Episode Details
Back to EpisodesLead Through the Breakdown: Turning Team Conflict into Growth and Trust With Susan Asiyanbi & Kim Reynolds-Williams
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“Learning is leadership. If we can embrace our collective leadership through the lens of learning, we will go farther together.” - Susan Asiyanbi
“If you're not regularly reflecting on your leadership, it's much harder to lead others. Start with self.” – Kim Reynolds-Williams
Learn how to transform team conflict into powerful moments of growth with leadership experts Susan Asiyanbi and Kim Reynolds-Williams. This episode offers actionable strategies for fostering psychological safety, building resilient teams, and mastering the art of honest communication.
What if the moments your team avoids the most—conflict, misalignment, and tension—are actually the keys to stronger trust, innovation, and clarity?
Key Takeaway Insights and Tools
- Breakdowns Are Not Failures – They're Entry Points for Growth
Reframe team conflict as a learning opportunity to reduce fear and build cohesion.
[00:06:17] - Radically Lower the Threshold for What Counts as a Breakdown
Don’t wait for dramatic moments—address even minor tensions to prevent future fallout.
[00:07:24] - Vulnerability Builds Momentum When Reinforced
Leaders must actively model and invite vulnerability, then recognize it when it happens.
[00:15:25] - Three Pillars of Communication: Communication, Engagement, Alignment
Effective communication isn't just telling people what to do—it's engaging them and aligning on implications.
[00:31:16]
Bios:
Susan Asiyanbi is the advisor CEOs call when the stakes are high, the dynamics are complex, and the path forward isn’t obvious. A strategist, pattern recognizer, and trusted executive advisor, she helps senior leaders navigate the technical and adaptive dimensions of change— bridging strategy and culture so leadership teams don’t just move fast but move together.
Today, as CEO of The Olori Network®, she leads a team of experts who help executive leaders identify the root causes of persistent challenges, shift entrenched patterns, and align their teams to move with clarity and cohesion.
Kim Reynolds-Williams is a partner at The Olori Network, where she coaches, trains, and advises C-suite and senior leaders to unlock the full potential of their teams and organizations. A trusted thought partner on executive team effectiveness, Kim brings deep expertise in strategy, team dynamics, and leadership development—shaped by years of experience leading cross-functional teams and supporting top executives.
She is the principal architect of The Olori Network’s leadership thinking, designing practical tools, assessments, and learning experiences on topics such as decision-making, accountability, meeting culture, trust-building, and executive team design.
The Alori Network: www.alorinetwork.com
The Executive Wins Podcast features inspiring Executives who share their biggest wins.
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