As a former Kmart associate and call center manager, I have encountered my fair share of difficult customers. From angry phone calls to in-person interactions, it can be challenging to de-escalate a situation and provide a positive customer experience. However, it is crucial to understand the import...

I facilitated five live digital De-escalation workshops last week. A student in one of my sessions spoke up during Q&A:

"I have a question for Ms. Myra Golden. "How would we be able to handle a situation when we know or suspect that customers are experiencing mental illness?"

Learners in my De-esc...

Here's a smart question from Trisha, one of my email subscribers.

I work with a team that provides email support. I have seen a trend that I'm not sure how to address.

When de-escalating through email, they often apologize two to four times within a single interaction. Sometimes they will add in a...

When you want to end a circular conversation with an upset customer, I want you to say:

"We realize this is frustrating for you." {Then explain why you can't honor the request and offer the next steps.}

Example: "We realize this is frustrating for you, and I'd like to explain. Not only is...

As someone who has designed training call centers for 22 years, I've learned that efficiency is key to success. One of the most important metrics in this industry is Average Handle Time (AHT), which measures the average duration of a call from start to finish. Reducing AHT is essential for meeting c...

To politely control calls, ask your caller three closed-ended questions, back-to-back. I learned this tactic from a former trainer of law enforcement. The Trainer helped police officers assert their authority and maintain control by having them ask people three questions during traffic stops.

Watch...

Curious about the ingredients in my workshops? A pinch of engagement, a dash of customization, and a whole lot of psychological tactics that build confidence for delivering bad news, controlling conversations, and de-escalating... Voila! You have the recipe for the perfect customer service workshop!...

After three years, I'm back on set with my team at LinkedIn Learning to record two courses! My mornings start in the chair with celebrity makeup artist/makeup artistry career educator Tania Russell, who makes me feel like a queen! Following that, I'm in the green room to fluff out my fro and pray, a...

I feel icky writing this post.

Last week I had to practice what I teach. 

My team enrolled a repeat client into our online De-escalation Academy, which we do every day for customers around the globe. But something went wrong. Instead of getting our standard welcome email with login details, each o...

The language we use can make or break a customer experience. Customer service phrases are more than just words; they are the building blocks of a great customer service experience. In this article, I will discuss the key elements of effective customer service verbiage and share some winning phrases ...

As a customer service representative, dealing with difficult customers is an inevitable part of the job. Whether it's an angry customer, a frustrated client, or a dissatisfied customer, it's essential to have the necessary skills and strategies to handle these situations effectively. In this article...

When managing phone calls, signposting can make all the difference between a smooth and efficient conversation and a frustrating and confusing one. Signposting is the art of guiding the conversation using clear and concise language to let the caller know what to expect next. It's a crucial skill ...