Trust Through Connection, Character, & Competence

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Ravi Rajani. Together we explore:
What a job could be (the dream) vs. what a job is (reality of it)
Ravi’s new book, Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits for Limitless Influence and Business Success
The different mindsets of, ‘How can I go through my day unscathed?’ vs. ‘How can I expand, sharpen, and grow?’
Growth is not painless
Where are you asking questions without intention or presence? Where could you ask questions that could increase your relationships?
Transactional vs intentional interactions
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration
Ravi Rajani is an international keynote speaker, communication expert, and LinkedIn Learning instructor, with over 65,000 people having taken his courses on Conscious and Charismatic Communication. Recognized as one of the world’s leading thought leaders on storytelling and communication, Ravi has worked with mission-driven leaders, teams and organizations such as Oracle NetSuite, T-Mobile, and Sherwin Williams. Over the years, Ravi has helped companies and people like this become masterful communicators, tell compelling stories, listen with intention and build meaningful relationships that amplify revenue growth and cultivate a culture of trust. Off stage or camera, Ravi lives just outside of London, UK, with his wife, son, daughter and furry little West Highland Terrier. His forthcoming book, Relationship Currency: Five Communication Habits for Limitless Influence and Business Success, will be released in November 2025.   
  
Official Site: www.theravirajani.com 
LinkedIn: Ravi Rajani 
YouTube: @theravirajani 
TikTok: @theravirajani 
Instagram: @theravirajani  
 
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 187, The Intersection of What You’re Good At, Like To Do, Can Get Paid For, & The World Needs

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Mary Olson-Manzel. Join us as we explore:
Mary’s new book, What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step
Looking for a new job? What now?
Reaching out for help
Leaning into your natural gifts
Healthy conflict
Growth mindset: Dealing with roadblocks and difficult bosses
Generations at work
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration
 
Mary Olson-Manzel is a renowned expert in career and workplace success. She has over 30 years of leadership experience across various industries, including media, tech, healthcare, and sports, and has worked with many global organizations. She is the Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development, a national leadership, coaching, and organizational management consultancy with offices in New York, Connecticut, and Illinois. Her clients range from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups with a broad reach of industries, from FinTech to Football (the NFL). As a seasoned executive leadership coach, Mary works with both companies and individuals to unlock their potential, improving business performance and catalyzing growth. Her coaching methods bring a fresh lens to business and a perspective that nurtures teamwork, helping drive results through grace, empathy, and Humane Leadership.Before starting her company in 2012, Mary was a partner at two leading global executive search firms. She also spent a decade at Tribune Company in Chicago, serving as National Managing Director of Talent, where she led a team of recruiting professionals. This is where her understanding and expertise in recruiting and coaching were honed. She worked closely with hundreds of media assets nationwide to attract and retain the best and brightest.Mary currently lives in Westchester, NY, with her husband and family. She is a part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, which brings together the world's leading executive coaches, consultants, speakers, authors, iconic leaders, and entrepreneurs. Mary is a regular Guest Lecturer on career development, internships, and workplace success at the NYU School of Professional Studies, Division of Programs in Business. She also volunteers for various local charities. What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career is her first book and is a USA Today National Bestseller. For more information, visit www.mvpexec.com and www.maryolsonmenzel.com.
 
Connect on social media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-olson-menzel-mvpexec/
https://www.instagram.com/maryolsonmenzel/
https://www.facebook.com/MVPExecutiveCoaching
 
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 186, The Gift of Difficult Feedback

This week on Conflict Managed, we welcome Tinna Jackson. Join us as we discuss:
Living with grief while working
The kindness of telling colleagues the truth (in the right way, at the right time)
Building comradery and community at work
Letting others know your greatness
Closing the gap between effective leadership and the employee experience
Tinna’s new book, The Power Play Journal
Honest leadership (self-knowledge)
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube @ 3pconflictrestoration.  
Tinna Jackson brings nearly three decades guiding executives through high-stakes challenges—first inside the U.S. Senate and major committees, now as a nationally recognized executive coach and bestselling author. Her work dives deep into the tactical realities leaders face when the stakes are high, decisions carry real weight, and navigating power dynamics becomes the heart of effective conflict management.
She has helped top leaders and organizations reset culture, build constructive influence, and lead with authority during moments that test everything from emotional intelligence to strategic clarity. Tinna’s experience sits right at the intersection what we wrestle with daily: managing relationships, surfacing tough conversations, and driving outcomes under real-world stress.
Her award-winning book, The Power Play Journal, has resonated with executives seeking practical approaches to influence and resilience.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services.  
#ConflictManagedPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #CommunicationMatters #BeCoachable #DifficultConversations #Grief

