We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
ICMI LEARNING

In a customer-facing business, we may routinely come across customers who are upset and are likely to express their dissatisfaction to the teams managing them. Handling such customers is a unique and much-desired skill for any professional. The present course helps you with the necessary tips and techniques for working with angry customers. You will learn the methods to hold your own emotional reaction to such events to resolve the issue at hand and make the customer satisfied without creating a spill-over effect on others.

Read more

In a customer-facing business, we may routinely come across customers who are upset and are likely to express their dissatisfaction to the teams managing them. Handling such customers is a unique and much-desired skill for any professional. The present course helps you with the necessary tips and techniques for working with angry customers. You will learn the methods to hold your own emotional reaction to such events to resolve the issue at hand and make the customer satisfied without creating a spill-over effect on others.

The techniques and elements that you will learn in this course will help you understand various customer behaviors, which are the manifestation of emotions such as anger, sadness, and frustration. You can use these techniques when discussing with any type of customer, firstly to avoid upsetting them and in the worst case how to repair situations to calm clients so that the situation can be resolved.

We will provide examples along the way, meant to display positive and negative approaches to situations with angry customers. We will also offer you e-mail and chat templates, phone call scripts, and a series of quizzes, for you to be able to examine the knowledge you gained.

The course provides hands-on, easy-to-apply training on

A. Supporting your Customers Emotionally

B. Supporting your Customers Operationally

Building Rapport

Controlling the Calls

De-escalating Conversations

C. How to Manage Stress and Show Gratitude

How to Manage Stress

How to Show Gratitude

D. Additional Resources

Email Templates

Phone Scripts for Angry Customers

Live Chat Templates

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Managing upset customer
  • Difficult customer
  • How to handle customer emotionally
  • How to handle customer operationally

Syllabus

Building Rapport 5
Introduction
Supporting your Customers Emotionally
Example 5
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides email, chat, and phone templates, which are useful resources for customer service professionals who need quick solutions and examples in their daily interactions
Teaches techniques to understand customer behaviors rooted in emotions like anger and frustration, which are essential for effective communication and conflict resolution in customer service
Focuses on managing personal stress and showing gratitude, which are important skills for maintaining a positive attitude and preventing burnout in demanding customer service roles
Includes quizzes to examine the knowledge gained, which helps learners assess their understanding and retention of the course material and identify areas for improvement

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 training for managing upset customers

According to students, this course provides practical, easy-to-apply techniques for dealing with difficult customer interactions. Learners frequently highlight the usefulness of the templates and scripts provided, finding them immediately applicable in real-world situations. The course is often praised for its clear approach to de-escalation and managing one's own stress. However, some reviewers feel the content is best suited for beginners in customer-facing roles and may lack the depth required for more complex or advanced scenarios. The presentation style is generally found to be clear, though a few mention it can be somewhat dry. Overall, the feedback indicates the course successfully delivers on its promise to equip professionals with fundamental skills for managing upset customers.
Clear but sometimes perceived as dry.
"The instructor is knowledgeable and the content is clear."
"Some lectures felt a bit dry, but the information was valuable."
"Liked the straightforward delivery style, easy to follow along."
"The presentation is clear, but could be more engaging."
Solid foundation for new professionals.
"This is a great starting point if you're relatively new to customer service or handling complaints."
"Perfect course for someone needing the basics of handling difficult people and managing their own reactions."
"As a beginner in a customer-facing role, I found the pace and content very accessible and easy to grasp."
Valuable content on managing personal stress.
"The part on managing personal stress after difficult interactions was surprisingly useful and needed."
"Appreciated the focus on handling the emotional toll of the job; it's a critical aspect often overlooked."
"The tips on staying calm under pressure and recovering afterwards were helpful takeaways."
Effective methods for calming situations.
"The strategies for de-escalating conversations are clearly explained and work well."
"Learned effective ways to calm down angry customers step-by-step."
"The de-escalation module is the strongest part of the course for me; it provided much-needed structure."
Templates and scripts are highly valuable.
"The email and chat templates were a fantastic bonus; they save so much time."
"I keep the phone scripts handy during my calls with upset clients."
"Found the additional resources, especially the templates, extremely helpful for practice and real situations."
"The provided resources like templates and scripts are a great takeaway from the course."
Techniques and tools are immediately useful.
"The techniques are very practical and I could use them right away in my job."
"Gave me concrete strategies for dealing with difficult customer calls which I applied immediately."
"I found the methods for de-escalation really useful in my daily work with customers."
"The hands-on approach and examples made it easy to understand and apply."
May lack depth for complex situations.
"While good for fundamentals, I wish there was more depth on really complex or unique customer scenarios."
"It covers the basics well, but seasoned professionals might find it too simple or repetitive."
"Could use more advanced tactics beyond the fundamental de-escalation techniques presented."
"I felt some topics were covered quickly and could benefit from deeper dives or more varied examples."

