291: When High Performers Clash: How Leaders Handle Team Conflict

The Way of The Wolf by Wolf Executives · Jul 21, 2026 · 6m

Episode summary introduction:

What do you do when two of your best people cannot stand each other? In this episode, Sean Barnes tackles one of the most common and most avoided challenges in leadership: high performers who crush it individually but clash every time they have to work together. Drawing from his own experience managing two top performers during the isolation and stress of the pandemic, Sean walks through a practical mediation process, meeting with each person individually to understand their frustrations, then bringing them together face to face to clear the air. He explains why…