Every contractor has dealt with conflict on the job. Tight schedules, labor shortages, safety pressures and constant coordination between teams create an environment where tension can rise quickly. While conflict itself is common, how it’s handled can directly affect productivity, decision-making and safety.
That’s the focus of Stop, Collaborate and Listen: How to Navigate Conflict with Confidence, taking place Wednesday, March 4, at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. The session explores why conflict management is critical for today’s construction professionals and provides tools attendees can start using immediately.
“The goal isn’t to avoid disagreement; it’s to surface it early, before it turns into a serious conflict.”
Libby Pritchard
CONFLICT WILL COST YOU
Unresolved conflict doesn’t always show up as loud disagreements. More often, it silently drains focus, leading to missed details, avoidance and disengaged team members long before a problem escalates.
With more than a decade of experience working in the aggregates and cement industries session speaker, Libby Pritchard has witnessed firsthand how taxing conflict can be in the workplace.
“It’s a stressful environment,” Libby shares. “And when stress is high, conflict tends to be high.”
Left unaddressed, conflict pulls attention away from the work itself. Addressing it early helps teams stay focused on the task at hand and reduces the likelihood of rework, near misses or worse.
FOCUS ON PREVENTION
Conflict is easy to miss because it’s not always obvious. It can quietly diminish focus, cause frustration and weaken communication. Early warning signs may include withdrawal, sarcasm, repeated mistakes or private conversations replacing open communication.
“Any one of these things can lead to unclear (or avoided) conversations, missed details with big consequences, rework, near misses,” Libby explains, adding that the worst cases can create serious injuries or even fatalities.
Recognizing signals allows leaders to step in before frustration turns personal. Effective communication helps surface issues while they’re still about the work, not the people involved.
As Libby notes, “Most conflicts don’t start as blowups. They start as assumptions, misunderstandings or things no one quite knows how to say out loud.”
COMMUNICATE THROUGH CONFLICT
Effective communication plays a critical role in both conflict prevention and de-escalation. When teams trust that concerns will be handled constructively, they’re more likely to speak up.
If trust and communication are strong, issues are addressed before becoming personal. It’s what allows a crew member to question something, flag a near miss or raise concerns without consequences.
“The goal isn’t to avoid disagreement; it’s to surface it early, before it turns into a serious conflict,” Libby advises.
The best kind of conflict is the kind that never escalates, and the right preventative methods make this possible.
NAVIGATING CONFLICT WHEN IT HAPPENS
Once tensions arise, de-escalation becomes essential. Slowing down, creating space and separating facts from assumptions can help turn reactions into productive conversations.
“When emotions spike, the brain shifts into reaction mode, which makes clear thinking harder,” Libby explains.
When there’s reassurance that conflict or an honest mistake won’t lead to consequences, people react differently.
That could be laborer saying something feels off about a lift, a plant operator pointing out a shortcut that’s becoming routine or a crew member flagging a near miss instead of keeping quiet to avoid friction.
People are far more likely to raise concerns in a psychologically safe environment where conflict is handled constructively.
Libby encourages people to “go awkward early,” because stepping out of your comfort zone is better than facing a serious problem later.
WHAT ATTENDEES WILL TAKE AWAY
Libby’s session at CONEXPO-CON/AGG will provide concrete tools people can use immediately, both on and off the jobsite. A range of scenarios will be shared with helpful strategies for every attendee, whether they’ve faced conflict or are focused on preventing it.
“No theory overload,” Libby says, “just tools that work in the real world.”
Attendees can expect more information on:
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Preventative methods to avoid conflict
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Techniques for de-escalating tense moments
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Strategies for identifying the root causes of recurring conflict
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The role of conflict management in a safe workplace
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How conflict resolution skills can be strengthened
The session reinforces that conflict management is a skill, not a personality trait. It’s a reminder that the right conversations, handled early and with intention, can keep projects moving forward.
Join Libby to explore conflict resolution strategies in the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 session Stop, Collaborate and Listen: How to Navigate Conflict with Confidence.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/ERICKSON STOCK
