C.O.R.E De-Escalation - Online
2026-02-05 09:00 - 2026-02-06 16:00 (America/Inuvik)
Creating Opportunities with Respect & Empathy

Introduction

Introduction Sequence

Traditional lecture vs. skill based learning

De-escalation Overview

Goals of the course

Part I: Realizing Expectations

Being a professional brings expectations from:

The organization, the public, the media and the courts

Natural reactions in the face of conflict – Fight, Flight or Freeze

Exceptions are those who benefited from: great parents, great mentors, the Anvil of Experience (making mistakes) or effective training Experience Alone is No Guarantee of Success – Ericsson’s 10,000 hr. principle

Intergenerational Communication

For the first time, we are seeing Grandparents working on teams that contain persons their grandchildren’s age. Dr. Mary Donahoe

The Impact of Technology on Interpersonal Communication

Video Technology has created a new reality, the power of social media

Part II: It’s Not Personal!

Rationalizing the Irrational

People under the influence of negative emotions can appear irrational

Their attacks can be very personal and offensive

People Don’t Mean What They Say …

Words and meanings can be (and usually are), completely different

We need to ignore the words and search for the correct meanings

Don’t Take the Bait – 80% of Complaints Stem from Our Reaction

EGO Is the Enemy

Ultimately, that voice in our head that makes us do and say things that we never planned on doing or saying!

Compliance vs. Cooperation – Separating attitude from behavior

The Unanswered Question – the appropriate response to verbal resistance

Part III: The Learned Response

Confidence In Conflict – Confidence comes from skill acquisition and skill development Aristotle – ‘Audiences Are Made, Not Found’ and the 3 Appeals Emotional Intelligence:

Knowing who we are and what our role is (moral compass) Recognizing our emotions (and only perform the positive ones) Recognizing the emotions of others (empathy) Using this awareness to start building a relationship THE 93% RULE – It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it!

Breath! – Control your heart rate and prevent your emotions from ‘high jacking’ you

C.O.R.E. Philosophy

By recognizing and controlling our negative emotions, we can now perform only positive emotions. This mindset allows us to see opportunity in conflict as we endeavor to maintain the high ground by showing respect and diffusing the other with empathy

PROFESSIONAL RESPECT

Performed respect forms the basis of a healthy relationship

PROFESSIONAL EMPATHY

Essential for diffusing a difficult encounter – empathy absorbs tension

Part IV: Communication Essentials

Active Listening Revisited – Finding the meanings behind the words

The Power of Paraphrasing – the ultimate communication tool

Digging Deeper – asking the appropriate questions at the appropriate time

Providing Real Options – The essence of persuasion

Part V: Practical Application

Personal Security Awareness

Imminent Jeopardy

Proxemics

De-escalation Phrases – demonstrate that you are listening – refocus the contact

C.O.R.E. PROCESS

Introduction Sequence

Clarify – ask the $1,000,000 question

Establish Context– tactfully minimize resistance, build upon credibility

Proceed OR Persuade – Verify

Conclude

Case Study – application of C.O.R.E. techniques to actual events

Scenario Development – Practical application

Skill building – Introduction Sequence with De-escalation phrases

Skill building – Clarifying Sequence

Skill building – Putting it all together, no resistance

Skill building – Minimal Resistance – persuasion

Skill building – Medium Resistance – persuasion – Verify

The Ethical Protector Creed and Closing Remarks

Date: February 5 & 6, 2026Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.Cost: $550.00Instructor: Darcy PennockLocation: Online via Zoom
