Kim Faircloth & Dawn Bedlivy: The Hidden Power of Healthy Conflict

Dr. Kim Faircloth and attorney Dawn Bedlivy have each spent over 30 years helping leaders turn tension into transformation. Kim brings deep expertise in mediation, leadership coaching, and HR strategy, while Dawn specializes in alternative dispute resolution and conflict systems design. Together, they’ve trained thousands of professionals to navigate high-stakes workplace conflicts with confidence. Get ready for a masterclass in resolving disputes, strengthening teams, and creating a culture where healthy conflict drives growth!

In this episode, Wendi, Kim & Dawn discuss:

• What “healthy conflict” really means—and how it drives innovation and growth
• Common leadership mistakes when navigating workplace conflict
• Why conflict coaching and early intervention are crucial leadership tools
• The SORTED and HERE models: actionable frameworks for addressing disputes
• The role of HR in building a culture of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety

Key Takeaways:

• Conflict isn’t something to fear or manage away—it’s the fertile ground where creativity, innovation, and meaningful change take root.
• Trust in leadership is often forged not through quick fixes but through the steady presence of curiosity, competence, and the courage to delay reactive responses.
• With the SORTED framework, complex emotional narratives are transformed into structured insights, empowering leaders to engage thoughtfully and effectively.
• By stepping beyond traditional HR roles, professionals become strategic catalysts, using coaching and mediation to reshape workplace culture from the inside out.
• Innovation is shown to thrive in environments that welcome constructive tension, where non-conformity is not a threat but a spark for better solutions.

“Conflict is the root of all change… when those perspectives sit side by side, something new is trying to emerge.” - Kim Faircloth

Connect with Kim Faircloth & Dawn Bedlivy:

Website: https://conflictsparkschange.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-faircloth-phd-acc-sphr-shrm-scp-8b57962a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-bedlivy/

Kim & Dawn’s Book: https://conflictsparkschange.com/book/

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368

Email: [e-mail]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.