Conflict happens. What matters is how we interpret it and how we respond.
In this podcast episode, I share a powerful tool I experienced recently in training with Chloe O’Sullivan from War to Peace, that completely shifted how I think about disagreement, tension and challenging conversations.
The Spiral of Disempowerment™ offers a clear, practical framework to separate observable facts from assumptions, and to recognise the role we can play in maintaining conflict.
In global teams, where cultural dynamics shape how we interpret behaviour, this distinction becomes even more critical. We often move from facts to meaning at speed, and that interpretation drives our reactions. Those reactions then influence how others perceive us, creating a loop that is hard to break.
This episode walks you step by step through the four stages of The Spiral of Disempowerment™ and invites you to apply it to a real situation you are currently facing.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How to distinguish between observable behaviour and personal interpretation
- Why we so quickly move from fact to meaning in conflict
- How your reactions influence how others perceive you
- Why conflict escalates when we try to control what we cannot
- What is genuinely within your sphere of control
- How to pause and choose a different response
When we focus only on what others are doing and how they are acting, the spiral continues as we continue to react. When we focus on what we can control, our perception and our response, the dynamic shifts.
Reflection questions
- Where are you currently looping in a conflict situation?
- What assumptions are you treating as facts?
Download the The Spiral of Disempowerment™ tool below and apply it to a live situation.
If this episode resonates, I would genuinely love to hear what you discover. Message me on LinkedIn and share your reflections.
Resources:
- Download a template of the The Spiral of Disempowerment™ : https://halcyonglobal.co.uk/spiral-of-disempowerment/
- Learn more about Chloe O’Sullivan’s work, War to Peace: https://halcyonglobal.co.uk/
- Buy my book, Become a Global Leader:https://culturecuppa.com/book/
- Follow me on LinkedIn for more strategies, skills and tips: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-rennoldson
