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 Conflict Institute
Watch this episode on YouTube!

Important Notice: Our discussions focus on behavioral patterns rather than diagnoses. For specific legal or therapeutic guidance, please consult qualified professionals in your area.

(00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
(01:19) - Michael’s Background
(02:35) - High Conflict at Work
(08:24) - An Increase
(11:33) - How It’s Showing Up
(14:11) - Getting Emotionally Hooked
(18:32) - What You Can Do and Regulating
(23:12) - Shifting into Problem-Solving
(29:13) - Email Conflict
(35:40) - Options List
(37:14) - Wrap Up