The Right Way to Handle Conflict When Someone Is Clearly Wrong
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
Release Date: 08/26/2025
The Right Way to Handle Conflict When Someone Is Clearly Wrong
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
In this power-packed episode of The Business Mechanic Show, Vaughn Sigmon uncovers the hidden fears behind why managers avoid difficult conversations—and gives you a bulletproof playbook for how to overcome them. From confronting an underperforming direct report to correcting a peer’s mistake, Vaughn explains how to step into these tough moments without triggering defensiveness or losing trust. You’ll learn the top 10 psychological blocks that cause avoidance and the exact dialogue strategies to lead through it with calm, curiosity, and authority. If you've ever avoided a tough...
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Own It: Leadership Through Ownership
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
In this episode of The Business Mechanic Show, the focus is all about real leadership—starting where excuses stop. It's a no-nonsense call to managers and leaders who are tired of feeling like they’re running an adult daycare. The message? Leadership isn’t about blame—it’s about ownership. And if you want better outcomes, stronger teams, and real respect, you’ve got to stop pointing fingers and start taking responsibility. This episode tackles the instinct to deflect and protect your ego when things go wrong. But growth, loyalty, and high performance don’t come from...
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How to Start Tough Conversations Without Triggering a Blow Up
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
How to Start Tough Conversations Without Triggering a Blow Up 📌 Episode Summary Most leaders avoid difficult conversations—and it’s costing them more than they realize. In this episode of The Business Mechanic Show, Vaughn Sigmon reveals why managers procrastinate tough talks, how silence signals approval of bad behavior, and the exact 3-step framework to handle any hard conversation with clarity, confidence, and calm. You’ll learn the psychology behind defensiveness, the Gallup data that proves employees want more feedback—not less—and why switching from monologue to...
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Stop Inventing Intentions
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
What if the biggest obstacle to a productive conversation… was the story in your head? In this powerful episode, the curtain gets pulled back on one of the most damaging habits in leadership: assuming intent. From ghosted emails to pushback in meetings, it’s easy to jump to conclusions. But when leaders start conversations like prosecutors instead of partners, trust erodes and productivity dies. The episode walks through how these mental shortcuts—called emotional reasoning—fuel defensiveness and kill collaboration. You’ll learn how to replace snap judgments with curiosity, defuse...
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How to Have Difficult Conversations Without Making These Three Big Mistakes
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
In this episode of the Business Mechanic Show, the three hidden layers of every difficult conversation are broken down with precision. What often starts as a simple discussion about performance or behavior can quickly escalate when deeper emotions and identity concerns go unrecognized. This episode dives deep into why most managers mishandle tough conversations—and how to shift from reactive manager to confident, emotionally intelligent leader. Listeners will explore the three essential layers beneath every challenging interaction: what happened, what was felt, and how identity was impacted....
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Why Most Managers Have Poor Outcomes From Difficult Conversations
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
This episode cuts straight to the heart of why difficult conversations so often go sideways for managers. It’s not just about saying the wrong thing—it’s about starting from the wrong mindset. Managers either avoid the talk entirely or come in too hot, trying to prove a point instead of seeking clarity. The result? Trust erodes, engagement drops, and the issue never really gets fixed. You’ll learn why your approach to tough conversations either builds connection or creates disconnection—and how to shift from defensiveness to curiosity. This episode introduces a better framework...
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How To Disagree Without Being A Jerk
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
Disagreements are inevitable—but conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. In this episode, you’ll learn how to handle tough conversations with calm, clarity, and confidence. This isn’t about avoiding conflict—it’s about navigating it with emotional intelligence and real leadership. The conversation covers practical steps to remain in control, de-escalate tension, and respond with intention instead of impulse. You’ll discover why so many managers struggle to lead in heated moments—and what you can do to become the voice of reason when emotions run high. Learn to pause, stay...
