logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
30m 45s

E361 | Tips for De-Escalating a Heated C...

Brett Bartholomew
About this episode

We’ve all been there, and watched it happen from afar. 

Something happens, and the temperature starts to rise. Tempers flare, and the situation becomes heated. These moments can reveal sides of us we’re not particularly proud of.

How should we respond when life gets tense and others lack empathy or communicate in passive-aggressive ways? What actions can we take to navigate these difficult interactions without making things worse? 

To move forward, we must find a way to counter our adrenaline, exude control, and convey compassion. Avoidance is never the answer. The only way out is through.

In today’s practical, real-world episode, Brett discusses:

    • The #1 thing people ultimately want in conflict
    • Conflict archetypes and the importance of knowing which one you are
    • How and when to make concessions without “losing” or admitting fault
    • Why taking a pause or a deep breath isn’t the most practical advice
  • BONUS: A crash course in how to NOT piss people off 

Want to host your own AOC Inservice?

As a leader, you’ve likely thought, “There’s got to be a better way to handle this.” That’s where we come in. We’ve helped organizations like Apple, Microsoft, NFL and MLS teams, and even the Canadian Special Forces tackle tough topics like managing culture and navigating messy internal dynamics.

Each inservice is tailored to the unique needs of your team. This isn’t a cookie-cutter, feel-good workshop. We deliver actionable tools to manage emotions, de-escalate tension, rebuild culture, and communicate more effectively - tools you can apply NOW.

Email us at info@artofcoaching.com to learn more, and visit artofcoaching.com to see how we can help.

Come spend two days with us at AOC HQ!

This year, we’re thrilled to open our doors in Phoenix, AZ, for an exclusive two-day retreat tailored entirely to you! With a personalized curriculum, access to our gym and pool, private suites, and the camaraderie of like-minded individuals, you’ll leave with clarity, focus, and renewed energy to crush your goals.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Email us at info@artofcoaching.com to learn more and secure your spot today.

Improv Only Workshop

Work in a high-stakes environment that demands constant focus? If you or your team need to disconnect and have fun—while building skills like problem-solving, active listening, and creative thinking—this workshop is for you!

Top companies like Google and professional sports teams have hired US to run these workshops, using games inspired by Whose Line Is It Anyway? tailored to meet specific professional goals. They’ve seen tremendous value, and we’re confident you will too.

Interested? Email info@artofcoaching.com with "Improv Only Workshop" in the subject line for more details!

Related Episodes:

E310 | A Key Strategy For Avoiding Misunderstandings

E294 | Why Do I Freeze Up? How To Handle Stressful Situations Like A Pro

Follow Us:

Website: ArtofCoaching.com

Instagram: @coach_brettb

X: @coach_brettb

Up next
Aug 18
E390 | Subtle Strategies that Make You More Persuasive
When most people think about persuasion, they go straight to education (“if they just understood, they’d agree”), inspiration (“let me tell you an inspiring story”), or force (“do this now”). But there’s a big difference between persuasion, influence, power, and warmth — and unde ... Show More
21m 44s
Aug 11
E389 | The Truth About Narcissism: 4 Types You Need to Know (and How to Navigate Them)
These days, it feels like everyone is calling someone a narcissist. Ex-partner? Narcissist. Difficult boss? Narcissist. Confident stranger on Instagram? Must be a narcissist. The term has been thrown around so loosely that it’s lost its meaning—and worse, it’s become a lazy way t ... Show More
35m 56s
Aug 5
E388 | How to Deal with Haters
Have you ever gotten a negative review on something you've made or your business? Received a one-star rating? Dared to venture into the comment section—or worse—overheard someone trashing your work? It’s a law of the universe: haters are inevitable the moment you take a stance, m ... Show More
18m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Don't Let These 3 Things Ruin Your Life
It’s easy to get in your own way and sabotage your happiness without even realizing it. Even with all the external measures of success, many of us still feel unfulfilled. Why? Because we let the wrong things dictate our mindset and our worth. In this episode, I explore three comm ... Show More
12m 37s
Jan 2025
3 Mindset Shifts To Completely Transform Your Life & Relationships
Get my new book Make Money Easy here!The School of Greatness is proud to celebrate the start of Black History Month and showcase powerful voices, as Eric Thomas, Bozoma Saint John, and Stephan Speaks share transformative insights about life, purpose, and relationships. Eric Thoma ... Show More
1h 22m
May 11
The REAL Reason Progress Isn't Making You Feel Better w Annalie Howling
🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode includes a discussion of self-harm. Please take care while listening. You’re doing everything right — checking the boxes, reaching your goals, and growing on paper. But deep down, something still feels off. Why doesn’t the progress stick? Why does ... Show More
53m 3s
Jul 24
Everything You Know About Mindset is Wrong
This clip is from Brendon's 2hr training in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthDay app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get the full training by becoming a member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://growthday.go.link/gCW0U⁠⁠⁠⁠ If mindset is the key to success, why do so many people feel stuck even when they're “doing the work”? The truth is, mos ... Show More
28m 8s
Sep 2024
the 48 laws of power: episode 2 (laws for taking your power BACK) [preview]
Do you ever think about how much your reputation shapes your life? Or feel like you're constantly stuck in a cycle of reactivity, wishing you could be more strategic in your planning? In this second episode of our special mini-series on Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power, we di ... Show More
45m 22s
Feb 2023
The Simple Art Of Subtracting To Get More Fulfillment Out Of Life | Leidy Klotz
In today’s episode, we cover the science of subtraction with Leidy Klotz. Leidy studies the science of design, his research has appeared in both Nature and Science, and his book, Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less, was ranked as one of the most influential titles in the field ... Show More
1h 6m
May 29
The Thought Pattern That’s Secretly Killing Your Momentum
If you keep telling yourself you're not good enough, not ready, or not capable—your momentum will stall before it ever truly begins. In this energizing episode, Brendon Burchard reveals the hidden cost of always being “on” and why never pausing can actually diminish your creativi ... Show More
13m 1s
Feb 2025
How to Take COMMAND of Your Life
Are you tired of waiting for things to change and ready to take full control of your future? In this episode, Brendon Burchard reveals the mindset and strategies you need to assert yourself, take initiative, and develop high agency in every area of your life. In this episode, you ... Show More
13m 12s
Jan 2025
Stop Bad Habits with Self-Reflection
Do you ever feel stuck in your bad habits, unsure of what’s holding you back or how to move forward? In this episode, Brendon Burchard dives into the transformative power of self-reflection and how it can unlock purposeful insights about your life, your behaviors, and the world a ... Show More
16m 45s
Aug 2024
Learn How To Control Your Mind (Use This To Brainwash Yourself)
In today's episode, we delve into the fascinating world of the reticular activating system (RAS) and how it shapes our perception of reality. Think of your brain as a bouncer at the door, filtering out irrelevant information and letting in only what’s important – and the best par ... Show More
18m 37s