How do you lead effectively when tensions are high, perspectives differ, and there are no easy answers?

Campus leaders regularly navigate difficult conversations, competing priorities, and conflicts that can strain relationships and undermine trust. Responding effectively requires more than managing the immediate disagreement. It means understanding what drives conflict, adapting your leadership approach, and recognizing when recurring challenges call for deeper changes.

Join Dr. Peter T. Coleman of Columbia University and Dr. Lisa-Marie Napoli, director of Indiana University Bloomington’s Political and Civic Engagement (PACE) Program, for a practical conversation about leading through conflict.

Drawing on Coleman’s research on conflict intelligence and systemic wisdom, alongside Napoli’s more than 30 years of experience in mediation and leadership coaching, the discussion will explore four common leadership challenges: maintaining credibility under pressure, navigating conflict across differences in authority, addressing polarizing issues within a team, and responding to conflicts that keep resurfacing.

In this webinar, you’ll learn:

• Learn the concepts of conflict intelligence and systemic wisdom
• Explore how these ideas apply to common leadership challenges in higher education
• Leave with practical strategies for making difficult conversations more constructive

Whether you're navigating tensions within your team, responding to contentious campus issues, or working to strengthen institutional trust, this conversation will offer research-informed insights and actionable strategies for your leadership practice

Featured speakers

Dr. Peter T. Coleman

Professor of Psychology and Education, Columbia University

Dr. Lisa-Marie Napoli
Director, Political and Civic Engagement (PACE) Program, Indiana University Bloomington

Moderator: Kaleigh Mrowka, PhD, Senior Director of Campus Culture Change, CDI