Emily here. For the past two semesters, I’ve been part of the Highlands College Leadership Institute, and I’ll admit, I’ve often felt like an imposter. Leadership hasn’t always come naturally to me, and conflict? I tend to avoid it. But here’s the twist: leaning into that discomfort has sparked unexpected growth. What if understanding your own personality—and others’—could completely change how you handle conflict? I’ve been exploring this in my leadership journey, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about turning conflict into a powerful tool for collaboration. Want to know how? Keep reading!
At Horizon Point, we’ve guided many managers and navigated our own leadership journeys. Success in management isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about building relationships, self-awareness, and continuous learning. We often share practical tips with new managers, things we wish we knew when we started. Here are five that we find particularly valuable.
Where you live shapes more than just your daily routine—it influences your happiness, health, and overall quality of life. In this guest post, Mackenzie Cottles from the Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA) explores how remote work has opened the door to choosing lifestyle over location. If you’re weighing the decision between returning to an office in a place that doesn’t feel like home or working remotely in a community that truly fits your values, what would you choose? The right move could lead to a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Context matters. When conflict erupts at work, it’s easy to focus on the outburst, not the circumstances that led to it. Take my friend’s brother—suspended without pay for lashing out after being undermined. What his boss didn’t consider? He had just lost his mother and had a child in the hospital.
As leaders, we must create space for employees to navigate stress, not just react to their missteps. Using an empowerment-based model like SBAR—situation, background, analysis, recommendations—can help de-escalate conflict and build stronger teams. How do you handle workplace conflict?
This special guest feature from the team at Nyad explores what it truly means to nourish a startup, a team, and a mission. Founders Virginia and Chris are tackling water pollution with AI-driven wastewater treatment, but their journey goes beyond technology—it’s about leadership, resilience, and fostering a culture of growth. From refining their vision through customer feedback to building a strong, mission-driven team, they’ve learned that success comes from continuous learning and community support. As they grow, they remain committed to nourishing innovation, leadership, and the world around them.