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Jan 2023
34m 11s

How to Understand the High-Conflict Pers...

Kwame Christian Esq., M.A.
About this episode

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In this episode of the Negotiate Anything podcast, Dr. Ashley R. Kennard discusses how to understand and deal with high-conflict people. She provides tips on how to avoid the tendency to dehumanize the other person and offers effective ways to separate the person from the situation. This is an important episode for anyone who wants to learn how to effectively communicate with high-conflict individuals. Listen now and learn how you can improve your communication skills today!


You'll learn:

  1. Best ways to understand the high-conflict person.
  2. Separate the person from the situation.
  3. Coming to terms with the conflicting others without giving them power.

We discuss:

  1. What drives this tendency to dehumanize the other person.
  2. In-groups and out-groups.
  3. How to get out of revenge mode.



About Ashley

In the classroom, Dr. Kennard focuses on conveying the applicability of communication concepts to the real-world while challenging students to think critically about communication theories. Her teachings and research are centered on intercultural and intergroup communication, attitudes and persuasion, media effects, and health communication; particularly how each of these pertains to conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. At OWU, Dr. Kennard teaches intercultural communication, persuasion, public speaking, conflict management, and research methods.

She has conducted research on strategic message design within the realm of crafting prosocial/health campaigns and effective interventions, and she has examined the impacts of media representations on identity. Prior to entering academia, she worked as a marketing and sales representative for a national medical equipment provider where she was tasked with developing effective ways to communicate with both doctors and patients. 

Outside of the university, Dr. Kennard likes to spend her time outdoors. In 2017, she traversed through 14 states on foot, covering the entire 2,189.8 miles of the Appalachian Trail. She also likes to read, play soccer, crochet, and spend time with her nieces and nephews.


Follow Dr. Ashley R. Kennard on LinkedIn


Ohio Wesleyan University LinkedIn page


Ohio Wesleyan University website


The Appalachian Trail website


Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn


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Kwame Christian and Dr. Ashley R. Kennard.

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