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A Summary of The Spiral of Unmanaged Conflict: a 2-part Weekly Meditation published by NAES Exectuive Director, Rev. David Madison, D. Min.

“The absence of trust is the beginning of the breakdown of relationships–whether personal, institutional, or societal.” (The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury)

Rev. David Madison, Executive Director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), recently shared reflections on managing conflict and building trust within school communities in a 2-part Weekly Meditation series. He highlighted that conflict, like a small water leak, doesn’t resolve itself and often worsens when ignored. Drawing from Susan Carpenter’s research, Madison emphasized the importance of addressing conflict early before it spirals into a crisis. Carpenter’s framework, the “Spiral of Unmanaged Conflict,” demonstrates how unresolved issues can escalate, and Madison encourages school leaders to avoid the temptation of waiting too long to intervene.

“Conflict is dynamic. Unmanaged conflicts seldom stay constant for long. Simple solutions that might have worked in the beginning may be ineffective and even cause more damage if they are attempted when the conflict is fully developed.” (Susan Carpenter and W.J.D. Kennedy, Managing Public Disputes)

He also explored the concept of trust, using insights from Stephen Covey’s The Speed of Trust. Madison noted that trust is essential for strong relationships in any community. He outlined key behaviors that build and maintain trust, such as honest communication, transparency, accountability, and delivering on promises. He encouraged leaders to assess the state of trust in their relationships, warning that broken trust slows progress while a culture of trust accelerates it.

“Relationships move at the speed of trust.” (Stephen Covey)

For our schools, Madison’s reflections remind us that proactively managing conflict and nurturing trust are vital to creating a healthy, mission-driven environment. Both are necessary for building robust and resilient church and school communities that navigate challenges effectively.

“Regardless of the specific role you currently hold…, relationships are central to your success. Moving those relationships in a positive direction is mission critical to accomplish…your goals. Relationships move at the speed of trust. What are we doing to accelerate?” (Rev. David Madison, D.Min.)