Deëscalation tip #30

Work in teams. If you are already operating with at least one other, great. If not, try to recruit. Do not hesitate to be assertive with bystanders. "Please don't interfere, my friend." "If you can, please find a drink of water for him." "Kindly show compassion and lower your voice, please." "Let's put a hold on the debate for a minute, please, and see if we can make progress together." "There's time to discuss the fine points a bit later, once we can all hear each other." "Understood. Can we put a pin in that and focus on emotional care for a minute?

Create a team on the fly if necessary. Do not fear leadership, just stress humility as you engage assertively.