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Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict: What to Say Next to De-stress the Workday, Build Collaboration, and Calm Difficult Customers
An essential guide to master any workplace conflict with confidence and ease, have less drama, better results, and thrive at work.
In many workplaces today, workplace conflict is an escalating issue. The shift to remote work and hybrid teams has left many people longing for deeper human connection. On top of this, add a younger generation clamoring for more feedback and impatient for change, steady advances in technology that can feel threatening to job security, or people reexamining priorities and quietly quitting. Take the increase in anxiety, stress, and depression, mix in the loss of human relationships, and you get less tolerance and understanding leading, ultimately, to more unresolved workplace conflict.
Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict is an essential resource for all employees (and their managers) who are looking for help on how to navigate frequent workplace conflicts, including with their boss and other difficult people, so they can rebuild trust, collaboration, and ultimately enjoy more influence at work.
Leadership and workplace culture experts Karin Hurt and David Dye share practical and easy-to-follow tactics such
Over 300 actual phrases you can use to deescalate common workplace conflict situations, build trust, and make better decisions.Clear examples and explanations of how phrasing will improve interactions.Critical communication tools to ensure workplace issues are addressed before they fester and become more difficult to manage.Findings, real-world cases, and inspiring stories from the World Workplace Conflict and Collaboration Survey of 5000+ people in more than 45 countries conducted by the authors.
In many workplaces today, workplace conflict is an escalating issue. The shift to remote work and hybrid teams has left many people longing for deeper human connection. On top of this, add a younger generation clamoring for more feedback and impatient for change, steady advances in technology that can feel threatening to job security, or people reexamining priorities and quietly quitting. Take the increase in anxiety, stress, and depression, mix in the loss of human relationships, and you get less tolerance and understanding leading, ultimately, to more unresolved workplace conflict.
Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict is an essential resource for all employees (and their managers) who are looking for help on how to navigate frequent workplace conflicts, including with their boss and other difficult people, so they can rebuild trust, collaboration, and ultimately enjoy more influence at work.
Leadership and workplace culture experts Karin Hurt and David Dye share practical and easy-to-follow tactics such
Over 300 actual phrases you can use to deescalate common workplace conflict situations, build trust, and make better decisions.Clear examples and explanations of how phrasing will improve interactions.Critical communication tools to ensure workplace issues are addressed before they fester and become more difficult to manage.Findings, real-world cases, and inspiring stories from the World Workplace Conflict and Collaboration Survey of 5000+ people in more than 45 countries conducted by the authors.
- GenresNonfictionBusiness
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2024
35 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Karin Hurt
9 books8 followersKARIN HURT is a top leadership consultant and CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders. A former Verizon Wireless executive, she was named to Inc. Magazine’s list of great leadership speakers.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 11, 2025
Great phrases they give to use that are practical for various situations.
December 23, 2023
I needed a moment to gather my thoughts on this book. It resonated with situations at work, making me wish I had expressed similar sentiments. The phrases advocated in the book seemed to create a pause, encouraging thoughtful communication. I strongly recommend it, envisioning its applicability in parenting, marriage, and various interactions. Thanks to Karin Hurt, David Dye, and Netgallery for the opportunity to read this insightful book.
May 20, 2024
Based on a Complete Teardown and Rebuild of Workplace Interactions
If you are working on a classic car, your best friend is a Haynes manual (Chilton’s people—I’ll fight you!), but if you’re trying to deal with workplace conflict, Powerful Phrases by Karin Hurt & David Dye is your best friend. That’s exactly what this book is: a repair manual for broken workplace relationships.
The first few chapters lay out some basic theoretical groundwork, some of the hows and whys for understanding workplace conflict: why people get into conflicts, the parameters that govern conflicts, and the authors’ twelve GOAT phrases for managing conflict. This is like the introductory chapters in a repair manual, where they lay out all the regular maintenance you need to keep your car running in top shape. And just like those maintenance steps, if you read and master these first chapters, you’ll be able to cruise your way happily through most workplace conflicts until something serious breaks.
