When the Storm Passes, What’s Left Behind?

What Leaders Can Learn from Unresolved Conflict and Fallen Trees

Recently, a powerful storm swept through Pittsburgh, PA. Roads were blocked, power lines were down, and shingles were torn off rooftops.

The next morning, while walking through my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice the stillness, not just in the weather, but in the impact left behind.

I began to think about how similar the aftermath of a storm is to what happens in organizations after unresolved conflict.

Unresolved conflict, much like a storm, doesn’t always show its damage right away. Over time, it takes a toll on morale, on trust, and on the relationships that hold teams together.

When Power Is Lost, So Is Connection

In any storm, one of the first things we notice is a loss of power.

The same thing happens on teams. When conflict lingers, communication breaks down. People stop talking, or they talk, but no one really listens. Mistrust settles in. Frustration builds. And suddenly, the team that once felt cohesive is now fragmented and fatigued.

Leadership reset:

• Acknowledge the disruption. Don’t sweep conflict under the rug. Silence isn’t resolution.
  
• Restore connection. Invite conversation. Ask thoughtful questions. Let people know they’ve been heard.
  
• Clear the interference. Misunderstandings, assumptions, and unspoken tension can all short-circuit communication. Clarify intentions and check for understanding.

Roadblocks to Trust

Fallen trees can block major roads, leaving people stuck or rerouted for days.

Conflict does the same. Resentments, blame, or fear of speaking up create emotional blockages. People tiptoe around issues, or worse, avoid collaboration altogether.

To clear the way:

• Identify the emotional debris. What’s in the way of trust? Is it unspoken anger? Repeated miscommunication?
  
• Encourage safe vulnerability. When leaders go first in modeling emotional honesty, others will follow.
  
• Begin relationship repairs. Trust takes time, but only if someone starts the work. Small, consistent actions often open the door.
  

When the Roof Is Torn Off

In a storm, roofs protect what matters most. When they’re damaged, everything inside is vulnerable.

In leadership, relationships are the roof. When conflict strips away respect or emotional safety, teams are left exposed, leading to gossip, disengagement, or quiet quitting.

How to rebuild:

• Facilitate honest, judgment-free conversations. Not to fix or solve, but to listen, learn, and understand.
  
• Repair collaboratively. One person didn’t cause the conflict. One person won’t fix it. Invite shared ownership.
  
• Maintain the structure. Just like roof inspections after a storm, healthy teams need regular check-ins to spot small issues before they grow.
  

The Aftermath of Unresolved Conflict Matters

As an Executive Coach and former family therapist, I’ve seen how what’s left unspoken after a storm is just as damaging as the storm itself.

Unresolved conflict doesn’t disappear. It lingers. It festers. And eventually, it costs you your culture. Whether you lead five people or five hundred, the way you respond to conflict becomes part of your legacy.

Ask yourself:

• What “fallen trees” might be blocking the way forward on your team?
  
• What’s still “off the grid” in terms of connection, trust, or open dialogue?
  
• And most importantly, how can you begin the clean-up?
  

If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear what stood out. 

Let’s lead in a way that clears the path, not just for results, but for relationships too. To leadership that repairs, restores, and reconnects,

Bonnie Artman Fox

About the author 

Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills. 

Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together. 

Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.