Ep 185, Change the Question

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Johnnie Garmon. Together we explore:
Wisdom vs. knowledge
Work/Life blend (not balance)
Who do I want to become?
Hurtful, not harmful, conversations
Turning towards each other instead of on each other
New book: Failure Disrupted
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube: @3pconflictrestoration
Johnnie Garmon is founder and managing partner of The Perissos Group, a mission-driven consulting and investment firm that invests in and coaches purpose-driven businesses. He is the author of Failure Disrupted, a bold new roadmap for leaders who are ready to take control of their outcomes and turn vision into measurable success.
With more than twenty years of experience in startup, growth, and leadership development, Garmon’s first entrepreneurial success included Providence Management Group, a consortium of mission-focused companies and non-profits built on the belief that exceptional cultures create exceptional results. Through his business and leadership ventures, he has maintained that when people come first, profits come as a result.
When he’s not inspiring growth within his clients and partners, he enjoys teaching entrepreneurship and organizational leadership courses at Columbia International University (CIU). His educational background includes an MBA from Webster University and a BS in organizational development from University of Mount Olive. Garmon lives, works, and writes from Seabrook Island, South Carolina.
 
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.
#ConflictResolution #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #Wisdom #Podcast

Ep 184, Accountability is a Gift, Not a Punishment

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Rob Marcus. Together we explore:
Leadership as everyday influence, not a title• The difference between managing people and leading them• Why the Golden Rule remains a practical guide for modern workplaces• Why leaders need consistent, real-world training• The real cost of overlooking people and their experiences
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration
Rob Marcus is the founder of Blue Stallion Solutions, a leadership training company helping mid-sized organizations shift from firefighting to forward motion. A former Army intelligence officer with a background in government contracting and corporate development, Rob led high-stakes teams and multimillion-dollar projects—until personal tragedy and toxic leadership made him rethink everything.
Now, he works directly with executive teams to align strategy, strengthen accountability, and equip managers to truly lead. His book, Crossing the Divide, offers a practical roadmap for scaling without losing culture. As a podcast guest, Rob brings both real-world stories and actionable insights on what breaks teams—and how to rebuild them.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.
 
#Accountability #LeadershipDevelopment #ConflictManagement #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleFirst #BetterLeadership

Ep 183, There’s a Human on the Other Side of the Conflict

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Rita Cincotta. Together we explore:
Is everyone coachable?
Planting seeds for reflection
Investing in yourself and others through consistency and practice in the “boring,” yet essential, everyday actions
Forming trust at work
Polite cooperation vs. collaboration
Demonstrating a desire to understand colleagues
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube: @3pconflictrestoration
 
Rita Cincotta is the Founder and CEO of The Deliberate Leader, a leadership development practice dedicated to helping leaders cultivate intentionality, clarity, and impact in their leadership. She is a seasoned professional in leadership development, serving as a facilitator, speaker, coach, author, and non-executive Board Director. With over two decades of experience, Rita has held executive positions across various industries and now consults widely in the sectors of technology, healthcare, financial services, aged care, media and advertising, not for profit, e-commerce, FMCG, and higher education.
Her journey into deliberate leadership began with a career in Human Resources, where she held C-suite roles leading teams through complex transformations. Through these experiences, she saw firsthand the impact of intentional leadership—how clarity, purpose, and authenticity shape not just leaders, but entire organisational cultures. Recognizing a gap in how leadership was often approached, she transitioned from corporate leadership to coaching, training, and speaking to help others lead with greater intention and impact. Since 2018, she has been dedicated to equipping leaders with the tools to cultivate high-performing, healthy teams.
As an accomplished facilitator, Rita has expertly crafted and delivered leadership programs tailored to different industries and businesses. Her qualifications are in the domains of Organisational Behaviour, Human Resources, Marketing, and Industrial and Employee Relations. Additionally, Rita is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (MAHRI), and an alumnus of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She holds accreditations in Clarity 4D, Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI), and the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect method.
Rita has spoken on national and international stages as a keynote speaker, addressing topics including team performance, cultural transformation, change management, resilience, and innovative work methodologies. In 2021, she authored her debut book, Evolve: The Business Partnering Playbook, followed by her second book, You Are How You Lead, in 2023.
Rita is a Board Director and serves on the Board and subcommittees of Peninsula Health and Left Write Hook.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Ep 182, Difficult Boss or Toxic Boss

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett. Join us as we explore:
The difference between a difficult boss and a toxic boss
The vital importance of clear conversations and telling people the truth
The key to having courageous conversations: practice, practice, practice.
What is your psychological contract at work?
Laura Hambley Lovett’s new book: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube: @3pconflictrestoration
Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is an organizational psychologist and thought leader sought-after internationally for her expertise on workplace culture, career development, toxic leadership, and burnout. Along with her 25 years of experience in her field, she holds a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Calgary, where she is currently an adjunct professor. A passionate entrepreneur, she has founded several psychology practices in Canada and hosts the widely followed podcast Where Work Meets Life.
In addition to I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, she has published two psychological thrillers, Losing Cadence and Finding Sophie, aimed at both captivating readers and raising awareness on important topics around mental health and domestic violence, currently being adapted for a TV series. Dr. Laura is also co-founder of the WITH HER movement focused on ending violence against women and girls. She received a Canadian Women of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. For more information, visit https://drlaura.live.
Social media:
https://www.instagram.com/drlaura.live/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Laura.whereworkmeetslife
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurahambley/
https://x.com/DrLaura_
https://www.tiktok.com/@drlaura.live
Pre-order: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss
 
