Meet Ryan Dunlap.

Conflict Strategist | Coach | Keynote Speaker | Author

"Honestly, I think everyone is full of ish."

- Ryan Dunlap

Hey! I’m Ryan—a guy who’s worn a lot of hats and learned a thing or two along the way about conflict. I've spent over 20 years navigating the worlds of law enforcement, ministry, and executive leadership, during which I’ve tackled everything from high-stakes crises to helping people find their way through life’s toughest moments.

As the founder of Conflictish® and the creator of The Real Tact Model®, I've helped everyone from startup entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 executives get their ish together!

From the Interrogation Room to the Boardroom.

You might not believe it, but the boardroom and the interrogation room have more in common than you’d think. After years of navigating both, I started noticing some familiar patterns.

In the interrogation room, suspects under pressure often danced around the truth, afraid to admit their mistakes or face the consequences. Surprisingly, I saw the same thing happening in the boardroom. Leaders—smart, capable, and driven—would sometimes shy away from the truth when the heat was on. They were hesitant to own up to mistakes, worried about how they'd be perceived, and fearful of being “found out.”

It hit me: pressure reveals character, no matter where you are. Whether it’s a suspect trying to avoid a confession or a leader trying to save face, the underlying fear is the same—being exposed.

That realization sparked my passion for helping leaders navigate tough conversations and high-pressure situations with integrity and tact.

There's No Such Thing as Healthy Conflict,

Only Healthy People.

Here’s the deal: I don’t believe in "healthy conflict." Conflict, by nature, isn’t healthy—it’s messy, uncomfortable, and often painful. What makes the difference is you. Healthy people create healthy outcomes, even in the face of conflict.

One of my core beliefs is simple but powerful: you can’t effectively solve conflict with others until you learn to resolve the conflicts within yourself. That inner turmoil—the doubts, fears, and unresolved issues—has a way of spilling into your interactions with others. Until you face those internal battles, every external conflict will feel like a losing fight.

That’s where I come in. I’m here to help you work through those internal conflicts, build resilience, and develop the tools you need to handle even the toughest conversations.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing relationships, or simply trying to navigate life’s challenges, I’ll guide you to communicate with clarity, confidence, and control. Because when you’re at peace with yourself, you can handle anything—and anyone—with tact.

Areas of Expertise

Conflict Management
Strategic Communication
Crisis Intervention
Interviews & Interrogations

Sexual Assault / Misconduct
Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Harassment
Negotiations

Master of Science, Communication and Leadership
Graduate Certificate, Strategic Communication Management
Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice
Trained Neutral in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Certified Enneagram Coach
3,600+ Hours of Specialized Law Enforcement Training:
- FBI Interviews & Interrogations
- Hostage Negotiations
- Advanced Investigative Techniques, Sexual Assault
- Critical Incident Stress Management Facilitator
- ICISF Individual and Group Crisis Intervention
- NAMI Crisis Intervention
- Threat Assessments
- Certified Law Enforcement Instructor
- Certified Field Training Officer

Education & Training

Volunteer Experience

Member: GA Sexual Assault Response Team, State Expert Committee
Member: TN Human Trafficking Advisory Council
Board of Directors: WTCI PBS Chattanooga
Board Member at Large: Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, East Brainerd Council