Welcome to part two of our insightful discussion with special guest Brian Dempster, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Fate Therapeutics. Our focus is on the importance of managing conflict in clinical research environments.

Managing conflict is not only about achieving your goals. It is also about bringing your entire team along with you on that journey. As Angela Roberts shares, the success of a leader is often determined by the employees and colleagues who stand behind them. Your professional results matter. But true conflict management is reflected in your ability to obtain those results while maintaining the support and respect of your team.

Brian Dempster highlights the personal benefits of managing conflict well. Instead of focusing on how many individual battles you can win, it is far more rewarding and healthy to learn to collaborate and get along with others. Creating harmony and trust within a team leads to a more positive work environment and supports your own well-being.

Becky Clark emphasizes the importance of these same strategies beyond your immediate team. Especially for Clinical Research Associates. Strong relationships with clinical sites are essential. The positive impact of effectively managing conflict is so significant that site-level references are a firm requirement for CRAs at craresources. Sites that express genuine enthusiasm for working with a CRA—even years after a study—demonstrate the long-lasting value of nurturing professional relationships.

In clinical operations, your reputation is shaped by how you handle challenges and relationships alike. By prioritizing communication, collaboration, and empathy, you can manage conflict constructively. You create lasting positive impressions, not only with your team but also with the sites you support. Managing conflict well is essential for elevating both your professional journey and the overall success of every clinical trial.

Book List

Brian mentions a couple of books during our discussions on conflict management. As a bonus, he has provided those details as well as recommended a third book.

• The Art of War by Tzu Sun
• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition by Al Switzler, Ron McMillan, Joseph Grenny, Emily Gregory, Kerry Patterson
• Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

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