Dr. Irvine Nugent, Ph.D., CSP

Certification: E-Factor Certified Facilitator

Specialisation: Workplace Conflict, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Under Pressure, Difficult Conversations, and Leadership Development

Dr. Irvine Nugent is a workplace conflict speaker, executive coach, certified workplace mediator, and co-founder of Conflict EQ™, where he helps leaders build the emotional and behavioral capacity to navigate conflict, difficult conversations, and high-pressure situations more effectively.

His work explores the intersection of emotional intelligence and conflict, with a particular focus on what happens when leaders experience tension, disagreement, emotional triggers, and pressure. Rather than viewing conflict simply as a communication problem, Irvine helps leaders develop greater Conflict Capacity—the ability to remain emotionally regulated, cognitively flexible, relationally present, and behaviorally intentional when tension rises.

Born and raised in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Irvine brings a deeply personal perspective to the dynamics of conflict and human behavior. His professional experience includes serving as a nonprofit CEO and senior organizational leader, coaching executives and emerging leaders, and facilitating leadership development programs across a wide range of organizations.

Irvine earned his Ph.D. in Management from Capella University, where his doctoral research examined leadership behavior during times of crisis. He is also a graduate of Georgetown University’s executive coaching program, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and a certified workplace mediator.

His work integrates research and practical application in emotional intelligence, workplace conflict, leadership under pressure, emotional regulation, difficult conversations, and relationship dynamics. He is the author of Leadership Lessons From the Pub and speaks and teaches internationally on helping leaders turn tension into more productive conversations, stronger relationships, and better decisions.

Irvine welcomes inquiries for speaking, leadership development, executive coaching, and conflict-related engagements. Initial contact by email or LinkedIn is encouraged.