# How New Managers Can Handle Conflict Between Direct Reports

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/how-new-managers-can-handle-conflict-between-direct-reports
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/how-new-managers-can-handle-conflict-between-direct-reports.md
Podcast: [New Manager Conversations with Fexingo: First 90 Days, Managing Former Peers, and Leadership Basics](https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636)
Published: 2026-06-13T17:46:44+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/new-manager-conversations/episode-0050.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/business/new-manager-conversations/episode-0050.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/new-manager-conversations-with-fexingo-first-90-days-managing-former-peers-and-leadership-basics-7871636/episodes/how-new-managers-can-handle-conflict-between-direct-reports
Duration seconds: 528

## Resource

In this milestone 50th episode, Lucas and Luna tackle one of the toughest challenges for new managers: mediating conflict between two direct reports. Using a real-world example from a mid-size SaaS company where a senior engineer and a product manager clashed over sprint priorities, they break down a practical four-step framework called the 'Trust Triangle' — separate the people from the problem, listen for underlying interests, reframe the shared goal, and co-create a commitment. Lucas shares why most new managers jump to solutions too fast, and Luna offers a counterintuitive tip about validating emotions before facts. They also discuss when to step in vs. when to let the conflict play out. If you're a new manager dreading that first he-said-she-said, this episode gives you a repeatable playbook. #NewManager #ConflictResolution #Leadership #Careers #PeopleManagement #TeamDynamics #TrustTriangle #Mediation #SprintPlanning #ProductManagement #Engineering #SaaS #FirstTimeManager #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ManagementSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkplaceConflict Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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