July Webinar Recap

Click here for the link to the webinar recording!

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution with Dr. Justin Frederick

In July, BYU Connect welcomed Dr. Justin Frederick, Chief Medical Officer for Graduate and Undergraduate Medical Education at Providence St. Joseph Health, for a insightful discussion on how to navigate negotiation and conflict in professional settings. Drawing on his experience in healthcare leadership, Dr. Frederick shared practical strategies for communicating with empathy, listening with intention, and building trust, even when opinions differ. His message resonated with students and alumni preparing for leadership roles across a wide range of industries.

1) Communicating with Compassion: The Foundation of Effective Negotiation

Dr. Frederick began by reframing negotiation as an act of mutual respect. Noting that conflict is inevitable in workplace situations, he emphasized the importance of addressing tension through compassionate communication and active listening. Referencing Viktor Frankl’s idea that “between stimulus and response lies a space,” he explained that growth comes from choosing thoughtful responses instead of emotional reactions. By giving ourselves time to pause, observe, and understand the other person’s perspective, we can advocate for our own needs while honoring theirs.

He also introduced Marshall Rosenberg’s method of nonviolent communication, a four-part framework that encourages observing without judgment, identifying feelings and needs, and making respectful requests. This approach can defuse tension, encourage curiosity, and strengthen mutual understanding. Whether negotiating with a peer, supervisor, or direct report, being mindful of tone, body language, and intent helps create space for collaborative problem-solving.

2) Building and Repairing Trust in Moments of Conflict

Much of Dr. Frederick’s advice centered on trust, specifically how to build and repair trust in stressful situations. He encouraged attendees to invest in relationships before conflict arises by being vulnerable, sharing values, and assuming the best in others. When disagreements do occur, addressing them early rather than avoiding them can prevent small frustrations from growing into larger issues.

Leaders in particular play a key role in shaping the culture of a team. Dr. Frederick spoke about the power of servant leadership, drawing on Christ’s example of meeting others’ needs with humility and care. Even in moments of disagreement, people are more willing to listen and collaborate when they feel heard and respected. And when trust is broken, the path to repair is built on consistent effort, humility, and acknowledgment of harm, regardless of fault. Through sincere, ongoing engagement, leaders can create environments where conflict becomes an opportunity for growth instead of division.