Navigate Discomfort with Confidence

Most escalations in team or ERG meetings can be avoided by pausing early and gently re-centering the discussion. Use this simple cheat sheet to address discomfort early so conversations stay nonpartisan and productive.

Spotting Early Signs of Tension

• Sighs, eye rolls, or side comments

• Interrupting or talking over others

• Shifts in tone or pace

• Silence that feels heavy, not thoughtful

• A participant withdrawing suddenly

• A conversation moving from “the process” to “the people”

These signals help you intervene before things tip into debate.

Resetting the Conversation: Quick, Neutral Scripts

If something starts feeling tense, try one of these:

• “Let’s take a quick pause to reset.”

• “Let’s bring it back to the information we’re reviewing.”

• “Strong feelings are normal. Let’s take a breath and stay in learning mode.”

• “Let’s remember our purpose: exploring helpful information, not debating.”

These lines gently steer without calling anyone out.