When managers can’t work through disagreement, friction has a way of rolling uphill. Drawing on Priya Parker’s ideas about apology, group identity, and “meter checks,” Russ Powell explores how management teams can handle difficult conversations more effectively—and why distinguishing disagreement from emotionally charged conflict matters.

Conflict isn’t failure. It’s what happens when smart, driven people work closely under pressure. The real test of leadership is noticing it early—and shifting into a productive mindset before it spirals.