We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Vasco Patrício

CLIENT  In fact, any relationship management position is tough.

Namely, because clients are frequently angry or disappointed at your company.

And whose job is it to fix the mess? Yours.

Not to mention that you have to both make the company AND the client satisfied.

All in all, it's not a very easy position.

What most professionals underestimate, however, is the role of conflict management in client management.

A lot of the position is about conflict resolution.

Effectively "defusing" the person. Finding out what's wrong. Finding out how it can never happen again.

Read more

CLIENT  In fact, any relationship management position is tough.

Namely, because clients are frequently angry or disappointed at your company.

And whose job is it to fix the mess? Yours.

Not to mention that you have to both make the company AND the client satisfied.

All in all, it's not a very easy position.

What most professionals underestimate, however, is the role of conflict management in client management.

A lot of the position is about conflict resolution.

Effectively "defusing" the person. Finding out what's wrong. Finding out how it can never happen again.

Therefore, in order to effectively manage clients, we have to learn how to effectively manage conflict.

And that is what we are here to do.

WHY THIS COURSE?

Naturally, you will find multiple courses on social skills.

So... why this one?

Easy. Because it's the most complete one out there.

I've been coaching top executives and professionals for over 5 years, helping with conflict resolution in many different contexts:

  • Conflicts with co-workers that are competing in terms of workload or credit;

  • Conflicts with other executives to obtain support for key initiatives;

  • Conflicts with subordinates or managers in terms of not agreeing with the given performance ratings or reviews;

  • And many others;

What this mean in practice is that I know the techniques that disarm people. That get people to talk. That make people feel safe to voice their concerns. That reveal the source of conflicts. That make adversaries create alliances.

And many other use cases. You see where I'm going with this.

For years, I've been leveraging exclusive, proprietary techniques.

Now it's time I share some of them with you.

COURSE STRUCTURE

This short course will walk you through some core techniques for conflict resolution, especially if you're leading a team, including showing respect and empathy, analyzing the person's rules, detecting whether the person goes violent or silent, and many others.

The course has three major components:- The Diagnostic (how to assess what type of conflict you have on your hands, and what rules were broken that led to it);- The Techniques (techniques to use to de-escalate the situation including empathy, understanding, respect, guiding towards implementation, and others);- The Traps (traps to avoid that can escalate the situation or cause a misalignment of expectations later);

Not only is it a conflict resolution course, it's also, in many ways a social skills course in general, which means you will be able to transplant many of these techniques from this context to other areas of life (relationships, family, friends, and others).

LET ME TELL YOU...

And by this, I mean,

So, here is a list of everything that this course covers:

  • You'll learn about what is, technically, a conflict with a client, the major types of reasons for it, the usual process to deal with conflicts, and the benefits of being able to effectively resolve issues with clients;

  • You'll learn about the usual client types, grouped by their type and number of purchases/purchase values, the priorities of each type and the best ways to deal with them, and you'll also learn about the various levels of "touch" for clients;

  • You'll learn about the major types of client-facing disciplines (customer support, customer success, account managers), the major goals and scope of each role, and where they intersect in dealing with client conflicts. Also, the departments you may have to coordinate with, such as product management, accounting, finance, marketing, and more;

  • You'll learn about diagnosing conflicts with clients. The main causes of the conflict (changes in pricing, personal expectations, breaking of personal rules, etc), the behaviors that clients usually show of two major types ("hot conflicts" and "cold conflicts"), and how to deal with these, as well as some general best practices to effectively resolve the conflict;

  • You'll learn about using empathy and respect when dealing with the client, which help ramp down their emotions and make them feel understood - especially valuable in tense situations;

  • You'll learn about reassuring and supporting clients that may need it, including spotting the signs of negative emotions (verbal, nonverbal and written), the major methods you can use to reassure them, and the dilemmas present, such as possibly overpromising or promising things beyond our control;

  • You'll learn about making the client focused on implementation - getting them to focus on a solution, even when they're not inclined on doing that - as well as getting them to come up with options, which increases their satisfaction when a solution is found, having come from them;

  • You'll learn about how to optimise the four major modes of communication with clients - your words, your body language, your tone, and your emotions - including tips such as being clear, having open body language, not showing overtly negative emotions, and others;

  • You'll learn about the major traps in terms of disrespecting the other side, such as rushing the client, being patronising, simply not caring, and more, and how to avoid them;

