From Conflict To Compassion

Joanne Lockwood is joined by workplace culture innovator and conflict resolution expert Maria Arpa for a wide-ranging conversation about how conflict can become a route to compassion rather than retribution. Maria challenges adversarial approaches that focus on “winning” and argues for connection before correction, creating the conditions for people to be heard, receive empathy, and rebuild trust.

Together they explore the difference between debate and dialogue, and why many workplace processes escalate division by rewarding competing stories rather than shared understanding. Maria describes how mediation and facilitated dialogue can help people find a shared, factual truth, make space for emotion, and then address both the practical mechanics of a situation and how it has impacted people.

The discussion also touches on how power imbalances, psychological safety, and language shape what people feel able to say at work and in society. Joanne and Maria reflect on the impact of labels, the narrowing definition of “normal,” and why human connection and community are essential for healing and lasting change.