People management consists of a fair amount of mediation and diplomacy, and you can’t expect to get the hang of it right away. You’re in the middle of a lot now. Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather). Holding tension takes restraint. Amy B and Kelsey interview Amy G about the types of conflict that new managers should expect to handle, as well as options for responding. They talk through real experiences and common scenarios. Like that time Kelsey needed to tell a direct report they were falling short of her expectations (but didn’t end up saying anything). Or that time Amy G started reporting to a friend. They also give guidance for intervening or not when team members are arguing and for discreetly clueing your group in about the office politics going on. Resources: HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo “4 Triggers Cause the Majority of Team Conflicts,” by Benjamin Laker and Vijay Pereira “You’re a Leader Now. Not Everyone is Going to Like You.” by Martin G. Moore “Navigating Conflict,” by Women at Work Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org

Part of Olivia’s job is to facilitate communication and cooperation between her former boss and senior management. Since Olivia transitioned from being a direct report to a liason, her former boss has been shutting her out of precisely the conversations she’s supposed to be supporting. In addition to excluding her, her former boss often demeans her and dodges her attempts to reset the relationship and connect like they used to. Olivia’s concerned that this politicking is undermining her reputation and will jeopardize her chances of being promoted. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? In this episode, Amy G talks with Olivia about her situation and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end, Olivia knows what she needs to do to get her former boss to see her as a partner, regain a seat at the table — and politik in a way that benefits the entire team.. Resources: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) by Amy Gallo “Playing Office Politics Without Selling Your Soul,” by Robert Kaiser et al. “Office Politics Don’t Have to Be Toxic,” by Madeleine Wyatt and Elena Doldor “Navigating Office Politics When There Is No Office,” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Dorie Clark Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org

Amy B and Amy G offer advice on navigating leadership without formal authority, handling difficult decisions as a first time manager, dealing with a difficult boss, starting fresh after a toxic job, and navigating organizational subculture and building trust. They provide practical strategies and insights to help listeners overcome workplace challenges and navigate various professional situations.