High Conflict Behavior at Work with Michael Lomax

About this episode

Michael Lomax discusses the escalation of high conflict behavior in workplaces and offers strategies for leaders to manage it.

HCI senior trainer Michael Lomax joins Megan Hunter to unpack why high conflict behavior is escalating in today's workplaces—and what leaders can actually do about it. Drawing on twenty-five years in workplace dispute resolution, Michael explains why global stress and unresolved trauma are showing up at work, what happens in a leader's brain when they get emotionally hooked, and how to regulate yourself before you respond. You'll learn the "calm before think" strategy for de-escalating upset employees, how to handle a team-wide crisis triggered by one inflammatory email, and when a single conversation with a difficult senior leader simply isn't enough. Whether you're a leader, in HR, or anyone trying to navigate a workplace that feels harder than it used to—this one's for you. Resources from this episode: New Ways for Work Training for Workplace Coaches — March 3 & 5, 2026 Leaders Training: Managing High Conflict Behavior at Work — April 23, 2026 BIFF at Work by Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter Mediating High Conflict Disputes by Bill Eddy and Michael Lomax It's All Your Fault at Work by Bill Eddy and L. Georgi DiStefano Submit Questions | Full Show Notes | Bookstore | High…

People in this episode

Host: Megan Hunter

Guest: Michael Lomax

Topics covered

• high conflict behavior
• workplace disputes
• leadership strategies
• emotional regulation
• team crisis management

Keywords

• high conflict
• workplace behavior
• leadership
• emotional regulation
• crisis management
• team dynamics
• dispute resolution

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: High Conflict Institute

Products: BIFF at Work, Mediating High Conflict Disputes, It's All Your Fault at Work

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