#ConflictManaged #Podcast #ToxicBoss #CourageousConversations

Ep 181, Be Coachable

This week on Conflict Managed, we welcome Grant Freeman. Together we explore what it really means to be coachable and how openness, clarity, and curiosity shape strong teams and thriving businesses.
💡 Topics include:• Serving small businesses well• Clear communication: pick up the phone, Zoom, or Teams• Avoid making rules for the lowest common denominator• Catching your people doing something right• Taking the pulse of your organization• The difference between urgent and important
Good management doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through honest dialogue and consistent care.
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube @ 3pconflictrestoration.  
Grant Freeman is President at Thryv, which provides comprehensive business management tools—CRM, marketing automation, appointment scheduling, and reputation management—to over 350,000 small businesses across the U.S. Their platform aims to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and foster growth for local businesses
Grant’s prior title was Chief Customer Officer focusing on improving the client and employee experience to create highly engaged and happy clients. Grant remains focused on leading the global team responsible for acquisition, retention, operations and client success.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services.  
#ConflictManagedPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #CommunicationMatters #BeCoachable

Ep 180, Find the Friction & Address It

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Jimmy Burroughes. Join us as we explore:
Spotting friction early and turning it into progress
Rebuilding trust following the S.E.R.V.I.C.E method
Simple leader routines that improve performance and retention
Take the weekly 20 Minute Reflection Challenge
Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube: @3pconflictrestoration
Jimmy Burroughes has transitioned from commanding military units in difficult environments to steering senior leaders at top organizations like Samsung, Lego, Fonterra, and Bank of America. He’s the author of bestselling books “Beat Burnout – Ignite Performance" and “Escape the Multitasking Trap.” His signature "Simplify to Amplify" methodology is all about removing friction and complexity fast, leading to an average 47% improvement in leadership performance within just 90 days.
With 3,000 leaders transformed across 40 countries, Jimmy delivers real, measurable results rather than theoretical frameworks. His practical, action-ready solutions have boosted productivity by 156%, increased retention rates, and saved organizations millions. Plus, his approach empowers managers to act confidently—no burnout allowed.
Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.
 
#ConflictResolution #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #Burnout

Ep 179, Reflect, Report, Resolve.

This week on Conflict Managed, we welcome back award-winning attorney Jessica Childress for her third appearance on the show. Join us as we discuss: 
Leaving a toxic workplace on your own terms 
Toxic vs. Illegal work environments
Leaving with dignity
Your multi-hyphenated identity impacts the world
Conflict Managed is available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube @ 3pconflictrestoration.  
Jessica Childress is the author of Peace: Leaving a Toxic Workplace on Your Own Terms.  Ms. Childress has practiced employment law for over eleven years, representing organizations of all sizes and individuals in employment law matters.  She is the Managing Attorney of the Childress Firm PLLC, a boutique employment law firm, based in Washington, D.C. 
Ms. Childress holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and African American Studies from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. Ms. Childress graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with High Distinction from the University of Virginia in 2007. 
Prior to launching the Childress Firm PLLC, Ms. Childress served as an associate at two global law firms and as an attorney at the United States Department of Justice.  
Ms. Childress has litigated retaliation, discrimination, sexual harassment, non-competition, trade secret, unfair labor practice, and whistleblower cases before various tribunals. She serves clients in general business transactions with employees and independent contractors. Ms. Childress drafts agreements such as employment agreements, consulting agreements, severance agreements, and confidentiality agreements. 
She has been the recipient of several honors, including the National Bar Association’s 2018 Young Lawyer of the Year Award, the Washington Bar Association’s 2017-2018 Young Lawyer of the Year Award, the National Bar Association’s 40 under 40 Best Advocates Award, the Kim Keenan Leadership & Advocacy Award, the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the National Bar Association’s Rising Star Award, and recognition by the National Black Lawyers as one of the top 100 black attorneys. In 2022, Ms. Childress received the Women Owned Law organization’s Woman Legal Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Ms. Childress has been named to the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) Rising Stars lists. In 2024, The Childress Firm PLLC was honored as a Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. 
Ms. Childress is a 2022 graduate of the Aspen Institute’s Justice and Society program. Ms. Childress serves as a contributor for Arianna Huffington’s international media outlet, Thrive Global. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Essence, the Huffington Post, Success, and Entrepreneur. 
 https://thechildressfirm.com/
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services.