Can Harmony Handle Hard Conversations: with Maggie Meylor
Harmony gets a bad rap as the “peacekeeper” theme—the one that avoids conflict, smooths things over, and keeps everyone rowing in the same direction. But is that the whole story?
This week, Sarah and Bill welcome Maggie Meylor, executive coach, Gallup-certified strengths facilitator, and positivity powerhouse, for an honest and surprisingly funny conversation about what happens when Harmony meets hard conversations. From spinach-in-your-teeth analogies to buffalo-in-the-storm metaphors, the trio dig into the raw and mature sides of Harmony—how it can both hinder and supercharge leadership, relationships, and even parenting.
Along the way, Maggie drops unforgettable “Maggie-isms,” Bill compares Harmony to a rowing crew, and Sarah confesses to wanting to run from political conversations entirely. Whether you lead with Harmony, work with someone who does, or simply want to understand this often-misunderstood theme, this episode will shift how you see conflict—and how Harmony can actually become a master at navigating it.
Main Takeaways
Raw Harmony avoids conflict at all costs; mature Harmony leans into it for the sake of relationships.
Leaders with Harmony can create consensus—but must balance it with clarity.
Harmony + Responsibility can step up to say the hard thing, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Conflict avoidance can backfire—like “running from the storm” only to stay stuck in it longer.
When Harmony is invested in, it becomes a superpower for peacemaking, consensus, and clarity.
Harmony and Empathy overlap—but differ: Empathy feels others’ emotions, while Harmony reads them.
High Harmony leaders thrive when they remember: clear is kind.
Sound Bites
“Clear is kind—even if it feels hard in the moment.”
“Feelings are real, but they’re not always true.”
“Sometimes Harmony needs to take the back seat—or be left at the truck stop.”
“Harmony can read the room—but it doesn’t have to own other people’s emotions.”
“Avoiding the storm just keeps it on your back. Mature Harmony walks straight into it like a buffalo.”
“Recognition is water, not champagne—you need it daily, not just on special occasions.”
“When Harmony matures, it becomes the bridge between conflict and connection.”
“Half as much as you want, and twice as nice—that’s how to use Communication with Harmony.”
“With great Harmony comes great responsibility.”
“Every strength has its raw side. Harmony’s raw side can be one of the most detrimental—but its mature side is one of the most powerful.”
Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Individualization 2) Developer 3) Activator 4) Woo 5) Restorative 6) Empathy 7) Harmony 8) Connectedness 9) Relator 10) Learner
Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity 2) Woo 3) Communication 4) Harmony 5) Activator 6) Developer 7) Input 8) Individualization 9) Responsibility 10) Arranger
Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm
GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH: Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/ https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
This week, Sarah and Bill welcome Maggie Meylor, executive coach, Gallup-certified strengths facilitator, and positivity powerhouse, for an honest and surprisingly funny conversation about what happens when Harmony meets hard conversations. From spinach-in-your-teeth analogies to buffalo-in-the-storm metaphors, the trio dig into the raw and mature sides of Harmony—how it can both hinder and supercharge leadership, relationships, and even parenting.
Along the way, Maggie drops unforgettable “Maggie-isms,” Bill compares Harmony to a rowing crew, and Sarah confesses to wanting to run from political conversations entirely. Whether you lead with Harmony, work with someone who does, or simply want to understand this often-misunderstood theme, this episode will shift how you see conflict—and how Harmony can actually become a master at navigating it.
Main Takeaways
Raw Harmony avoids conflict at all costs; mature Harmony leans into it for the sake of relationships.
Leaders with Harmony can create consensus—but must balance it with clarity.
Harmony + Responsibility can step up to say the hard thing, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Conflict avoidance can backfire—like “running from the storm” only to stay stuck in it longer.
When Harmony is invested in, it becomes a superpower for peacemaking, consensus, and clarity.
Harmony and Empathy overlap—but differ: Empathy feels others’ emotions, while Harmony reads them.
High Harmony leaders thrive when they remember: clear is kind.
Sound Bites
“Clear is kind—even if it feels hard in the moment.”
“Feelings are real, but they’re not always true.”
“Sometimes Harmony needs to take the back seat—or be left at the truck stop.”
“Harmony can read the room—but it doesn’t have to own other people’s emotions.”
“Avoiding the storm just keeps it on your back. Mature Harmony walks straight into it like a buffalo.”
“Recognition is water, not champagne—you need it daily, not just on special occasions.”
“When Harmony matures, it becomes the bridge between conflict and connection.”
“Half as much as you want, and twice as nice—that’s how to use Communication with Harmony.”
“With great Harmony comes great responsibility.”
“Every strength has its raw side. Harmony’s raw side can be one of the most detrimental—but its mature side is one of the most powerful.”
Bill's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Individualization 2) Developer 3) Activator 4) Woo 5) Restorative 6) Empathy 7) Harmony 8) Connectedness 9) Relator 10) Learner
Sarah's Top 10 CliftonStrengths 1) Positivity 2) Woo 3) Communication 4) Harmony 5) Activator 6) Developer 7) Input 8) Individualization 9) Responsibility 10) Arranger
Official Strengths On Fire Website: https://strengthsonfire.transistor.fm
GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH: Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/ https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
Creators and Guests
Host
Bill Dippel
Bill Dippel is a certified, professional Strengths coach with a 35-year career in nonprofits and higher education. His passion is working with organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are performing and communicating at the highest levels. As president of Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, he travels frequently for large events and public speaking, as well as working with whole companies through their management teams.
Host
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of Collins Collective, with over 12 years of experience in strengths-based coaching and leadership development. Her passion lies in empowering businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and perform at their best by focusing on what they do well. As the leader of Collins Collective, Sarah combines engaging workshops, high-impact keynotes, and in-depth coaching to foster growth and connection. Based in Nebraska, she partners with businesses to drive meaningful change and create high-performing teams.
Guest
Maggie Meylor
Maggie is a professional executive coach dedicated to helping individuals and teams identify their strengths and leverage them to achieve their goals and overcome challenges. She holds multiple certifications, including credentials from both the International Coaching Federation and Gallup. Specializing in team performance and high-impact leadership. Maggie works closely with both emerging and experienced leaders to help them understand and master the essentials of effective leadership. Her unique style brings energy and fun to each interaction. Maggie loves using activities that include all participants sothey can be engaged and empowered to grow byexperiencing the power of a newfound understanding ofwhat they uniquely bring and need. With values that inspire meaningful, purpose-driven growth, Maggie creates a space for clients to expand their potential in ways that resonate both personally and professionally.
