Ep 212, Us vs. Them at Work? There’s a Better Way

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Laura Kriska. Together we explore:

• Seeing and breaking down silos at work
• Asking: What are we actually trying to achieve together?
• The power of superordinate goals
• The four stages of trust
• Turning colleagues into trusted colleagues
• We-building instead of division

Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration

Laura Kriska is a Harvard Business Review contributor, TEDx speaker, and the author of three books on trust, culture, and collaboration, including The Business of WE, The Accidental Office Lady, and her newest work, focused on practical trust-building in today’s organizations. Her article in Harvard Business Review, published in November 2024, was recently selected for a special edition to be released in May 2026.

Her career began at age 22 as the first American woman to work in Honda Motor Company’s Tokyo headquarters, an experience that launched a 30+ year career helping global teams, leaders, and organizations close the “us vs. them” gaps that quietly erode performance, culture, and results.

At a time when workplaces feel more divided than ever—across culture, politics, generations, functions, hybrid vs. in-office, and identity—Laura works with organizations worldwide on what actually creates change. Her approach goes beyond slogans, focusing instead on research-backed, practical actions that measurably build trust. Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and highlighted by platforms such as Seth Godin’s ChangeThis.

Laura’s life’s work centers on inspiring what she calls a “WE-building revolution,” moving people beyond awareness into meaningful action that narrows the gaps holding teams and communities back.

Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

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