  • You'll learn about the major traps in terms of lack of alignment, including mismatches in expectations, glossing over important details, false promises, being naive, and more, and how to avoid these;

  • You'll learn about the major traps in terms of the interaction with the client, including taking things personally, getting into arguments, lecturing the other side or playing favorites, as well as how to avoid these;

  • You'll learn about the major spectrums of behavior, or dichotomies, and the consequences of being on the extremes of each of these spectrums, such as providing automated versus human support, being an objective advisor versus being salesy, going the extra mile versus just being "good enough", being formal versus informal, and a lot more;

  • You'll learn about how to protect yourself using personal boundaries, politely refusing requests which are not acceptable, or attitudes which you do not tolerate;

  • You'll learn about effectively dealing with stress, be it due to dealing with large volumes of clients, difficult clients, tension due to important clients, or emotional labor in general, ways to recognise the signs of stress in yourself, and ways to deal with that stress;

  • You'll learn about effectively dealing with compassion fatigue, be it due to emotionally intense interactions, prolonged emotional interactions, or lack of recovery time, for example, ways to recognise the signs of emotional fatigue in yourself, and coping strategies to diminish that effect in yourself;

  • You'll learn about the role of technology in customer conflicts, both in terms of technology helping identify - and resolve - conflicts. You'll learn about behavioral and sentiment analysis using various tools, the major traps to avoid with technology (detection issues, overreliance, data privacy issues, others), as well as specific tips when using ChatGPT (including matching the tone and language, fact-checking for hallucinations, and so on);

  • You'll learn about dealing with pain points and "combustion points" - points in the customer journey where the client faces an issue, and points that are usually neutral but that can become pain points very quickly, respectively. You'll learn about the usual types of pain points that must be hedged (product quality issues, lack of employee training, unnecessary hurdles, not having contingencies for breakdowns), and also the usual "combustion points" in various industries (such as inventory issues in retail, appointment issues and wait times in healthcare, and many others) that must be hedged;

  • You'll see some examples of dealing with upset customers in specific scenarios, such as a client angry with raised fees in banking, customers that feel wronged by a promotion in retail, and more;

MY 

Also, I suggest you make use of the free preview videos to make sure the course really is a fit. I don't want you to waste your money.

If you think this course is a fit and can take your knowledge to the next level... it would be a pleasure to have you as a student.

See on the other side.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction 3.0
Introduction
Useful Information
Fundamentals 3.0
Read more

Vasco's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/VascoPatricio

Vasco's booking page (for consulting/coaching:
http://CoachingBooking.com/

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores techniques to de-escalate tense situations, which is valuable for professionals in customer support, customer success, and account management roles
Covers strategies for dealing with stress and compassion fatigue, which are common challenges in client-facing roles that require emotional labor
Examines the role of technology in identifying and resolving customer conflicts, including behavioral and sentiment analysis tools and tips for using ChatGPT
Discusses the importance of personal boundaries and politely refusing unacceptable requests, which is crucial for maintaining well-being in demanding client interactions
Presents a framework for diagnosing conflicts, including identifying the causes and recognizing different types of client behaviors, such as "hot conflicts" and "cold conflicts"
Includes examples of dealing with upset customers in specific scenarios, such as raised fees in banking and perceived injustices in retail promotions

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical conflict de-escalation for customer interactions

