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Oh For Food's SakeAuthor: Amy Wilkinson
The Fearless Foodie (formerly, Oh For Food's Sake) is a space for honest chats, practical tools, and the reminder that being fearless doesnt mean having it all sorted it means feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Especially when the industry we love often feels like its breaking us. If that speaks to you, have a listen. And if it hits home, rate, review, and share it with your work besties or the team WhatsApp. Because your voice matters. And fearless starts with you. Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Fearless Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Education, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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The Conflict Pattern That Could Be Holding You Back
Episode 28
Monday, 8 June, 2026
Conflict often gets treated like something to avoid. But in reality, conflict is part of collaboration, decision-making, and working with other people. In this episode, I start with a situation that will feel familiar to many people in food manufacturing and retail. You are sitting in a meeting, you have put time and effort into a project, and suddenly someone challenges your idea. Your heart rate increases. Your mind starts racing. You feel defensive, frustrated, or tempted to shut down completely. These reactions are not signs that you are bad at communication. They are human responses. I explore the Thomas-Kilmann conflict model and the five conflict styles people naturally move towards under pressure: competing, avoiding, accommodating, compromising, and collaborating. The important thing is that none of these styles are right or wrong. They all have strengths and risks. The challenge comes when we rely too heavily on one style and stop adapting to the situation in front of us. I share examples of how each style can show up inside food businesses and the impact they can have on trust, credibility, and relationships. We also explore practical shifts that can help in real-life situations. That might mean asking a question instead of withdrawing when you normally avoid conflict. It could mean holding your position a little longer if you usually accommodate everyone else. Or recognising when pushing harder is actually damaging the conversation. The aim is not to become someone different. It is about becoming more aware of your own patterns and making small adjustments that strengthen relationships and improve outcomes. I also introduce Fearless Influence as a practical way for teams to continue these conversations and better understand how conflict shapes communication and collaboration. If you want stronger conversations, healthier challenge, and more confidence in meetings, this episode is a reminder that conflict does not have to damage relationships. Handled well, it can strengthen them. Timestamps 00:00 – What happens physically when conflict shows up 01:20 – Understanding your default conflict response 03:19 – Introduction to the Thomas-Kilmann conflict model 03:40 – Competing style: strengths and risks 04:42 – Avoiding style: when it helps and when it hurts 06:12 – Accommodating style and the people-pleasing trap 07:19 – Compromising and why meeting halfway is not always best 09:27 – Collaborating and creating better outcomes 11:12 – Strengths and challenges of each style 12:04 – Practical ways to adjust your approach 15:16 – What to try in your next difficult meeting 15:54 – Why team awareness matters 16:22 – Final reflections on becoming bolder in conversations Connect with The Fearless Foodies The Fearless Foodie Newsletter straight to your inbox. No fluff, no spam. Subscribe at:https://foodies.fearlessfoodies.co.uk/podcast Connect with me here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywilkinsoncoach/ Useful Links & Support If this episode resonated, especially around communication, confidence, and navigating difficult conversations, here are a few places to continue the conversation. Fearless Influence Support designed to help individuals and teams build confidence, communicate more effectively, and create healthier conversations in food manufacturing and retail.https://fearlessfoodies.co.uk Recommended Reading Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss A practical guide to communication, negotiation, and understanding how people respond under pressure. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/1847941494 A Big Thank You to Our Sponsors IFP Labs Specialist laboratory services supporting food businesses with fast, reliable testing and technical expertise.https://www.ifp-labs.com/
