The bitter irony is that leaders who really want to avoid conflict are normally the very people who cause more of it to happen. The longer you wait to deal with a problem, it can by nature of neglect, get far worse and become a full blown crisis. So speaking the truth respectfully and early will reduce the negative impact on everyone. This Michael Hyatt post is very helpful:
“As the vice president of the consultancy Gap International, it is Ilene Muething’s job to challenge and confront some of the world’s most abrasive and powerful CEOs. Ilene is a friend and has done some consulting for my company. I once asked her how she worked up the courage to speak truth to the powerful. She said it was difficult at first, but over time it got easier.”