1d. Leadership skills for navigating conflict and tough conversations
Tracks
Stream 4
| Saturday, May 23, 2026 |
| 10:30 - 11:15 |
| Room C3.3 |
Details
This presentation explores a case study of a general practice leadership team who developed their capability to manage conflict and engage in productive discussion. Through a structured development process, the team learned to recognise the sources and patterns of conflict, manage emotional triggers, and adopt communication approaches that promote constructive outcomes. The process demonstrated that conflict, when handled well, can become a catalyst for alignment, innovation, and stronger working relationships.
Key aspects of the facilitated program include
- Identifying common sources and recurring patterns of conflict within the practice.
- Understanding how communication styles and assumptions shape team dynamics.
- Applying practical frameworks to prepare for and conduct challenging conversations.
- Using structured techniques to move from blame to collaborative problem-solving while maintaining respect and psychological safety.
Key aspects of the facilitated program include
- Identifying common sources and recurring patterns of conflict within the practice.
- Understanding how communication styles and assumptions shape team dynamics.
- Applying practical frameworks to prepare for and conduct challenging conversations.
- Using structured techniques to move from blame to collaborative problem-solving while maintaining respect and psychological safety.
Speaker
Ms Sarah Spagnardi
NSW & ACT State Manager
RACGP
Chairperson
10:30 - 11:15
Ms Anna Saunders
Executive Mentor and Leadership Consultant
Leadership Creativity
Leadership skills for navigating conflict and tough conversations
10:30 - 11:15
Anna Saunders is a highly experienced Leadership Mentor and Consultant who delivers powerful outcomes for leaders and their teams by strengthening alignment, lifting performance and enabling sustainable growth. As co-founder of Leadership Creativity, Anna brings deep commercial and people-centred leadership expertise, underpinned by a successful 20-year senior executive career in financial services, IT and telecommunications across Australia, the US and Asia.
Within the health sector, Anna works closely with General Practice owners and leadership teams to develop leadership capability, strengthen alignment & facilitate strategic planning. Leadership Creativity works with GP ownership teams across Australia, enabling Anna to support practices navigating growth, complexity and increasing demands in modern clinical environments.
Anna is known for her clarity and practical, action-oriented approach, creating safe yet challenging spaces where leaders can think differently, lead confidently and achieve meaningful, lasting results for their teams and communities.
