In this episode, Elena Armijo welcomes Hillary Hittner, executive coach, mediator, and close collaborator at The C-Suite Collective, for a rich conversation on conflict, creativity, and the human work of staying present when tension enters the room. With a background in theater, DEI, inclusive leadership, and mediation, Hillary brings a deeply attuned lens to what conflict reveals beneath the surface.
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Elena opens with a coaching reflection on the conflict leaders keep avoiding and what it may be trying to reveal. She reframes conflict as data rather than a verdict, inviting leaders to notice tension as a signal instead of proof that something has gone wrong. She also names the cost of performative alignment, the quiet danger of absence in hard conversations, and the importance of creating space between activation and response.
Hillary shares how her early work in theater shaped her ability to listen creatively and notice the emotional architecture of a room. She describes conflict as a tool, a marker, and a flag that helps leaders identify what needs attention. Drawing from her mediation practice, she offers practical ways to slow down, including naming the shared landscape, identifying feelings and needs, and making clear requests.
The conversation moves into how conflict avoidance shows up in teams, from false agreement to silence, peacekeeping, and agitation. Hillary and Elena reflect on the possibility of using tension as a source of growth, trust, and belonging, not only inside organizations, but in families, communities, and daily life.
This conversation is an invitation to stop smoothing over tension and begin listening to it with curiosity, dignity, and care.
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This podcast was produced by the following amazing team:
Ulrich Wolvaardt, Audio Engineer
Aaron Boykin, Musician & Artist (Get updates about Aaron’s music via Instagram)
Jo van Eeden, Project Manager
Elena Armijo
Hillary partners with leaders and companies to support them through organizational, team and personal growth, with a particular focus on Inclusive leadership and conflict competency. As a certified workplace mediator and trainer, she is known for her willingness to sit with discomfort to see what’s on the other side. With a commitment to authenticity and curiosity, Hillary creates and holds spaces for people to build deep self-awareness and find the courage to create the impact in life, work and relationships they want. Working with organizations, Hillary helps identify what’s happening under the surface and builds trust and accountability to make their vision a reality. She invites teams into a new conversation, where they can let go of old winning strategies and co-create new ones.
Her background spans the corporate, start-up, and non-profit worlds - with over a decade working in theater and video production. Hillary infuses every conversation with a distinct combination of creativity, sensitivity, and boldness. She is dedicated to anti-racism work and the collective liberation and breaking down barriers to justice, equity and belonging. Hillary is based in New York City and works with clients all over the globe.