In this episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast, Andy Lopata welcomes Will Kintish and Sobiya Jawaid to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of a British Jew and a British Muslim.Will Kintish practiced as a chartered accountant for 30+ years until the year 2000. For the last 23 years, Will has shown thousands in the business, professional, academic, and technical communities how to become more effective and confident networkers. He is the published author of the best-selling book “Business Networking: The Survival Guide”.Sobiya Jawaid is the first hijab-wearing British Muslim black belt kickboxer to have represented England at the European level, where she won a silver medal. She is a leadership coach; diversity, belonging, and inclusion consultant; international keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and panelist. Andy and his guests take on a challenging exploration of deeply emotional subject matter, sharing their unique perspectives with the aim of fostering understanding rather than perpetuating division. Andy emphasises the importance of meaningful discourse, resolution of conflicts, and challenging preconceived notions. He expresses concern about the lack of balanced perspectives on social media, noting that taking sides can hinder conflict resolution. Andy's guests, both deeply affected by the current events, aim to shed light on the human aspect of the conflict. Will shares his concern for innocent people, including his family members, while Sobiya discusses the emotional toll of witnessing the catastrophe from afar. Both Will and Sobiya agree that, despite severe conflicts, humanity shares more common interests. They highlight the potential for unity and stress the need for self-leadership. They promote cross-cultural conversations and bridging divisions, emphasising that more connects us than divides us.Sobiya emphasises the importance of comparing values, not personal labels, to foster connections in diverse friendships. These conversations encourage empathy and allow individuals to recognise the humanity beneath the politics. She urges leaders to acknowledge their team's pain and provide support. Will emphasises the need for leaders to engage in solution-oriented conversations with employees. Will and Sobiya agree that individuals should take responsibility for diversifying their social circles.  They should become knowledgeable and empathetic towards different cultures. This diversity leads to greater understanding and helps to foster stronger social dynamics.Andy suggests leaders use an open-door policy leading to crucial conversations about employees' experiences. Sobiya advises leaders to reflect on their personal values and consider the factors influencing their viewpoints and actions. She emphasises empathy in leadership and encourages leaders to practice it when discussing challenging issues with their team.This episode offers more insights into how conversations around challenging events such as socio-political unrest offer opportunities for bridging gaps, fostering understanding, and promoting empathy. Will Kintish and Sobiya Jawaid highlight the importance of values in the workplace and recommend professional guidance services for employees struggling with the current situation. Strong leadership plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy and effective team dynamics during unsettling times. Andy advises individuals to maintain dialogue within theirsocial circles to foster understanding and empathy.Listento our previous episodes Elliott Ferguson on leading conversations on race and Noa Baum on different perspectives of the Israeli/Palestine conflict to gain more perspective on the issue we are discussing today. Connect with Andy Lopata WebsiteConnect with Will Kintish LinkedInConnect with Sobiya Jawaid Website