How to De-Escalate an Upset Person

Barista with an apron talks with a customer while another barista watches.

For many of us, our first instinct when someone is upset with us is to defend ourselves and explain our side. We may walk through our reasoning, timeline, and the results, hoping things will calm down. But often, when we’re caught in a cycle of explaining our side, conflict escalates. If you want to de-escalate … Read more