From Conflict to Collaboration: Taming the Four Horsemen in the Workplace

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites

SCHEDULE

11:30 Registration
11:45 Lunch
11:50 Announcements
12:00 Program
1:00 Close & Raffle

PRESENTED BY

Kasey Hill
3-Pillars Performance Group,
Partner, Executive Coach, Consultant

In personal relationships and professional teams alike, certain communication patterns are strong predictors of breakdown and dysfunction. Dr. John Gottman’s “Four Horsemen of Conflict” — Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling — describes destructive behaviors that erode trust, communication, and connection. While originally identified in the context of romantic relationships, these same patterns frequently emerge in team dynamics and can lead to toxic cultures, decreased psychological safety, and poor collaboration.

This interactive session bridges Gottman’s research with real-world workplace applications. Participants will learn how to recognize these four behaviors in themselves and others, explore the impact they have on team dynamics, and practice replacing them with healthier, more constructive communication patterns. Attendees will leave with tools to foster greater trust, accountability, and collaboration within their teams.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the Four Horsemen of Conflict and recognize how they manifest in workplace behaviors and team interactions.
• Understand the psychological and relational impact of the Four Horsemen on team cohesion, trust, and productivity.
• Learn and apply the “antidotes” to the Four Horsemen to foster healthier communication and reduce team conflict.
• Practice self-awareness and team-awareness strategies to catch these patterns early and intervene constructively.
• Strengthen a culture of psychological safety by modeling vulnerability, empathy, and accountability in team communication.

HRCI and SHRM recertification credits approved