When you’ve got a workplace conflict that you’re having trouble resolving, it’s time to flip to the later chapters of the book, which are dedicated to specific conflicts like “When your team can’t get along,” or “When your boss takes credit for your ideas,” or “How to deal with lazy coworkers.” What I love about these chapters is how they start with a detailed description of what’s likely driving the conflict from the perspective of each person involved. It’s like an exploded-view parts diagram, and it really gives you a good idea of what’s gone wrong in each interaction. Then the chapter gets into the powerful phrases that you can use to work your way through the conflict to restore your relationships to good working order.
Of course, there are a few differences between Powerful Phrases and a repair manual. The biggest difference is that Powerful Phrases is full of humor and heart—they don’t stick too many jokes in a repair manual. This makes this book an enjoyable read straight through, even though it’s not intended for you to approach it that way.
The second major difference is that Powerful Phrases is full of insights from dozens of additional experts, who help add some nuance, philosophical background, or a slightly different approach from the main authors.
I have seen the positive difference that these authors’ work can make when deployed in the workplace. I feel that this book will make a similar dynamic impact, improving the lives of workers at all levels in organizations of all sizes. Heck, I bet that you’ll find yourself using some of these phrases to navigate conflict in your personal life, too, and—spoiler alert!—they work there, too.
If you are working on a classic car, your best friend is a Haynes manual (Chilton’s people—I’ll fight you!), but if you’re trying to deal with workplace conflict, Powerful Phrases by Karin Hurt & David Dye is your best friend. That’s exactly what this book is: a repair manual for broken workplace relationships.
The first few chapters lay out some basic theoretical groundwork, some of the hows and whys for understanding workplace conflict: why people get into conflicts, the parameters that govern conflicts, and the authors’ twelve GOAT phrases for managing conflict. This is like the introductory chapters in a repair manual, where they lay out all the regular maintenance you need to keep your car running in top shape. And just like those maintenance steps, if you read and master these first chapters, you’ll be able to cruise your way happily through most workplace conflicts until something serious breaks.
When you’ve got a workplace conflict that you’re having trouble resolving, it’s time to flip to the later chapters of the book, which are dedicated to specific conflicts like “When your team can’t get along,” or “When your boss takes credit for your ideas,” or “How to deal with lazy coworkers.” What I love about these chapters is how they start with a detailed description of what’s likely driving the conflict from the perspective of each person involved. It’s like an exploded-view parts diagram, and it really gives you a good idea of what’s gone wrong in each interaction. Then the chapter gets into the powerful phrases that you can use to work your way through the conflict to restore your relationships to good working order.
Of course, there are a few differences between Powerful Phrases and a repair manual. The biggest difference is that Powerful Phrases is full of humor and heart—they don’t stick too many jokes in a repair manual. This makes this book an enjoyable read straight through, even though it’s not intended for you to approach it that way.
The second major difference is that Powerful Phrases is full of insights from dozens of additional experts, who help add some nuance, philosophical background, or a slightly different approach from the main authors.
I have seen the positive difference that these authors’ work can make when deployed in the workplace. I feel that this book will make a similar dynamic impact, improving the lives of workers at all levels in organizations of all sizes. Heck, I bet that you’ll find yourself using some of these phrases to navigate conflict in your personal life, too, and—spoiler alert!—they work there, too.
October 14, 2024
Karin Hurt and David Dye’s Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict is an essential guide for anyone navigating the complexities of workplace interactions. This book stands out for its practical, easy-to-use strategies that empower readers to handle conflicts with confidence and clarity.
The authors provide a wealth of smart, word-for-word phrases that can be applied in real-life situations, making it a valuable resource for leaders, team members, and anyone facing difficult conversations. Each chapter is well-organized and filled with relatable scenarios that illustrate how to approach conflict effectively.
What I particularly appreciate is the emphasis on listening and understanding the underlying issues driving conflicts. The book encourages a human-centered approach, reminding us that effective communication is not just about the words we use but also about the connections we foster.
Whether you're dealing with a challenging coworker or trying to resolve team disputes, this book equips you with the tools needed to turn potential conflicts into constructive conversations.
The authors provide a wealth of smart, word-for-word phrases that can be applied in real-life situations, making it a valuable resource for leaders, team members, and anyone facing difficult conversations. Each chapter is well-organized and filled with relatable scenarios that illustrate how to approach conflict effectively.
What I particularly appreciate is the emphasis on listening and understanding the underlying issues driving conflicts. The book encourages a human-centered approach, reminding us that effective communication is not just about the words we use but also about the connections we foster.
