How Does Verbal De-Escalation Use Nonverbal Communication?

Did you know verbal de-escalation involves more than just speaking?

Want to prepare yourself and practice de-escalation now?

Verbal de-escalation is the process by which a person in an agitated state can be “talked down” and spoken to in a way to help defuse the situation. This also includes nonverbal communication.

Be aware of your body language ‒ Even though you are verbally de-escalating, your nonverbal communication is just as important. Relax your body, stand as you normally would with your hands unclenched and visible. If you’re tense, the aggressor may notice and recognize that you don’t have full control over your emotions. Keep a healthy distance away from them, as being too close can increase their agitation.

Think clearly and calmly ‒ Put all your focus into the situation at hand. It may be hard, but don’t let your mind race; that will interfere with your ability to properly evaluate the situation as it unfolds and to make smart decisions. A racing mind can also be detected through body language. If it appears that you aren’t truly giving all your attention to the aggressor, they may become more agitated.

Visit our website to learn how active listening can aid in verbal de-escalation.

Prevent violence with TPOP’s verbal de-escalation training

Do you want to protect your staff from workplace violence?

TPOP’s verbal de-escalation training can teach you and your staff how to properly respond to potentially dangerous interpersonal confrontations. You’ll learn situational awareness, how to respond to agitation with empathy, detailed de-escalation techniques, and the threat protocol response.

Give your employees the knowledge and confidence to manage workplace conflict before it turns into workplace violence.

Call us today at 833-723-3893 or fill out a contact form to discuss your company’s training needs.

Actions You Can Take to De-Escalate a Situation

 Do you want to be prepared to eliminate threats?

Want to understand aggression and empathy?

What is verbal de-escalation? Verbal de-escalation is the process by which a person in an agitated state can be “talked down” and spoken to in a manner that can defuse the situation. It can help the person toward a more reasonable state of mind and reduce the potential threat.

You can minimize threats by noticing the situation as it begins, actively listening, and empathizing with the aggressor.

Be situationally aware ‒ By being situationally aware, you can notice anomalies like volume of voice, the distance between people and body language. If you see something that isn’t normal for your environment, you have the chance to report or  de-escalate, potentially preventing violence in the workplace.

Actively listen without judgement ‒ Violent behavior is usually triggered by stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues. You might not agree with the aggressor, but don’t minimize their struggles. Show a little empathy and truly listen to their concerns without judgement. This can make them feel they are being heard and understood, which can calm them down. Make direct eye contact with them and nod your head to show you are listening. Ask questions when necessary to show that you’re engaged.

To learn more verbal de-escalation techniques, visit our website.

Prevent violence with TPOP’s verbal de-escalation training

Do you want to protect your staff from workplace violence?

TPOP’s verbal de-escalation training can teach you and your staff how to properly respond to potentially dangerous interpersonal confrontations. You’ll learn situational awareness, how to respond to agitation with empathy, detailed de-escalation techniques, and the threat protocol response.

Give your employees the knowledge and confidence to manage workplace conflict before it turns into workplace violence.

Call us today at 833-723-3893 or fill out a contact form to discuss your company’s training needs.