The Conversations We Avoid - & Why It Matters

Much of my work is helping people to have conversations that need to be had - to move their lives / careers / relationships forwards. Often, it feels easier not to. To avoid the discomfort. To say nothing and hope the issue resolves itself.

Sometimes it does. Often, it doesn’t.

In both workplace conflict and family disputes, unresolved issues rarely disappear. Instead, they sit beneath the surface, shaping behaviour, damaging trust, and making future conversations harder.

When we get to the bottom of what’s really causing conflict, that’s when space opens up for finding a way forward.

Being human means connection — and disconnection

As humans, we are wired for connection. Relationships — whether professional or personal — are built through many small acts over time: communication, trust, shared understanding.

But being human also means we make mistakes. It can take years to build a relationship, and sometimes just one incident, misstep, or misunderstanding to knock it off course. A poorly handled conversation at work. A family disagreement that never quite healed. Something left unsaid.

The conversations we avoid are so often the very conversations we need

There often comes a point where a conversation is needed to bring a relationship — whether with a colleague, a partner, or wider family — back on course. That conversation doesn’t need to be confrontational. It doesn’t need to assign blame. But it does need to happen. Avoidance may feel protective in the short term, but over time it can turn manageable conflict into something entrenched — and far harder to resolve.

Conflict is inevitable — costly disputes really aren’t

Conflict is a normal part of working and living with other people. Most workplace disputes don’t need to end in a grievance or tribunal. Most family disputes don’t need to escalate into years of painful and expensive conflict. With the right support, people can have structured, honest conversations that allow resolution — not perfect outcomes, but workable ones.

Creating space for a way forward

My role is to help create that space. A space where conversations can happen safely. Where people can say what needs to be said — and hear what needs to be heard. Where progress is possible without winners and losers. Because very often, it’s not the conflict itself that causes the most damage —it’s the conversation that never took place. Helping you have the difficult conversation to help you move forwards is work I feel strongly about and am honoured to do. Conflidentially, professionally, humanly.

If you’re facing a workplace or family conflict and unsure how to move forward, mediation can help create clarity and calm. Sometimes, the right conversation at the right time changes everything.

Feel free to get in touch here , always happy to have an initial chat to see how I can help.