HCI senior trainer Michael Lomax joins Megan Hunter to unpack why high conflict behavior is escalating in today's workplaces—and what leaders can actually do about it. Drawing on twenty-five years in workplace dispute resolution, Michael explains why global stress and unresolved trauma are showing up at work, what happens in a leader's brain when they get emotionally hooked, and how to regulate yourself before you respond. You'll learn the "calm before think" strategy for de-escalating upset employees, how to handle a team-wide crisis triggered by one inflammatory email, and when a single conversation with a difficult senior leader simply isn't enough. Whether you're a leader, in HR, or anyone trying to navigate a workplace that feels harder than it used to—this one's for you.

Resources from this episode:

• New Ways for Work Training for Workplace Coaches — March 3 & 5, 2026
• Leaders Training: Managing High Conflict Behavior at Work — April 23, 2026
• BIFF at Work by Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter
• Mediating High Conflict Disputes by Bill Eddy and Michael Lomax
• It's All Your Fault at Work by Bill Eddy and L. Georgi DiStefano

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Important Notice: Our discussions focus on behavioral patterns rather than diagnoses. For specific legal or therapeutic guidance, please consult qualified professionals in your area.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault