Picture this: you're handling a customer call, and suddenly you feel that familiar knot in your stomach. The customer's tone has shifted, their questions are becoming repetitive, and you're thinking, "I really hope this doesn't escalate." Sound familiar? Here's what most people don't realize - that ...

The landscape of customer service has fundamentally shifted, and if you're still measuring success by how quickly problems get solved, you're missing the real reason calls escalate. After two decades of studying high-pressure conversations and interviewing thousands of frontline professionals, I can...

Picture this: an angry customer is on your phone, voice raised, cutting you off. Your heart starts racing, your shoulders tense up, and before you know it, you're matching their energy. Sound familiar? We've all been there, and it's not fun for anyone involved.

But what if I told you there's a simp...

Picture this: two chimpanzees locked in a fierce battle. One, realizing he's losing, makes a surprising move. He grabs a baby chimp and holds it up to his opponent. Instantly, the aggression melts away. The alpha's testosterone plummets, and calm descends.

This isn't just an interesting animal b...

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a customer is being downright disrespectful, but you still have to help them? It's a challenging spot that many customer service professionals face daily. You're doing your job, staying calm, and suddenly it feels like you're under attack. You're not...

We’ve all been there: A customer is venting, repeating themselves, or escalating fast. You’re trying to stay composed and guide the conversation—but then something slips out:

“Calm down.”

“My supervisor will just tell you the same thing.”

“I’m just trying to help.”

“Ma’am, if you’ll just l...

As customer service professionals, we're often praised for our empathy. It's what allows us to connect with customers, understand their frustrations, and provide genuine support. But for those of us who are natural empaths, this gift can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword. We don't just hear o...

We've all been there. You're on a call with a frustrated customer, doing your best to help, when suddenly they drop the dreaded line: "I want to speak to your supervisor." Your heart sinks. Escalating won't change the outcome, but pushing back might worsen things. So what's the right move?

Here'...

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a customer is venting their frustrations, and you struggle to regain control of the conversation? We've all been there. It's a challenging moment that can leave even the most experienced customer service professionals feeling overwhelmed. But what if...

Have you ever found yourself face-to-face with an irate customer, feeling like you're walking on eggshells? We've all been there. It's a challenging situation that can leave even the most seasoned customer service professionals flustered. But what if I told you there's a simple yet powerful techniqu...

Have you ever encountered a situation where you followed every rule and applied your training, yet the customer was still upset? It’s a frustrating reality, but know that even the most seasoned customer service professionals face this challenge. The good news is that I’m here to help you navigate th...

Ever felt like you're trying to put out a fire with gasoline when dealing with an agitated customer? We've all been there. But what if I told you there's a simple yet powerful technique that can transform those heated interactions into productive conversations? Let's dive into the "move the bed" met...