Priya Parker

Join us for a conversation with Priya Parker on how to approach conflict skill, care, and purpose. Drawing on themes from her work on gathering, dialogue, and belonging, Parker will explore why conflict is not the opposite of connection, but often a necessary path toward deeper trust, stronger communities, and meaningful culture change. The conversation will examine why today’s tools for managing conflict so often fall short, how groups move through moments of rupture and repair, and what leaders need to understand about power, exclusion, and transition. Parker will also share practical insights into the habits of “artful fighters,” from naming the real fight and surfacing hidden assumptions to knowing when a conversation belongs online, in person, or not at all. Grounded in real-world examples, this session will offer a fresh framework for thinking about disagreement as a vital, moral, and creative part of group life. Attendees will leave with concrete ideas for navigating tension more wisely—in teams, organizations, and the relationships that matter most.

In her new book, The Art of Fighting, Priya Parker asserts the following thesis: people don’t fight about what they don’t care about. Many of us struggle with conflict: we want to believe that a fight will go away on its own, or that ongoing disagreements are insurmountable challenges with no path forward. In reality, conflict is an opportunity to reassert a group’s identity and vision. To grow as a group, we must shift our mental model from “conflict as dysfunction” to “conflict as a high-performance culture-building” skill. In this highly interactive session, Parker teaches audiences how to practice low-stakes conflict to build strength and skills for higher-stakes fights. Parker helps attendees self-diagnose their own conflict style and teaches how it impacts leadership style. Crucially, she provides an environment where attendees can disagree in a way that feels fun, humorous, and safe. Parker uses decades of research, real-world examples, and dynamic exercises to demystify conflict and reframe it as a skill that all high-performing teams should build. Attendees will leave with tools, examples, and real-world experience that will allow them to build a culture of healthy heat within their teams, approach conflict with openness and curiosity, and re-frame a discomfort with conflict as an opportunity for progress.

Priya Parker, a seasoned conflict resolution facilitator, educator, and researcher, wants to challenge the routines and conventions that turn well-meaning gatherings into lackluster events. In provocative, funny, and warm moderated conversations, Parker provides candid and lens-shifting advice on the principles of meaningful connection. Drawing from her 25 years as a facilitator and her expertise in conflict resolution and group dynamics, she shares practical strategies for fostering engagement, belonging, and innovation. Parker reveals how thoughtful design, purpose-driven invitations, and inclusive facilitation can turn any meeting or event into a powerful experience. Whether planning a corporate retreat, an offsite for non-profit leaders, or a sales conference, attendees leave Parker’s sessions with the tools to create gatherings that inspire, connect, and drive lasting impact.