Disagreements are a natural part of collaborative decision-making, but when emotions run high, they can derail communication, strain relationships, and stall progress. This workshop equips participants with strategies to recognize, understand, and effectively respond to heightened emotions in meetings, mediations, and other facilitated discussions. Participants will learn practical tools for de-escalation, validation, and reframing that help transform emotional intensity into constructive dialogue. Through interactive exercises and real-world scenarios, the session will focus on maintaining a calm, neutral presence while guiding individuals and groups back to problem solving and shared understanding. Key topics include recognizing emotional hot buttons and escalation patterns; the role of active listening and validation in de-escalation; communicating empathy; strategies for reframing and redirecting unproductive dialogue; maintaining focus on shared goals during conflict; and self-regulation techniques for facilitators in high-emotion settings. By the end of this workshop, participants will have a toolkit of strategies for managing high emotions with confidence and professionalism. They will leave prepared to keep conversations respectful and productive—even when disagreements intensify.
2-hours Online