“This is such an important book for anyone in the workplace. Conflict is often seen as taboo in an office environment but the right kind of conflict leads to progress. Smart Conflict helps leaders ensure this uncomfortable topic becomes easier to embrace and manage” - Charlie Rudd, Group CEO, Publicis Groupe

"Working closely with Founders operating in fast-moving environments of innovation and change, I've learned that conflict is not only inevitable, it's essential. But too often, conflict is either ignored or mishandled, leading to missed opportunities for growth and transformation.

 Smart Conflict is the most insightful and practical resource I've found for navigating the reality of everyday conflict in the workplace. It offers a powerful framework for having the difficult conversations we tend to avoid, along with transformative reframes, deep insights, and actionable tools. This book doesn't just explain conflict - it equips you to handle it with clarity, transparency, and confidence. You can put it to use immediately." - Eleanor Ford, CPO, Zinc VC

“Smart Conflict is a brilliantly practical playbook for anyone trying to build a culture of high support and high challenge. Hard conversations are essential and this book helps you get them right. As someone short on time, I love that it's structured for busy people, so you can find what you need when you need it. A book I know I’ll return to often" -Rebecca Passmore, Group COO, PureGym

“Smart Conflict is a timely, evidence-based guide for leaders seeking to build the elusive high-performing culture. With practical tools at every step the book is an essential read for every manager in today's world of work”. - Professor Jonathan Passmore, Henley Business School, UK & Senior Vice President, EZRA Coaching, LHH.

“Smart Conflict is grounded in the latest research, packed with practical tools, and is refreshingly readable. It's a must-read for every leader who wants to build high-performing collaborative teams that can share uncomfortable truths effectively" - Vinay Abrol, COO, Liontrust Asest Management PLC

“In fashion, where creativity, pace and pressure constantly intersect, navigating relationships can be as complex as the work itself. Smart Conflict offers a rare combination of emotional intelligence and practical strategy, supporting leaders to approach difficult moments with clarity, composure and confidence. The Five R model blends insight and empathy in a way that is both empowering and actionable. This book is not just about managing conflict; it’s about transforming it into a leadership strength. Clear, considered and deeply reassuring, it’s a timely resource for building stronger, more resilient teams.” - Claire Hillard, Group Senior Sustainability Manager, Selfridges Group

“This is the kind of book that if it had been published 50 years ago, we might have a lot fewer problems in the world. Inhale this book and you will become highly skilled in navigating workplace conflict” - Ben Keene, Co-Founder, Rebel Book Club & Raaise

"Reading this book is a real lightbulb moment - whether you're an experienced business leader or just beginning your career. It explains why so many of those professional interactions we chalk up as having gone badly, been uncomfortable or due to a "personality clash" result from unclear communication and poor conflict management. Exploring this hugely practical and relatable guide to hard conversations will genuinely change how you communicate for the better. It's by no means easy but it's definitely empowering." - Melanie Hayes, Managing Partner, Bethnal Green Ventures

"I love this book! In my role as a CEO of a charity, I consume a lot of books, podcasts, articles relating to leadership and management which will often have a focus on workplace relations and conflict. While I can often find something useful from these, I am equally often left feeling that the author has never worked in a real organisation in their lives, or at least not for a long time. What I really appreciate about this book is that Louise and Alice have clearly had interesting careers in which they have personally dealt with the challenges and joy that workplaces can bring. They combine this experience with a depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise that jumps out on every page. They pull together so many threads of evidence across psychology, leadership, psychotherapy, management as well as their own work in coaching to build a compelling set of principles to underpin the most critical and yet often hardest part of any workplace - the relationships within them." - Rebecca Gill, CEO, ROSA

"As a leader, reading this book has enabled me to step back and reflect on how I respond in difficult moments and how I want my team and our organisational culture to engage in tough conversations. Smart Conflict explores why we need to facilitate healthy conflict at work, as well as all the societal and personal factors that may be hindering us from doing so. It is a practical guide but also incredibly rich in context; it has genuinely inspired me to take steps to approach things differently." - Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, The Musicians’ Union

“Today’s world is full of conflict, whether in our personal or business lives. This book is packed with techniques, tools, and case-studies that Alice & Louise use to help you navigate more effectively the conflicts we face every day. It helps you handle more successfully those difficult conversations we all hate to have. It helps turn destructive, negative, and sometimes nasty conflict situations into positive healthy ones. Put simply Smart Conflict is a masterclass in how to tackle conflict well. It is a must have in any good leaders toolkit.” - Andy Hassoon, CEO, CTO Craft

"This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking practical, actionable strategies to navigate and resolve tensions in professional settings. It is clear that Alice and Louise are accomplished conflict specialists as the book combines deep expertise and personal experience with real-world insights, making it both accessible and impactful. Their guidance is not only practical and transformative, but it also has a warmth to it that most professional development books lack. A must-read for leaders and professionals at every level." - Sarah Wigington, Head of Corporate, International Law Firm