#82 - Conflict Intelligence: the leadership skill no one trains you for

Brazen Leaders - The Human Edge

Brazen Leaders - The Human Edge
#82 - Conflict Intelligence: the leadership skill no one trains you for
Feb 05, 2026 Season 6 Episode 82
Amélie Beerens

Most leaders say they value open communication.

And yet, conflict is the one thing they consistently avoid.

Not because they don’t know how to handle it.
But because stepping into conflict threatens their image, their comfort, and their sense of belonging.

In this episode of Brazen Leaders – The Human Edge, we talk about what conflict avoidance really is:
not emotional intelligence, not maturity, but a quiet abdication of leadership responsibility.

You’ll hear why:

  • avoiding conflict creates false peace and stabilizes broken systems
  • “letting people sort it out themselves” is not neutral leadership
  • silence reshapes power long before anything explodes
  • psychological safety without truth is just politeness in disguise
  • and why leaders who disappear from conflict always pay later

This is not an episode about “having difficult conversations.”
It’s about what leadership actually costs when you choose comfort over clarity.

If you’re competent, well-intentioned, and exhausted by carrying things you shouldn’t be carrying anymore, this one will hit close to home.

Listen with curiosity.
Stay until the end.
And ask yourself the question most leaders avoid.

Episode Artwork #82 - Conflict Intelligence: the leadership skill no one trains you for 14:10 Episode Artwork #81 - 8 years in business: 6 truths you only learn when theory dies 22:42 Episode Artwork #80 - Fight overwhelm: take back the control. 21:53 Episode Artwork #79 - Are you aligned? 16:50 Episode Artwork #78 - Flip the script 23:13 Episode Artwork #77 - Who will you be in a year? 24:21 Episode Artwork #76 - Ditch the Judgment, bye bye to your inner bully! 28:39 Episode Artwork #75 - Why You Lose Time 24:21 Episode Artwork #74 - Own Your Day, Every Day! 30:59 Episode Artwork #73 - Reparing Mistakes 29:21 Episode Artwork #72 - I can count on me 22:56 Episode Artwork #71 - Own Your Time, Own Your Life! 27:10 Episode Artwork #70 - Controlling Emotions is for the Weak: Start Regulating 33:03 Episode Artwork #69 - Dare to want more! 32:36 Episode Artwork #68 - I just want to feel better 23:11 Episode Artwork #67 - The Power of Your Values 22:12 Episode Artwork #66 - Enough with the Guilt Trip! 26:26 Episode Artwork Brazen Leaders - The Human Edge, the teaser! 3:07 Episode Artwork *BONUS* Six Years in Business, Six Lessons and a Brazen Ambition! 54:54 Episode Artwork #63 - Life changing method to shape your world 11:35 Episode Artwork #62 - What is the future of 'work' with Murielle Marie 52:26 Episode Artwork #61 - Are you a modern leader? 15:44 Episode Artwork #60 - Making microdosing mainstream – with Lorenzo Bown 55:44 Episode Artwork #59 - Meet your future self. 12:49 Episode Artwork #58 - Implementing CX: A Helpful How-To – with Olga Potaptseva 34:33