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How to Have Productive Conversations Without Losing Your Cool
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
In this episode of The Business Mechanic Show, we unpack what it really takes to navigate difficult conversations without losing your cool. This isn’t about walking in with a perfect script or powering through on assumptions. It’s about letting go of the need to be right—and embracing the discipline to actually listen, lead, and respond with clarity. The episode walks through a proven framework to help leaders avoid emotional landmines, reduce resistance, and create lasting influence through productive dialogue. You’ll learn how to stay calm when emotions run high, how to set up...
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How Real Leaders Win Trust and Crush Difficult Conversations - Shut Up and Listen
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
If your team has gone quiet—less feedback, less engagement, less energy—it’s not a people problem, it’s a leadership issue. And it almost always comes back to one skill: listening. This episode flips the script on how most managers communicate. Too many are addicted to the sound of their own voice. Real leadership isn’t about telling. It’s about tuning in. When you learn to shut up and listen, you unlock buy-in, boost ownership, and crush difficult conversations without crushing your people. He reveals the subtle red flags your team throws when they don’t feel heard. You’ll...
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You Don't Get What You Preach—You Get What You Tolerate
The Business Mechanic Podcast with Vaughn Sigmon
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info_outlineIn this power-packed episode of The Business Mechanic Show, Vaughn Sigmon uncovers the hidden fears behind why managers avoid difficult conversations—and gives you a bulletproof playbook for how to overcome them.
From confronting an underperforming direct report to correcting a peer’s mistake, Vaughn explains how to step into these tough moments without triggering defensiveness or losing trust. You’ll learn the top 10 psychological blocks that cause avoidance and the exact dialogue strategies to lead through it with calm, curiosity, and authority.
If you've ever avoided a tough conversation because you were worried about conflict, emotion, or saying the wrong thing—this episode will flip your approach forever.
And yes—when someone is flat-out wrong, Vaughn will show you how to fix it without blowing up the relationship.
💡 This is essential listening for anyone who leads people.
🎯 Stick around to the end—there’s a simple 3-part checklist that turns you from a reactive manager into a respected leader.
📕 Want to go deeper? Download Vaughn’s free book The Roadmap to Difficult Conversations—link in the show notes.
⏱ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Avoiding difficult conversations = approving poor performance
01:35 – What you don’t say speaks louder than what you do
02:58 – Fear is the root cause: False Expectations Appearing Real
04:25 – Top 10 psychological fears that cause avoidance
04:30 – #1: Fear of conflict
05:05 – #2: Fear of damaging the relationship
05:39 – #3: Fear of being seen as the bad guy
06:20 – #4: Fear of not knowing what to say
07:00 – #5: Fear of emotional reactions
07:36 – #6: Fear of losing control of your own emotions
08:05 – #7: Fear of disagreement or rejection
08:35 – #8: Fear of HR or higher-ups getting involved
09:25 – #9: Fear of crushing morale
10:15 – #10: Fear of confronting your own leadership gaps
11:05 – The shift: They’re clearly wrong… but steamrolling them doesn’t work
12:20 – Cognitive dissonance and ego protection
13:05 – Validate first, guide later
14:00 – Sample phrases to invite their perspective
15:35 – Don’t assume intent—ask first
16:25 – Tactical empathy and the Chris Voss approach
17:25 – What to say when emotions run hot (Jefferson Fisher line)
18:10 – Real-world example: missed deadline + finger pointing
19:15 – Get their story, then guide the correction
20:40 – Invite the shift: “Want me to walk you through how I see it?”
21:30 – Focus on clarity, not control
22:20 – Language that builds trust, not shame
23:15 – Growth > Perfection. Turn mistakes into teachable moments
24:15 – The 3-part leadership checklist: Connect. Guide. Don’t react.
25:05 – Closing: Subscribe, share, and download the free book
🔗 Resources
📘 Download the Free eBook: The Roadmap to Difficult Conversations
🌐 Explore Our Leadership Programs: rdltraining.com
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