Brave Leadership in Public Agencies: Conflict Resolution & Team Building Tools

Jilian Houghton
May 4
3 min read

Are YOU Ready to Rumble?

Navigating difficult conversations, meetings, or workplace tensions can feel like rumbling through the mud on an off-road adventure—messy, uncertain, and challenging. Yet for leaders, especially in public agencies, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations, the ability to lead through conflict is a critical skill.

Whether you're building effective teams, managing interdepartmental challenges, or guiding staff through change, your ability to lead with courage is essential. Conflict is inevitable—but with the right tools, leaders can turn conflict into connection, growth, and innovation.

Why Brave Leadership Matters in Public Sector Training

Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead (2018), based on interviews with 150 executives, found a common thread across all successful leaders: bravery and courage. Leadership today—particularly in the public sector—requires more than just knowledge. It requires the heart and discipline to lead through uncertainty and conflict.

Here are the four tools of brave leadership that every public agency leader and team builder should master:

1. The Strength of Vulnerability: A Core Skill in Effective Communication

It may surprise some, but vulnerability is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use. In high-stakes conversations or moments of conflict, vulnerability means showing up with honesty and openness, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Instead of “armoring up” with blame or avoidance, brave leaders acknowledge uncertainty and lead with curiosity.

💡 Conflict Resolution Tip: Use language that invites understanding. Try phrases like:

“I’m curious about…”
“Tell me more…”
“Help me understand…”
“Tell me why this doesn’t work for you…”

2. The Guiding Light of Values: Clarity in Decision-Making

Brave leaders in public agencies make value-driven decisions. When you're clear about your values—and practice them consistently—you respond instead of react. This builds psychological safety in teams and drives collaborative problem solving.

Practical applications for team building and leadership:

Speak and act in alignment with core values.
Set and communicate clear boundaries and expectations.
Deliver feedback with integrity and respect.
Hold others accountable while assuming positive intent.
Take reflective breaks to avoid reactive decisions.

3. Braving Trust: The Foundation of Effective Teams

Trust is built in small moments—brave leaders trust themselves and their teams. They delegate, empower, and encourage mutual accountability.

Here’s how to build a trust-filled team culture:

Be reliable. Do what you say you will.
Own mistakes and actively correct them.
Respect confidentiality and privacy.
Ask for help when needed.
Set and honor boundaries.

💬 Leadership Insight: Trust isn't a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have in conflict resolution. Without trust, difficult conversations become personal battles rather than team solutions.

4. Resiliency: Prepare to Rise—Before the Fall

Mistakes, setbacks, and conflict are part of the leadership journey. But how leaders respond to them defines organizational health.

Too often, teams try to recover from conflict without the proper tools. That’s like teaching someone to skydive after they’ve hit the ground. Instead, brave leaders equip their teams in advance with the communication skills and mindset to navigate tough moments.

Resilient leaders:

Normalize mistakes as part of growth.
Encourage open dialogue about failure.
Foster a culture of continuous learning.
Model calm, clear-headed responses during challenges.

Conflict Resolution Starts with Courage

Brave leadership is not about avoiding discomfort—it’s about embracing it with integrity, curiosity, and compassion. Public agencies that can actually embrace it create workplaces that truly work for everyone.

Remember:

Ask more questions than you give answers.
Assume your team members are doing their best.
Own your role in every situation.
Listen with the same passion you wish to be heard.

Ready to Rumble?

Enjoy your newfound resiliency in the off-road adventures of leadership. With the strength of vulnerability, the clarity of values, the foundation of trust, and the power of preparation, you're equipped to face conflict—and grow stronger from it.