According to learners, this course provides highly practical techniques for navigating difficult interactions with upset customers. Students appreciate the structured approach covering conflict diagnosis, effective de-escalation methods like empathy and clear communication, and crucial insights into common interaction traps to avoid. Many found the sections on well-being and self-care, such as managing stress and compassion fatigue, particularly valuable for demanding roles. The real-world scenarios helped solidify understanding and demonstrated how to apply the concepts immediately in professional settings.
Clear framework for conflict resolution.
"The course structure, from diagnostic to techniques and traps, provided a logical flow that was easy to follow."
"Understanding the different types of conflict and client behaviors gave me a better framework for approaching interactions."
"The modules were well-organized, making it easy to digest the information and revisit specific topics."
"The systematic breakdown helps in analyzing situations rather than just reacting."
Real-world examples demonstrate concepts.
"The full run-through examples, like the banking or retail scenarios, were very helpful in seeing the techniques in action."
"Applying the principles to specific customer situations made the concepts much clearer and easier to remember."
"Seeing how to handle raised fees or wronged customers provided tangible ways to use the methods."
"The case studies felt very realistic and prepared me for similar situations."
Addresses stress and compassion fatigue.
"The sections on dealing with stress and compassion fatigue were unexpectedly helpful and very relevant to the emotional labor in my job."
"It's rare to see a course like this address the impact on the professional; the self-care tips were invaluable."
"Learning how to recognize signs of burnout and having strategies to cope makes a big difference."
"I feel better equipped to protect my own well-being while handling difficult customer situations."
Provides actionable methods for de-escalation.
"The techniques shared are incredibly practical and easy to apply directly to my customer service role."
"I learned several specific phrases and approaches that immediately made a difference in my calls."
"This course gave me concrete tools to manage angry clients much more effectively than before."
"Loved how the course broke down empathy and communication into actionable steps I could practice."
May be foundational for experienced pros.
"While comprehensive, some parts felt a bit basic if you've been in a client-facing role for many years."
"Someone with extensive prior training in conflict resolution might find certain modules more of a review."
"It provides a solid foundation, but perhaps less depth for advanced practitioners seeking highly nuanced strategies."
"Good for beginners or those new to formal training, but could benefit from more advanced scenarios."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for Upset Customers with these activities:
Review Communication Styles
Reviewing different communication styles will help you better understand and adapt to upset customers.
Browse courses on Communication Styles
Show steps
  • Research different communication styles.
  • Identify your own communication style.
  • Practice adapting to different styles.
Read 'Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most'
Reading this book will provide a solid foundation for handling difficult conversations with upset customers.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Reflect on how the concepts apply to customer interactions.
  • Practice using the techniques in role-playing scenarios.
Role-Play De-Escalation Scenarios
Practicing de-escalation techniques through role-playing will build confidence and improve your ability to handle real-world situations.
Show steps
  • Find a partner to role-play with.
  • Create realistic scenarios based on common customer complaints.
  • Practice using empathy, active listening, and problem-solving skills.
  • Get feedback from your partner and refine your approach.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Develop a De-Escalation Script Template
Creating a script template will help you structure your responses and ensure you cover key points during de-escalation.
Show steps
  • Identify common customer complaints and concerns.
  • Develop a script template with key phrases and questions.
  • Practice using the template in different scenarios.
  • Refine the template based on your experiences.
Volunteer at a Customer Service Hotline
Volunteering at a customer service hotline will provide real-world experience in handling upset customers and applying de-escalation techniques.
Show steps
  • Find a customer service hotline in your area.
  • Apply to volunteer and complete any necessary training.
  • Volunteer regularly and track your experiences.
  • Reflect on your successes and challenges.
Read 'Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It'
This book provides advanced negotiation techniques that can be adapted for de-escalating customer conflicts.
Show steps
  • Read the book and identify key negotiation strategies.
  • Adapt the strategies to customer service scenarios.
  • Practice using the techniques in role-playing exercises.

