I Was Falsely Accused of Theft - Here's What I Should Have Done

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Conflict can feel impossible, especially when you're accused of something you didn't do. In this episode, I share a personal story from my time as a young store manager. After being falsely accused of theft by my boss, I chose to resign rather than confront the issue. We'll analyze this conflict using key resolution principles, discussing why my choice to walk away wasn't the most effective solution. I'll show you the exact strategies I could have used to clear my name, protect my career, and resolve the conflict head-on.

00:00 Accused of Theft After Three Years of Dedication

00:18 Welcome to A Better Way

00:26 Tormented Timber – My Early Career Story

00:58 The Event That Changed Everything

01:06 Helping My Aunt With a Wood Order

01:28 Called Into the Office – Accusation of Theft

01:59 The Devastation and Breach of Trust

02:06 My Dedication to the Store

02:18 Lacking Conflict Resolution Skills

02:25 My Resignation and the Owner’s Remark

02:35 Was This Conflict Resolution Effective?

02:50 Tomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument - Understanding the Five Conflict Modes

03:00 My Approach – Avoiding Confrontation

03:53 Why Resigning Was Not the Most Effective Way

04:14 A Better Way – Alternative Approaches

04:27 Collaborative Approach

05:03 Example Collaborative Conversation

05:21 Competing Approach

05:36 Proving My Innocence Directly

06:06 Accommodating Approach

06:22 Smoothing Things Over at My Own Expense

06:45 Key Takeaways on Handling Conflict

07:02 Share Your Thoughts and Experiences