As founder, chair, and CEO of the Exceptional Women Alliance, I am privileged to engage with extraordinary female leaders across industries. This month, I spoke with Britt Ide about one of the most overlooked—and essential—leadership skills: building bridges. An engineer, lawyer, and seasoned board director, Ide has spent her career navigating high-stakes negotiations, from major deals to complex disputes. Q: Explain “bridge building” in leadership Ide: Bridge building is the discipline of turning tension into better outcomes. It starts with a mindset shift: Instead of avoiding conflict, welcome constructive conflict. And then use it productively. Bridge building creates win-win solutions in complex situations. It is getting to a result where both sides achieve what matters. That requires asking better questions, surfacing what is driving each party, and expanding the range of possible solutions. Q: Why is this especially critical in high-stakes situations like mergers and acquisitions?…