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We explore the future of communication through the lens of conflict, with Lena Morgan, former midwife turned conflict resolution specialist. Zoë shares updates from Planet Human, reflecting on the scathing insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer and her return from the Australian Alpine Walking Track. The Kickstarter for her latest book, Power Games, is on the horizon.
Then we welcome Lena Morgan, creator of The Fight Languages. Lena unpacks how understanding our instinctive conflict responses can turn tension into connection. Drawing on her experience in high-stress environments, she shares how organisations can transform culture by decoding these ‘fight languages.’
This episode delves into how somatic intelligence, leadership presence, and emotional fluency are crucial in today’s polarised environments.
Planet Human
Join the Power Games advance notice here.
Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
The State of Trust – Insights from the Edelman Trust Barometer revealing deepening societal divides, institutional distrust, and the critical role leaders must play in restoring confidence.
Back from the Alpine Track – Reflections (post-recording) on completing the Australian Alpine Walking Track and what it means for endurance, mindset, and recovery.
Power Games & Kickstarter Launch – Behind-the-scenes of Zoë’s upcoming book Power Games, the Kickstarter campaign, and why understanding workplace power dynamics is vital.
Assuming Self-Interest, Not Good Intent – A powerful reframe for navigating relationships and politics in high-stakes leadership environments.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
How can we turn emotionally charged moments into meaningful connection?
What’s your default response in conflict—and how does it impact your leadership?
When was the last time you stepped out of a fight early, with intention?
What can tension teach us about values, boundaries, and communication?
How do we build cultures where healthy conflict is not just allowed, but encouraged?
Lena Morgan reflects on:
The Five Fight Languages – A practical framework for decoding conflict responses: igniter, amplifier, negotiator, analyzer, and extinguisher.
Conflict as Information – Reframing tension as valuable insight into what matters most to individuals and teams.
Somatic Tools for Resolution – How body-based techniques can help leaders pause, regulate, and return to dialogue with clarity.
Leading Through Tension – Why understanding your own reactivity is the first step to building a resilient team culture.
Fighting Well at Work – Tools and mindsets that transform reactive conflict into productive communication.
Key Quotes
"Assume self-interest, not good intent. That’s how we keep eyes wide open and hearts open." – Zoë Routh
"Conflict is information—it tells us what matters most to people." – Lena Morgan
"We all stay in the fight too long. The real skill is knowing when to pause and pivot." – Lena Morgan
Questions Explored
What are the five fight languages and how do they show up in teams?
How can leaders manage their own conflict response before addressing others’?
Why is somatic intelligence essential in high-stakes conversations?
How can we better support extinguishers, amplifiers, and analyzers in a workplace?
Take Action
Reflect on your own leadership assumptions and challenge them with new perspectives.
Explore ways to bring diverse perspectives into your workplace—whether through book clubs, travel experiences, or deeper engagement with different cultural narratives.
Start small: Have your team research governance models in different countries or visit a restaurant from a culture they’re unfamiliar with and engage in meaningful conversations.
Tip of the Week
Notice your personal conflict pattern. Are you an igniter, amplifier, negotiator, analyzer, or extinguisher?
Use Lena’s techniques to pause and pivot—whether it’s through movement, silence, or strategic escape.
Open dialogue with your team about how they experience tension. Use the fight language framework to foster mutual understanding.
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Theme
00:23 Edelman Trust Barometer Report
01:30 Restoring Trust in Systems
02:36 Positive Aspects in Australia
03:27 Personal Update and Upcoming Projects
04:24 Assuming Good Intent in Conflict
05:24 Exploring Power Games and Self-Interest
08:25 Interview with Lena Morgan: Fight Languages
16:25 Understanding Different Fight Languages
22:44 Understanding the Analyzer's Perspective
23:26 Introducing the Extinguishers
24:41 Navigating Mixed Fight Languages
26:10 Starting with Your Own Fight Language
27:22 Techniques for Managing Fight Responses
29:45 Handling Different Fight Languages
35:51 The Fast Three Questions
37:34 The Importance of Conflict in Relationships and Business
38:24 Conclusion and Resources
About Lena Morgan
"The greatest gift we can give ourselves is to feel understood." Lena Morgan is the creator and author of The Fight Languages, a powerful conflict resolution system that equips leaders with the tools to help everyone thrive.
With a background in guiding individuals through high-stakes decisions, she understands how effective communication shapes successful teams and organizations.
Today, she partners with businesses and organizations to build cultures where everyone feels understood. This strong communication creates high-trust companies, leading to better collaboration, productivity, and success for all.
Learn more at fightlanguages.com
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223 Author and entrepreneur Paul Hargreaves’ leadership principles for purpose before profit
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About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.