In this episode of "All Things Conflict," Maria Arpa engages in a thought-provoking conversation with John Cullum, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in both corporate and charitable sectors. They explore the nuances of conflict in leadership, emphasising the importance of listening and empathy in navigating challenges within organisations. John shares insights from his diverse career, including his time at Ford Motor Company and various non-executive roles, highlighting the significance of healthy debate and the value of 360-degree feedback in fostering better communication among teams. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of leadership, the privilege of guiding others, and the necessity of balancing strategic decision-making with a deep respect for individual perspectives. As they conclude, John encourages listeners to embrace open-mindedness and continuous learning as essential components of effective leadership and conflict resolution.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Importance of Listening: Effective conflict resolution in leadership requires active listening and understanding different viewpoints. Leaders should prioritize listening to foster better communication and collaboration.
Healthy Conflict vs. Counterproductive Conflict: While conflict is inevitable in any organization, it can be healthy when it leads to constructive debate. However, heated and unproductive exchanges can hinder progress and require careful management.
Value of Diverse Perspectives: A well-structured board should include diverse viewpoints and skill sets. This diversity enhances decision-making and helps organizations better understand their stakeholders' needs.
Privilege of Leadership: Leadership roles come with the privilege of making impactful decisions. Leaders should recognize this privilege and use it to benefit both the organization and its employees, fostering a culture of respect and engagement.
Continuous Learning and Humility: Embracing a mindset of curiosity and humility is essential for personal and professional growth. Leaders should remain open to learning from experiences and recognize that their titles do not define their worth or humanity.
BEST MOMENTS
"If the leadership aren't aligned or they're having their own conflicts, it will have an impact all the way through." - Maria Arpa
"Conflict is at the heart of it. I would say, in general, the conflicts I've handled have been largely what I call healthy." - John Cullum
"The best run companies are those that engage better with their employees and listen." - John Cullum
"The secret is never to hope that events will turn out the way you want, but welcome events, whatever way they happen." - John Cullum
"Your humanity doesn't go away. You can develop it and acquire it, but titles, they go away overnight." - John Cullum
SOCIAL LINKS
www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org
www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk
www.workplacehuddle.com
HOST BIO
Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).
Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/