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Conflict Owner's Manual

Yes, we are your conflict tech support. We help you improve conflict competencies you already have. Our logo is a dandelion because conflict is like a weed invading your garden. You want to know how to manage it, and keep it from spreading. In each episode, we give you one real life conflict competency you can use right away to improve your skills, which will also improve the quality of your relationships.

Dr. Deborah Sword is a specialist in conflict analysis and management. Tyson Bankert is a community facilitator and artist. We have decades of experience helping people improve their conflict competencies.

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Conflict Owner's Manual

Three questions when someone disappoints you 143

July 05, 2026 • Dr. Deborah Sword, with co-host Tyson Bankert • Season 8 • Episode 143

0:00 | 4:53

If you are disappointed in someone, it's tempting to blame them for not meeting your expectations. The conflict competent response is to ask yourself these questions, which will improve the quality of your relationship. Is your expectation reasonable; what are you asking the other person to do or change; what do you agree on?

When you and the other person understand each other, whether you agree or not, you create more than you have alone.

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Dr. Deborah Sword is a conflict specialist with decades of experience and training to share.

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