How to Handle Conflict at Work Before It Gets Ugly with Irvine Nugent

How to Handle Conflict at Work Before It Gets Ugly with Irvine Nugent

From Hard Hat to CEO with Chris Gilman by Chris Gilman

May 7, 2026 · 32 min · Season 1 · Episode 180

About this episode

Chris Gilman talks with Irvine Nugent about handling workplace conflict with courage and care.

What if the hardest conversation you keep avoiding is the one your team needs most? In this episode of Hard Hat to CEO, Chris G talks with Irvine Nugent of Conflict EQ about how leaders can face conflict with more courage, care, and calm. Irvin shares how growing up in Northern Ireland shaped his work, and how one painful leadership moment taught him the cost of avoiding hard talks. They discuss why conflict spreads through a company, how pressure affects our reactions, and why listening can change the whole tone of a conversation. This episode is full of real stories and simple steps to help leaders build trust, stay grounded, and lead with more clarity. Dr. Irvine Nugent is a leadership and conflict expert who helps leaders turn tension into connection. Drawing on lived experience from Northern Ireland, deep expertise in emotional intelligence, and senior leadership roles, he empowers individuals and teams to navigate conflict constructively and lead with clarity, resilience, and impact. Connect with Dr. Irvine: Website: https://www.conflicteq.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irvinenugent Episode highlights (0:00) Intro (0:48) Irvine’s background and Conflict EQ…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Gilman

Guest: Irvine Nugent

Topics covered

  • conflict resolution
  • leadership
  • emotional intelligence
  • communication
  • trust building

Keywords

  • conflict
  • leadership
  • communication
  • emotional intelligence
  • trust

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Conflict EQ

Places: Northern Ireland

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