Lessons in Conflict Resolution from Elon Musk and Donald Trump

No, I haven’t gone mad.

When micro-blogging first came into our lives, if anyone had said that one day these platforms would be used to observe a real-time argument between the President of the United States and the world’s richest man, it would have been laughed off as far-fetched.

Yet, earlier this month, we all had a ringside seat as two of the world’s most powerful individuals engaged in an indirect online spat that made Drake and Kendrick look like… well, Drake and Kendrick.

In a world increasingly defined by conflict, it’s impossible to ignore two of its loudest, most divisive public figures. Love them or loathe them (and let’s face it, there’s rarely a middle ground), Elon and The Donald have become case studies in how conflict plays out in public, professional, and personal domains. While their approaches are often chaotic, controversial, or just plain combative, there are still lessons we can draw from their behaviour — even if it’s just what not to do.

As a conflict resolution practitioner, here are five lessons I’ve learned from watching Elon and Donald go head-to-head — and why they might matter for the rest of us.

1. Sometimes, the Fallout Is Inevitable — and Necessary

Let’s be honest: if I’d run a poll asking whether these two would eventually clash in spectacular fashion, 9 out of 10 people would’ve said yes — and the 10th just wasn’t paying attention.

Many conflicts arrive at mediation after the big blow-up: harsh words, broken promises, scorched earth. The relationship feels irreparable.

But sometimes, a visible rupture is what clears the air. It brings buried tensions to the surface and forces a reckoning.

I was taught early in my mediation training: “Don’t fear the fallout.” A visible break can be a starting point — not the end. Even if it happens mid-mediation, we have the skills and resilience to deal with it.

As a conflict resolution specialist, I always advocate for prevention where possible — using my management consulting experience in strategy, process and system design, as well as upskilling and behaviour change to mitigate confusion and disagreement. But when conflict does erupt, it can open the door to truth-telling — and, if there’s willingness, the possibility of repair.

2. Threats Can Win the Battle — and Lose the War

Time and again, we see high-stakes negotiations fall apart because one party overestimates their leverage. From Trump’s “they don’t have any cards” approach to forcing a resolution in Ukraine (spoiler alert: the war continues), to corporate hardball tactics that backfire, the message is clear: power plays have short shelf lives.

Threats may yield compliance in the moment — but they risk an unsustainable resolution.

Effective negotiation isn’t about crushing the other side. It’s about understanding what each party needs, finding common ground, and building something that can hold over time.

If you walk away from the table feeling like you won by bulldozing the other person, don’t be surprised when cracks appear later. Resolution requires more than dominance — it requires durability. As mediators, we don’t just help you come to an agreement, we stress test it.

3. There’s a Fine — but Clear — Line Between Engaging in Conflict and Bullying

And that is all.

4. Talk About Your Feelings, Guys!

There is no real resolution until we talk about how we feel.

This is particularly true in community mediation: understanding how each party has felt during the conflict — not just what happened or what went wrong — is crucial.

When I’ve been invited to work with leadership teams in conflict, the disagreement itself often isn’t the root issue. The real pain lies in how something was said, how decisions were made, and how people were made to feel.

Sometimes, simply being heard changes everything. Sometimes, hearing the impact of your own words creates a shift. That’s where transformation begins.

Am I suggesting Elon and Donald sit down and have a heart-to-heart? Well… I’d suggest it to anyone else.

5. Yes, You Can Misjudge Power — and It Can Backfire

Every conflict involves risk. You may think you’re in control of the story — until you realise the other party has just as much influence, reach, and reputational weight as you do. A power imbalance doesn’t prevent the ‘weaker’ side from doing real damage.

The lesson? Before escalating a conflict, assess the power dynamics. Who are you really dealing with? What support do they have? What unintended consequences might follow?

Because going nuclear without a strategy isn’t just noisy — it can be costly. Or worse, dangerous.

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Conflict, when handled well, can strengthen relationships, clarify values, and drive progress. Handled poorly, it can undermine reputations, fracture alliances, and erode trust.

So whether you’re navigating conflict in your workplace, your family, or your leadership team, remember: have a strategy, be prepared to negotiate, and don’t overlook emotions and psychology.

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Looking to prevent conflict or navigate it more constructively? Get in touch with Tigris Consulting and Mediation for expert guidance in turning tension into transformation. Visit Mediation & Conflict Resolution or email us here.

About the author

Rakhee Verma is a seasoned leader in sales, business development, marketing, and strategic communication, with over 15 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors—including within PwC and the United Nations

Rakhee has cultivated and managed high-value strategic relationships with FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies and is frequently engaged for interim board-level assignments, where she leads transformative turnaround strategies and drives sustainable growth.

She is also a trusted business mentor and leadership coach, supporting senior executives to unlock their potential and navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.

An accredited mediator through CEDR, Rakhee brings a wealth of expertise in conflict resolution and negotiation. She has successfully coached leaders to enhance their communication, resolve challenges, and strengthen team cohesion.

Proficient in multiple languages and deeply attuned to diverse cultural contexts, Rakhee brings a truly global mindset and inclusive leadership style to every engagement.

Her culturally intelligent approach fosters authentic connection, drives strategic alignment, and delivers lasting impact across borders and sectors​.

Connect with Rakhee on LinkedIn. Click here.