Embracing a Culture of Healthy Conflict: Katya Laviolette (Chief People Officer, 1Password)

Listen to our recent episode with Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer at 1Password.

We talked about the art of saying “no” in HR, why healthy conflict leads to better business outcomes, and tips for having tough talks.

Read the highlights below. ??

1. The art of saying "no" in HR ??

It’s tempting to say “yes” when people come to HR with outlandish demands.

But agreeing to everything isn’t necessary. Katya once worked for a CEO who advised her not to rush into saying yes. He suggested, “Sometimes, if you sit with a decision, a different answer emerges.”

Her advice for People Leaders facing these types of demands? Instead of reacting immediately, try to engage in a dialogue.

Consider asking questions like:

• What’s driving this demand?
• Have we considered __ instead?

After a meaningful dialogue, it becomes easier to push back respectfully.

Saying “no” in HR is an art. It’s about having courageous conversations, not confrontations.

2. Healthy conflict leads to better business outcomes ??

Conflict gets a bad rap.

We tend to view it as something to avoid at all costs - but healthy conflict can actually lead to better outcomes.

Katya believes that leaders should embrace (not fear) conflict.

She shared, "If you don't get conflict out, it can become very toxic."

Couple that with a high-growth, scale up environment where things move like a rocket, and conflict avoidance can be downright dangerous. Unaddressed tensions simmer under the surface, only to erupt when stakes are high.

As she explained, a leader's job is "to put things on the table in a factual, empathetic, realistic way."

Get the issues out there, deal with them head on. Easier said than done, especially when emotions run high.

That's why Katya always comes back to the facts.

As one of her early mentors taught her: "Don't give me the emotions. Give me the facts."

3. Tips for having the tough conversations ??

Having tricky conversations with coworkers?

Katya’s pro tips:

1) Give people a heads up that discomfort is coming but you want an open dialogue.

Say “I’m going to be very direct. And this might be uncomfortable, but I just want to put the facts out there and just talk about it, get your reaction and then talk through it.”

2) Read the room: if they’re having a bad day, re-calendar the tough talk.

3) After you deliver the tough message, listen deeply rather than interrupting.

4) Say “I’m just expressing some ideas, not making decisions” to reassure people you’re open.

Good news from Leapsome : People Over Perks just hit 7,500 members ??

Leapsome's Slack community for HR leaders, People Over Perks, just hit 7,500 members. PoPs is a fantastic resource for sharing best practices, learning from others, and getting that extra dose of support from fellow HR folks.

Think of it as a virtual watercooler for HR pros, but way cooler because you have access to experts too. They host regular Ask Me Anything sessions with industry leaders, giving you the chance to pick their brains and get insights straight from the source.

Go join the People Over Perks Community .

It's free, it's friendly, and it's full of good vibes and good advice.

Katya's definition of a Modern People Leader ??

"A modern people leader embodies the fusion of intuition and data. It's about leveraging both to make informed decisions. From my experience, I've learned that relying solely on data without trusting my instincts has led to mistakes. It's crucial to find a balance between the two. Additionally, a key trait of a modern leader is adaptability—being open to listening, recognizing when something isn't working, and being willing to pivot. This ability to adapt and evolve is essential for success."

The career advice Katya would give to her 22-year-old self ??

"Careers aren't straight paths—they're more like puzzles. It's crucial to dive into the trenches, learn, and embrace mistakes. Making mistakes is how you grow stronger. Setting yourself up for challenges is also vital. I recall being asked to work in northern Quebec with limited French skills. Taking that leap was a defining moment in my career. Career progression isn't just ticking boxes. I've seen people rush to the next opportunity without fully embracing their current experiences. It's important to reflect on what you've learned and how it prepares you for future roles. Accumulating experiences enriches you both professionally and personally, making you a more rounded individual."

Go listen to the full episode: Apple | Spotify

See you next week!

P.S. Support 2x MPL guest Shelby Wolpa by participating in her "Distributed Work: People & Practices Survey ". As a thank you, survey participants will receive FREE access to the full results report.