Jen Fry

This high-impact workshop is designed for people who want to master the art of leveraging conflict as a powerful leadership tool. True leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about managing tension, balancing diverse perspectives, and transforming conflict into a source of growth rather than division. Yet, many leaders underestimate the role of conflict in shaping trust, collaboration, and performance. Handled poorly, conflict erodes morale and stalls progress. Handled well, it fuels innovation, strengthens relationships, and drives team success. This session will equip leaders with the insights, strategies, and skills to confidently engage in difficult conversations, identify their natural conflict response, and turn disagreements into opportunities for growth. Participants will hear real-world conflict scenarios and learn how to lead with clarity and control in moments of tension. Conflict shouldn’t be feared or avoided—it should be understood and harnessed.

Leadership at the senior level isn’t just about vision—it’s about execution in the face of complexity, uncertainty, and pressure. Athletic departments, by their very nature, are a hub of high-stakes decision-making where conflicts are inevitable, whether it’s between coaches, administrators, or external stakeholders. But here’s the truth: conflict doesn’t have to be a stumbling block—it can be your organization’s most powerful catalyst for growth. This session will take a deep dive into how leaders at the top can better understand and optimize their approach to conflict. Participants will explore how their personal leadership styles influence how they navigate challenges, from balancing competing departmental priorities to managing the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics. This is not just a session about conflict resolution—it’s about conflict transformation.

At the senior level, leadership is not only about delivering results but about navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, maintaining alignment across departments, and steering teams through shifting priorities. In athletic departments, where performance and pressure intersect daily, the ability to manage tough conversations is an indispensable leadership skill. These moments—whether addressing misaligned goals, handling team or staff underperformance, or facing difficult budgetary decisions—are often where leadership either breaks or builds trust. This session is designed for high-level leaders who are ready to elevate their leadership game by leaning into the hard conversations that come with the role. Participants will explore the psychology behind trust and accountability, learning to foster an atmosphere where teams feel empowered and valued while maintaining high standards of performance and integrity.