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Turn workplace conflict into better decisions and stronger leaders.

Conflict-intelligent leadership. From the research to the room.

I'm Vivian Ojo, a conflict researcher at Columbia University, executive coach and former strategist at McKinsey & Company, The Global Fund and the African Development Bank. I help organizations build conflict-intelligent leaders, and help professionals navigate the conversations and career moves that matter most.

The work so far

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Published research

Frontiers in Organizational Psychology, 2026

Coaching

Harvard executive coaching certificate

Stages

One Young World, UNGA week, US-Africa Business Week

Conflict is costly. Handled well, it's an advantage.

Most organizations don't have a conflict problem. They have a conflict-handling problem: tension that goes unspoken, decisions that stall, and good people who quietly leave. The skill is in demand: LinkedIn ranked conflict mitigation the second fastest-growing skill in the US in 2025 (Fortune).

My work draws on research from Columbia University's Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution, and on years of leading strategy and people work inside complex, high-stakes organizations.

How I think

Conflict isn't a sign of failure. It's information.

Many people see conflict as something to avoid, win or resolve as quickly as possible. They focus on the visible disagreement rather than what sits underneath: interests, power dynamics, expectations and communication patterns.

I combine organizational psychology, conflict research, strategy and executive coaching to help clients understand those dynamics and find practical ways forward that are realistic, sustainable and effective.

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Together, these principles help turn conflict into a catalyst for meaningful, lasting change.

Two ways in

How we can work together

For organizations

Event organizers, L&D and HR leads, boards, NGOs and universities.

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For individuals

Managers, executives, emerging leaders and consulting candidates.

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The research behind the work

What do conflict-intelligent leaders actually do?

In a 2026 study with 810 participants, my colleagues and I developed and validated a measure of conflict-intelligent leadership. Three capacities stood out. Leaders who scored higher had teams that reported more psychological safety, engagement and job satisfaction.

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Phan, Coleman & Ojo (2026), Frontiers in Organizational Psychology.

About the research

In their words

What clients say

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How it works

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Coaching sessions run 60 minutes, extended to 90 when needed, from $200. Organizational work starts from published prices, with a 25% nonprofit rate. Coaching prices · Speaking & workshop prices

Conflict Imagination series

Unpopular truths about conflict

All 50 insights
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For organizations · Speaking & training

Speaking, workshops and leadership programs on workplace conflict

I help organizations build leaders who can turn conflict into better decisions. My sessions combine current research from Columbia University with practical tools tested in demanding organizations, from global health to development finance and strategy consulting.

Check availability
Vivian Ojo presenting on stage in front of a large event screen

Signature topics

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How an engagement works

Virtual, or in person anywhere in the world.

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Formats

Virtual, or in person anywhere in the world. Every session is tailored after a short scoping call.

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Nonprofit rate: 25% off workshops and speaking. Travel is billed separately. All prices in USD.

Selected stages

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For organizations · Boards, teams & advisory

Your board's biggest fight isn't on the agenda

Confidential assessment, facilitation and improvement programs for boards and leadership teams: for strategy, role clarity and the conversations that keep getting postponed.

Request a scoping call

Board conflict work

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Additional facilitation day: $2,500. The survey fee is credited toward a Board Conflict Diagnostic booked within 3 months. Nonprofit rate: 25% off board work. Travel billed separately. All prices in USD.

How an engagement works

Virtual, or in person anywhere in the world.

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Team & board retreats

Facilitated half-day and full-day sessions for leadership teams and boards: strategy, role clarity, and the tensions that keep a team from deciding.

Half-day team conflict workshop $3,500 · Full-day workshop or retreat $6,000

Advisory

Support on conflict, change, inclusion and culture, including inclusive strategy and psychological safety work. Custom proposals after a short scoping call.

For individuals · Coaching

Coaching for leaders navigating conflict, hard conversations and career moves

Who it's for. Managers, executives and emerging leaders dealing with a difficult boss or peer, team tension, organizational politics, a stalled promotion or a career transition.

What changes. You walk into hard conversations with a plan, protect relationships that matter, and make career decisions with clarity rather than pressure.

Book a free 15-minute intro call

Conflict & career coaching

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One-off sessions are credited toward any bundle or program. I confirm fit on a free call before sending an invoice. All prices in USD.

What working with me is like

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Confidentiality

Confidentiality is central to my work. Coaching conversations stay private and are not shared with employers without your consent, except where legally required. For employer-sponsored coaching, we agree confidentiality boundaries upfront: your employer may receive agreed administrative updates, but personal discussions and session content remain confidential.

Where and when

Virtually, in any time zone, or in person: I travel worldwide. I reply to every inquiry within two business days.

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Preparing for consulting interviews?Case interview coaching packages, from $170 a session

Questions

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For individuals · Case interview coaching

Consulting interview prep, paced around how fast you learn

Coaching from a former McKinsey & Company strategist. Sessions are 60 minutes, extended to 90 minutes when needed at no extra cost. Start with a free 15-minute intro call to map out your prep plan.

Book a free intro call

Packages

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Rushed single session (interview within 7 days): $300. Had a one-off session? Its cost is credited toward any bundle. Use your bundle at your own pace within 12 months. All prices in USD.

How it works

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Research

Conflict-intelligent leadership in a messy, anxious world

What do conflict-intelligent leaders actually do? In a 2026 study with 810 participants, my colleagues and I developed and validated a measure of conflict-intelligent leadership. Leaders who scored higher had teams that reported more psychological safety, engagement and job satisfaction.

Phan, L. H., Coleman, P. T., & Ojo, V. (2026). Frontiers in Organizational Psychology.

Read the paper Invite me to speak about it

Three capacities stood out

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Researching conflict imagination

My doctoral research in organizational psychology at Columbia University asks why some conflicts are not communication failures but imagination failures: moments when people can't picture an outcome other than winning or losing.

I've presented this work at the International Association for Conflict Management and the Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York. The weekly Conflict Imagination series turns it into practical moves for leaders.

About Vivian

I've worked inside the problem. Now I research it.

At McKinsey & Company I advised governments, development finance institutions and businesses on strategy. At The Global Fund in Geneva I supported performance and delivery in the Executive Director's office and helped build its people and organization strategy, including programs on psychological safety. At the African Development Bank I worked on resource mobilization for African women and communities.

Today I'm a doctoral researcher in organizational psychology at Columbia University, an executive coach and the founder of The VeeBee Company. I studied at Oxford and Georgetown, and I've lived and worked across Africa, Europe and the Americas.

My work draws on decades of conflict research at Columbia University and more than ten years of strategy and people work across corporate and international development organizations.

Vivian Ojo speaking at an event

My approach

Rather than simply helping people manage difficult situations, I help them understand the underlying dynamics and identify practical ways forward. My approach blends research, empathy and strategic thinking.

I understand before reacting, lead with curiosity rather than judgment, and ground decisions in evidence rather than assumptions. Difficult conversations are opportunities for growth, stronger relationships and better leadership.

Credentials

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Work with me LinkedIn

Insights · Conflict Imagination

Unpopular truths about conflict at work

One uncommon, evidence-based insight a week: a counter-intuitive claim, the research behind it, and a practical move you can use the same week. Full articles are coming soon.

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Contact

Let's talk

Tell me what's going on. I reply within two business days. Every service starts with a free 15-minute intro call to see if we're the right fit.

LinkedIn
Vivian Ojo
Based in
New York and Switzerland, working worldwide

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Legal

Privacy notice

Last updated: November 2026.

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