Career center

Learners who complete Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for Upset Customers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Client Relationship Manager
Client Relationship Managers concentrate on building and sustaining strong client partnerships. This course helps Client Relationship Managers deal with inevitable conflicts and challenges that arise in these relationships by teaching techniques for conflict resolution. The course helps the manager to better understand client types, diagnose conflict causes, and implement effective communication strategies. A Client Relationship Manager can use the course's teachings to foster trust, resolve issues promptly, and enhance overall client satisfaction.
Customer Success Manager
A Customer Success Manager focuses on building strong relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty. This course provides skills in conflict resolution, a key aspect of managing client relationships. Customer Success Managers often deal with upset or frustrated customers, and this course helps them learn techniques for de-escalation, empathy, and effective communication. The course's emphasis on diagnosing conflicts, understanding customer types, and avoiding common traps in interactions may be useful for a Customer Success Manager.
Account Manager
Account Managers are responsible for maintaining and growing relationships with specific clients. This course may be useful because it emphasizes conflict management, which is vital for resolving issues and ensuring client satisfaction. The course content, including modules on empathy, respect, and effective communication, may provide Account Managers with tools to defuse tense situations and rebuild trust. Account Managers may also find value in the course's insights into diagnosing conflict types and tailoring approaches based on customer behavior.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives are at the forefront of addressing customer concerns and complaints. This course can help Customer Service Representatives learn how to effectively manage conflict and de-escalate tense situations. The course provides strategies for showing empathy, discovering needs, and guiding the client to implementation. By understanding conflict psychology and mastering communication techniques taught in the course, a Customer Service Representative can improve customer satisfaction and resolve issues effectively.
Help Desk Technician
Help Desk Technicians directly address technical issues and provide support to customers. The course provides tools to manage customer frustrations and resolve conflicts efficiently. The course teaches about empathy, active listening, and effective communication. Help Desk Technicians can use the course's focus on conflict diagnosis and de-escalation to provide better customer support and build stronger client relationships, even in challenging situations.
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocates work to resolve patient concerns, address grievances, and ensure positive healthcare experiences. This course may be useful to Patient Advocates as it focuses on empathy, conflict resolution, and effective communication, all critical for dealing with sensitive situations. The course’s techniques for de-escalation, understanding different perspectives, and finding mutually agreeable solutions can enable a Patient Advocate to better serve patients and their families. The course covers how to protect yourself with personal boundaries.
Mediator
Mediators are neutral third parties who facilitate communication and negotiation to help resolve disputes. This course may be useful to aspiring or current Mediators since it focuses on core conflict resolution techniques. The course offers strategies for empathy and understanding, detecting whether the person goes violent or silent, and guiding parties toward mutually agreeable solutions. The course teachings on the conflict diagnostic are especially useful.
Ombudsman
An Ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints or grievances, often within an organization or institution. The course may be useful to the Ombudsman by providing specific strategies for conflict resolution, emphasizing techniques for de-escalation and effective communication. The course also provides a framework for understanding different perspectives and finding mutually agreeable solutions. By mastering these skills, an Ombudsman can better facilitate fair and impartial resolutions.
Human Resources Generalist
A Human Resources Generalist handles various employee-related responsibilities, including conflict resolution and employee relations. The course can help Human Resources Generalists learn how to effectively manage workplace conflicts and de-escalate tense situations. The course provides strategies for showing empathy, discovering underlying needs, and guiding parties toward mutually agreeable solutions. By mastering conflict psychology and communication techniques, a Human Resources Generalist can foster a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Social Worker
Social Workers provide support and resources to individuals and communities facing challenges. This course may be useful to Social Workers because it emphasizes conflict resolution, empathy, and effective communication, all essential for addressing client needs. The training on de-escalation, understanding diverse perspectives, and fostering collaboration can enable a Social Worker to better assist clients in navigating difficult situations and improving their well-being.
Property Manager
Property Managers oversee the operations of residential, commercial, or industrial properties, which includes handling tenant disputes and resolving conflicts. This course teaches techniques for conflict resolution, de-escalation strategies, and communication skills, Property Managers will be better equipped to address tenant issues and maintain positive relationships with residents. The modules on empathy and understanding different perspectives from this course may be useful.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage an organization's reputation and communications. This course may be useful to effectively navigate crisis situations and address public concerns. By mastering the techniques for empathy, respect, and clear communication taught in the course, a Public Relations Specialist can help rebuild trust and maintain a positive public image. The course emphasizes dealing with stress and compassion fatigue.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives are responsible for generating revenue by selling products or services to customers. While primarily focused on sales, dealing with upset customers is sometimes necessary, especially when addressing concerns about pricing or product quality. This course may be useful by providing some insight into conflict resolution techniques, such as using empathy and active listening. The course's focus on understanding client needs and implementation focus can help a Sales Representative turn potentially negative interactions into opportunities for building stronger customer relationships.
Teacher
Teachers educate and guide students, but they also often encounter conflicts with students, parents, or colleagues. This course may be useful for Teachers in managing classroom dynamics and addressing behavioral issues. This course teaches skills for conflict resolution. By learning techniques for empathy, effective communication, and de-escalation, Teachers can foster a more positive and productive learning environment.
Project Manager
Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects. While not always directly involved in customer-facing roles, Project Managers often need to address conflicts within their teams or with stakeholders. This course may be useful to improve communication and collaboration within the team. This course discusses conflict resolution. By learning techniques for de-escalation, empathetic listening, and clear communication, Project Managers can better manage team dynamics and prevent conflicts from escalating.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for Upset Customers.
Provides a framework for handling difficult conversations, which is directly applicable to de-escalating upset customers. It offers practical advice on understanding the underlying structure of these conversations and navigating them effectively. The book valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills in high-stakes situations. It is commonly used as a reference by professionals in various fields.
This book, written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, provides valuable insights into negotiation and de-escalation techniques. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, active listening, and emotional intelligence in resolving conflicts. While focused on high-stakes negotiations, the principles can be effectively applied to customer service interactions. is more valuable as additional reading to deepen understanding of conflict resolution.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser