This episode introduces special guest Charles Irvine, who proposes a provocative idea: Conflict is our greatest natural resource.

Key Discussion Points

The Problem with Denial: Jimmy, James and Charles discuss how much time, energy, and resource people dedicate to denying the existence of conflict or avoiding it, leading to a "long tail of conflict" through rumination and anxiety.

The Water Analogy: Charles uses the analogy of water—an essential resource that can nurture or destroy—to explain that, while conflict can be destructive, it must be channelled and worked with rather than demonised or avoided.

Conflict vs. Consensus: James raises the point that the opposite of conflict, consensus, can lead to groupthink, which is dangerous for organisations. Charles adds that people often withhold their genuine opinions to pursue consensus, resulting in decisions that lack genuine buy-in.

Benefits of Channelling Conflict: When channelled properly, the benefits include:

• Tapping into the thinking, wisdom, and expertise of others.
• Saving time by dealing with issues directly, leading to more effective meetings (citing statistics that at least 40% of management time is spent dealing with dysfunctional relationships and poorly made decisions).
• Improving relationships by fostering honesty and robust conversation.

Shifting the Mindset: Charles recommends two key approaches for changing the negative perception of conflict:

• Be Gentle: Be less critical of yourself and others, recognising that no one is perfectly skilled at managing conflict.
• Talk About Conflict Before It Happens: Have a team discussion about what a healthy conflict culture means for you.

The Fifth Province: Charles draws on Irish mythology—the Fifth Province—as a strategy for managing past or present conflict. It is a metaphorical space where participants can temporarily leave their "weapons" (resentment, egos, fight) at the door to have an open conversation. The goal is to free the mind enough to talk, knowing that the dynamic will shift, and they will not leave the same way they entered.

The Elephant's Peg: Charles uses the analogy of a circus elephant tied to a tiny wooden peg to illustrate how people are held back by assumptions and limiting narratives built up over time about the risks of engaging in conflict.

Listen in and decide if conflict really is our greatest natural resource.

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Building on their previous discussion, this episode explores the second half of Elana’s Adaptable Team framework, focusing on two key areas: the learning rhythm within teams and the dynamics of team leadership.

Elana shares practical insights on how high-performing teams create habits of reflective learning—emphasising the importance of regularly pausing to consider not just what the team is doing, but how they are working together. The conversation covers the value of small, frequent moments of reflection and how they can drive both individual and organisational growth.

The episode also delves into the role of leadership, highlighting that it is not just a position but a role that any team member can take up. Elana discusses the importance of intentionality, feedback, and clarity in leadership, and how these factors contribute to a team’s ability to adapt and perform at a high level.

Throughout the episode, real-world examples illustrate both the challenges and benefits of fostering a culture of learning and intentional leadership. The discussion is relevant for anyone interested in team development, organisational performance, or leadership practice.

Listen for a thoughtful, practical exploration of what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams in today’s organisations.

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In the latest episode of "A Job Done Well," James Lawther and Jimmy Barber confront a polarising topic: Process Improvement. They tackle the central debate—is it essential for organisational health, or simply bureaucratic overhead?

1. The Core Conflict: Necessity vs. Bureaucracy

Jimmy admits to a strong aversion to "process," associating it with endless documentation. James argues the opposite: that effective processes are the indispensable structures supporting successful businesses. The hosts explore the common resistance to process and why, despite its reputation, it remains fundamental to achieving results.

2. Actions for Better Processes

The episode provides eight practical rules for teams aiming to improve how they work, focusing on impact, observation, and customer value. Key points include:

• Design with Purpose: Define what the customer wants before designing the process.
• Observe Reality: Go beyond documentation; understand what is really happening.
• Focus on Impact: Use data to prioritise the problems that matter most.
• Limit Mapping: Map only for understanding and improvement, you don’t have to document everything.
• Cross-Silo View: Recognise that processes interact across the organisation.
• Make it Easy: Design processes to make the desired action easy to perform.
• Prioritise Value: Focus on speed and quality first; cost savings will follow.
• Remember the People: Processes must serve the people who execute them, not the other way around.

3. Why Listen?

Whether you are sceptical or a proponent, this episode offers a clear perspective on transforming performance. Listen to challenge your assumptions and get actionable strategies for creating better workflows for your team and customers.

Tune in to the full episode now. For further discussion, reach out to the hosts at Jimmy@jobdonewell.com or James@jobdonewell.com.

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