S2 E3: Are You The Source of Tension in Your Conflicts?Conflict Coach with Dr. Emily Taylor • Season 2, Episode 3
Oct 28, 2025 • 29m
Dr. Emily Taylor coaches Laura, who is having conflict with a new coworker and wonders if she’s the cause of the tension. If you're someone who likes to be liked - and most of us are! - it's easy to slip into blaming yourself for conflicts in your life. In this coaching session, Dr. Emily helps Laura to unpack why she sees herself as the cause of the tension and how that limits the options Laura has for resolving the conflict with her coworker. Together they explore Laura’s needs in the conflict and role-play to uncover what the coworker’s needs might be. Then they brainstorm ways Laura could engage with her coworker to resolve their friction.
In this episode you’ll learn how to:
- Name your needs in a conflict
- Uncover your conflict partner’s needs through role-play
- Effectively brainstorm your options
- Resolve conflict through negotiation, rather than competition
Dr. Emily recommends this resource from the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Academy to help you name your needs and feelings: https://nvcacademy.com/media/NVCA/learning-tools/NVCA-feelings-needs.pdf
Let us know how these strategies work in your own life! Email Dr. Emily at conflictcoach@byu.edu or connect with her on social media: @conflictcoachwithdremily
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Conflict Coach
00:53 Meet Laura and Her Workplace Conflict
03:17 Understanding the Root of the Conflict
08:16 Role-Playing to Gain Perspective
16:50 Brainstorming Solutions
25:33 Key Takeaways and Conclusion