02.07.2025

Smarter Conflict | Impeccable| The One Thing

Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS. 

You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach: 

Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge

LEARN
Something Worth Sharing

Smarter Conflict

While working in the States recently, two of our adult children were left in charge of the house and dogs. As tends to happen between siblings, they had a brief disagreement and fall out. Thankfully they worked through it immediately (after a bit of name-calling, no doubt) and together resolved things.

This got me thinking about conflicts - especially as we seem to have them popping up all around the world too! Conflicts can be pretty unpleasant to be part of. However, I wanted to understand what the benefits could be. The positives that can come from ‘smarter conflict’ include:

• An opportunity for improved communication

• A basis for better problem-solving and decision-making

• Increased creativity and innovation

• A chance to strengthen relationships

• Personal growth, development and resilience

So, given that there are some great benefits that can come from conflict, it may be helpful to share a check-list to navigate the core challenges and ensure you end up on the positive side of smarter conflicts:

1. Consider what you want as an outcome first

2. Read the room - context, values, emotions, beliefs etc

3. Establish some common ground - what can be agreed on

4. Take responsibility for your part

5. Frame the message accordingly

6. Use a pause / break if things escalate

7. Be kind (to yourself and others)

8. Agree outcomes

9. Check-in to ensure everything has been covered

10. Do what was agreed!

And finally, remember this…if you think someone’s being unreasonable, chances are you’re also being unreasonable in some way.

ENERGY
Focusing on an emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s

Impeccable

One of our team used this word recently - and I commented on what a superb word it is. On looking up the origins and etymology, I found that it is directly from Late Latin impeccabilis meaning "not liable to sin". This was formed from IN "not"+ PECCARE "to sin".

We now use the word most commonly to describe something that is flawless, faultless, or without any errors - which struck me that this is very rare and perhaps a little unreasonable!

PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)

“With what’s left of this year, what will I focus on?”

Not that I’m wishing the year away - far from it - but, what would you like to focus on with what is left of the year? Try and be brave and bold in your thinking and write it down, share it…and make sure it’s important enough for you.

I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question

SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition, my gratitude or to be celebrated.

Time Out

Now, you can take this in a few ways, but this week I’m shouting out “time out”. Originally I was thinking of it in terms of taking a break and vacations (or a change of scenery at least!), but using a ‘time out’ when struggling with decision-making, coming up with new ideas and concepts, during heated moments etc. can also be a great strategy. Taking a ‘time out’ is brilliant for regrouping, resting and gaining a new perspective!

BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
This week’s little extra for you - from me

This week I wanted to gift you a visual synopsis for a super book called The One Thing. This was written by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan.

The visual piece (below) is available to you for free (for 7 days) using the code: FIRSTDOMINO when you check out.

Access is via the link below.

Please note that if you miss the 7 day offer, we can not extend this for you. You can, however always access the download for a nominal charge.

The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.

If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.

LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis. 

I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:

• L: what have you learned?

• E: what’s your energy / feeling word

• A: what’s one thing you need to do?

• P: what are you thinking / processing?

• S: who or what can you shout out?