Whether you're dealing with a challenging coworker or trying to resolve team disputes, this book equips you with the tools needed to turn potential conflicts into constructive conversations.
January 28, 2024
I was drawn to this book having been in various roles of leadership position over the past 5 years. The set-up and ease of read make it simple to read but by bit or focus on certain areas based on a “problem-area” that you would like to explore. The table of contents is detailed and allows the reader to jump to the section that they may want to focus on or can be used as a refresher of what was previously read to refer back to. This book is great for someone new to a leadership/management role which allows advice from that standpoint or the viewpoint of those that you oversee. While the intended audience seems to be anyone in the workforce, my review is more from a manger level. I enjoyed most the sections in the text boxes highlighting key phrases as well as quotes throughout the chapters.
January 15, 2024
Wow! This book was great! I needed to read this! Everyone needs to read this! I will totally look at how I interact with my coworkers better, and I wish that my managers of my previous job had read this book before they let me quit after 15 years. I believe that things could have been different. I might just send them a copy when it is released. I took notes, and I will buy a hard copy when it comes out. I definitely think it is a great resource for everyone that works with other humans. Humanity is failing, and it is lack of communication. This can help open those lines back up. Thank you for writing this! 5 stars!
May 25, 2024
We all know that even in the most peaceful workplace conflict can begin. This guide written by Karin Hurn and David Dye gave you a lot of examples of how to resolve them, without escalating the issue to the unbelievable range. The Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict is the book not only for a HR department or managers, I think it can bring explanation and possible resolution and ideas how to handle conflict situation with professionalism and confidence. This guide is helpful in any interaction with another person.
Highly recommended.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for ARC of this book to provide the honest review.
Highly recommended.
Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for ARC of this book to provide the honest review.
September 10, 2024
Great reference book to help you come up with how to approach different hurdles at work. For example, I’m feeling particularly ignored lately and used the virtual coffee approach and it is already making me feel better. More than anything, it’s a great book to help you brainstorm your way out of unfavorable and unpleasant situations. The advice is broad and minimal, but good enough to pinpoint a solution launchpad to get you going. I literally just gifted one of these to my best friend, as well, cos I love it so much. I have no idea what my best friend does for a living, but I’m sure it’ll help her.
January 14, 2024
This is one of the practical application books. It has a lot of interesting phrases to use in every day if privately and in professional environment. You will find plenty of stories and examples to apply those phrases in different situations. I have found the book very useful. It c can be a go-to resource when you need some ideation and support. Obviously it is not possible to memorize all of them however you get an idea and a way to improvise yourself.
April 17, 2025
This book was both familiar and helpful!
Even though most of the settings in this book were office based, I could still see where the phrases could be altered to fit the struggles I have with my coworkers. The best part was that you both made it relatable to even the smallest of roles in a company; compared to your massive experience, I am an ant. I look forward to having this book in my mental toolbox to reference back to throughout my career.
Even though most of the settings in this book were office based, I could still see where the phrases could be altered to fit the struggles I have with my coworkers. The best part was that you both made it relatable to even the smallest of roles in a company; compared to your massive experience, I am an ant. I look forward to having this book in my mental toolbox to reference back to throughout my career.
January 9, 2024
“Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict” by Karin Hurt and David Dye is a useful guide to dealing with everyone and anyone in the working sphere. The advice would be useful for all levels of employees including managers dealing with other employees. I do think a lot of the things in the book could be used for other situations where there is a power structure involved like college students with their teachers and teacher aids. The information is practical and useful and something everyone should read because you never know when you might need it. 4 out of 5 stars.
June 25, 2024
insightful, practical and helpful
Conflicts at work can be so damaging to team spirit, ethos and performance. David Dye and Karin Hurt’s excellent book is full of helpful and straightforward advice based on their years of experience and an understanding of the literature. Written with warmth and good humour I found it to be of great value.
Conflicts at work can be so damaging to team spirit, ethos and performance. David Dye and Karin Hurt’s excellent book is full of helpful and straightforward advice based on their years of experience and an understanding of the literature. Written with warmth and good humour I found it to be of great value.
October 28, 2025
⭐️2.5 not because it was bad, but because it was written so recently and I was expecting newer concepts. Nothing was groundbreaking and it was derivative of so many other books I’ve read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews