In today’s workplace, de‑escalation is not just “crisis control”—it’s a core leadership competency that strengthens culture, improves collaboration, and protects psychological safety. In this Supervisors Toolbox session, we will focus on the supervisor’s role as the team regulator—the person who helps shift the room from “Fight or Flight” back to “Collaborative Problem Solving.”

We’ll explore the practical reality that you can’t argue with a brain that feels under threat. We’ll also connect escalation to its root causes (especially burnout and workload), and provide practice tools supervisors can use in real time.

Session Takeaways:

1. How to “turn the logic back on”:  Learn how to reduce perceived threat and create psychological safety so productive conversation becomes possible.
2. What supervisors do differently in the heat of the moment (EQ in action):  Using Emotional Intelligence as a leadership tool.
3. Practical tools to prevent repeat blowups (burnout + conflict patterns):  Apply actionable methods like the Five Purposeful Actions.

This program qualifies for the following CLM Credits:

CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour in the category of Communication Skills.

CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour in the subject area of Communication and Organizational Management.

Presented by Jennifer Hobson and Abigail Davis-Hess, CLM

Jenn Hobson is the Director of Human Resources at Williams Mullen and DEIA Committee Co-Chair of the Richmond ALA Chapter.

Abigail Davis-Hess, CLM is a consultant and owner of ADH-Consulting which provides Fractional Law Frim Admin services to small and solo firms.  She also provides leadership training to firms across the country.  She holds a certification is DiSC Behavioral Analysis and is currently the President-Elect of the Richmond ALA Chapter.

Meeting Sponsored By: