03/20/2025
Workplace Conflict & Trust: When Sue Takes Your Stapler (Again)
Work would be great if it weren’t for… other people, right?
We’ve all been there: passive-aggressive emails, weird tension in meetings, or that one coworker who “forgets” to CC you on literally everything. Welcome to the complicated world of work conflict and trust—where your job description didn’t mention emotional rollercoasters, but here you are, holding on.
Here’s the mental health truth bomb: conflict at work is normal. Trust doesn’t appear magically after a team-building ropes course. It takes communication, patience, and sometimes—deep breaths in the breakroom.
So what helps?
• Assume good intent (even when your brain whispers, “They hate me.” They probably just need coffee).
• Speak up early—minor annoyances grow into big, spicy blowups if left to simmer.
• Boundaries are your BFF—you can be professional without being a doormat.
And trust? It’s not built by never disagreeing. It’s built by disagreeing respectfully, fixing missteps, and sometimes admitting you were hangry during that budget meeting.
Remember: healthy teams aren't perfect—they’re just honest. So the next time things get tense, try talking it out instead of typing in ALL CAPS.
Your nervous system (and your stapler) will thank you.
