Psychological Safety - Lisa D. Foster, Leadership Coaching & Training

Emotional Intelligence in Conflict at Work: Why It Escalates—Even When You’re Handling It Well

Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution: 3 Simple Steps That Work Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution are deeply connected at work, where emotions often determine whether problems escalate or get resolved. Most leaders don’t think they handle conflict poorly. They try to stay calm. Be reasonable. Focus on the issue. And yet—Conversations get tense.People become defensive.Issues drag on longer than they should. So the question becomes: Why does conflict escalate—even when you’re trying to handle it well? This is where many…

Leadership Accountability: When Correction Without Development Destroys Ownership

March 23, 2026

Trust and Building Teams

Leadership Accountability Without Development Can Reduce Performance Leadership accountability is essential for performance. Clear expectations and follow-through matter. But leadership accountability is often misunderstood and overused. When it becomes constant correction without development, it erodes ownership rather than building it. At senior levels, accountability in leadership must do more than detect mistakes. It must develop capability. When it does not, performance flattens quietly — even when effort appears high. Key Takeaways Leadership Accountability and Ownership When Accountability Turns Into Surveillance…