How does fear show up in conflict at work - and what can we do about it? In this episode I’m joined by author and workplace dynamics expert Amy Gallo to explore how fear fuels everything from avoidance to artificial harmony - and how we can work through it with curiosity, courage and emotional intelligence.

Amy is known for her work on communication, difficult conversations and healthy workplace relationships. She shares insights from her bestselling book Getting Along and her years of experience helping teams navigate interpersonal tensions and toxic behaviours.

Together we unpack how fear manifests in conflict - not just as anger, but also as silence, people-pleasing or endless busyness. And how tools like emotional regulation, intellectual humility and clear communication can help us build real psychological safety, not just the illusion of harmony.

We explore:

• Why conflict often hides behind politeness, performance, and passivity
• How fear fuels passive-aggression, avoidance, and overreaction
• What to do when a colleague just won’t say what they really think
• Why emotional intelligence starts with checking your own biology
• How leaders can roll out the red carpet for disagreement
• What to say when you wish you'd handled it better - and how to keep the connection

If you’ve ever found yourself walking on eggshells, stuck in surface-level agreement, or unsure how to speak up without setting off alarm bells - this one’s for you.

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About Guest

Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who writes and speaks about gender, interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, and effective communication. She is the best-selling author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review.

For the past four years, Amy has co-hosted HBR’s popular Women at Work podcast, which examines the struggles and successes of women in the workplace. She is frequently sought out by media outlets for her perspective on workplace dynamics, conflict, and difficult conversations.

Her advice has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Marketplace, Bloomberg Business, and NPR, as well as on WNYC, the BBC, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

Find out more at www.amyegallo.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gallo-31b9932/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyegallo/