Ever feel like you have to choose between speaking your truth and keeping the peace?
If you’ve been biting your tongue in meetings, avoiding difficult conversations, or wondering how to disagree with someone without destroying the relationship… this episode is going to give you a roadmap.
In this episode of Being Relatable, host Erica Castner sits down with Megan Shields, a business strategist who’s mastered the art of navigating conflict while maintaining strong work and life relationships.
MEET OUR GUEST:
- Megan Shields – Business Strategist & Owner, Chimehouse Media (helping businesses scale through strategic planning and execution)
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
- The importance of managing your emotional state before making decisions
- The 97% rule: identifying what you can let slide vs. your true deal-breakers
- How to recognize when relationships are no longer serving your growth
- Why changing your routine opens doors to new opportunities
KEY TIMESTAMPS:
- 1:49 – Megan’s strategy for thinking through all possible outcomes before difficult conversations
- 4:27 – How working with her husband taught her to navigate professional disagreements
- 6:33 – The 97% rule: knowing what you can let slide vs. your deal-breakers
- 9:02 – Megan’s story of moving cities to align with her values and leave toxic relationships behind
- 16:22 – How changing routines naturally shifts the people in your life
- 18:47 – Why protecting your peace is more important than proving you’re right
- 21:12 – HYPE SESSION: Megan celebrates Kristen Tierney’s resilience and friendship
QUOTABLE MOMENTS:
“Sometimes we have to change a little bit to change what’s around us, to change the people that come into our lives, and also make the space for those people to come into our lives.”
“If you do the same stuff all the time, you’re gonna end up getting the same results, and that also includes the same people.”
ACTION STEPS TO TAKE AFTER LISTENING:
- Before your next difficult conversation, write down all possible outcomes and how you’d handle each one
- Change one routine (coffee shop, lunch spot, networking event) to create space for new connections
WOMEN WE’RE HYPING UP:
Kristen Tierney – Owner of Tierney Development Group, nonprofit leader for 30+ years, recently navigated some big life changes while running her business and raising two sons (nominated by Megan)
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:
Megan Shields – Instagram: @ChimehouseMedia (business) or @HeyMeganShields (personal) | Always up for voice note conversations!
RATE + REVIEW
If this episode helped you think differently about handling conflict in your professional relationships, leave a review wherever you listen to Being Relatable. Your review helps other women find practical strategies for navigating workplace challenges.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow host Erica Castner on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes content and more conversations about building authentic relationships in work, life, and leadership.