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 Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers with these activities:
Review Active Listening Techniques
Reviewing active listening techniques will help you better understand customer emotions and build rapport, which are crucial for de-escalating tense situations.
Browse courses on Active Listening
Show steps
  • Research active listening techniques online.
  • Practice active listening with a friend or family member.
  • Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses.
Review 'Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most'
Reading this book will provide a solid foundation for understanding the dynamics of difficult conversations and applying effective communication strategies.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Difficult Conversations'.
  • Take notes on key concepts and strategies.
  • Reflect on how these strategies can be applied to customer interactions.
Role-Play Scenarios with a Colleague
Practicing common scenarios with a colleague will help you internalize the techniques learned in the course and improve your ability to respond effectively under pressure.
Show steps
  • Develop a list of common upset customer scenarios.
  • Role-play each scenario with a colleague, taking turns being the customer and the representative.
  • Provide each other with constructive feedback.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Develop a Personal De-escalation Script
Creating a personalized script will help you internalize de-escalation techniques and have a readily available resource during challenging customer interactions.
Show steps
  • Review the de-escalation techniques covered in the course.
  • Write a script that incorporates these techniques in your own words.
  • Practice using the script in role-playing scenarios.
Review 'Emotional Intelligence 2.0'
Reading this book will enhance your understanding of emotional intelligence and its application in customer service.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Emotional Intelligence 2.0'.
  • Complete the self-assessment exercises in the book.
  • Identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance your emotional intelligence.
Mentor Junior Colleagues on Handling Upset Customers
Mentoring others reinforces your own understanding of the course material and provides valuable practical experience in applying the techniques.
Show steps
  • Offer to mentor junior colleagues on handling upset customers.
  • Share your knowledge and experience with them.
  • Provide constructive feedback on their performance.
Create a Presentation on De-escalation Techniques
Creating a presentation will solidify your understanding of de-escalation techniques and allow you to share your knowledge with others.
Show steps
  • Research and gather information on de-escalation techniques.
  • Create a presentation that covers the key concepts and strategies.
  • Present the information to your team or colleagues.

Career center

Learners who complete Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Customer Service Representative
A Customer Service Representative is often the first point of contact for customers, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring satisfaction. This role requires the ability to handle upset customers with empathy and efficiency. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps build skills in supporting customers emotionally and operationally, which are crucial for success as a Customer Service Representative. The course's focus on building rapport, controlling calls, and de-escalating conversations provides techniques applicable to daily interactions. Moreover, the email and chat templates, along with phone scripts, in the course become valuable tools for navigating challenging customer situations. Learning how to manage stress and show gratitude, as taught in this course, can also improve the quality of service provided and personal well being.
Client Success Manager
Client Success Managers focus on ensuring that clients achieve their desired outcomes while using a product or service. Part of this role involves addressing client concerns and resolving issues that may arise, sometimes requiring difficult conversations. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps a Client Success Manager better build and maintain relationships with clients. The course's emphasis on supporting customers emotionally and operationally helps Client Success Managers provide comprehensive support. Skills in building rapport and controlling calls, as taught in the course, help in proactively managing client relationships and preventing issues from escalating. Additionally, understanding how to manage stress and show gratitude contributes to positive client interactions.
Account Manager
Account Managers are responsible for maintaining and growing relationships with clients, which sometimes involves navigating difficult conversations and resolving conflicts. When client expectations are not met, an Account Manager needs to be adept at addressing concerns and finding solutions. This course helps you manage these delicate situations. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps build skills in de-escalating conversations and supporting customers emotionally, which are critical for an Account Manager. Learning to control calls and build rapport, also part of the course, helps in maintaining positive client relationships, even under pressure. Furthermore, the additional resources such as email templates can assist in efficient and professional communication with clients.
Concierge
Concierges provide personalized assistance to clients or guests, addressing their needs, resolving complaints, and ensuring their satisfaction. This role often involves handling difficult requests and managing expectations. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps Concierges build the skills to handle upset customers effectively and de-escalate conversations. By learning techniques for supporting customers emotionally and operationally, as taught in the course, Concierges can provide top-tier service. Additionally, skills in building rapport and controlling calls can help create positive interactions and foster client loyalty.
Technical Support Specialist
Technical Support Specialists assist customers with technical issues related to products or services, often encountering frustrated and upset individuals. Successfully managing these interactions requires not only technical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course specifically focuses on techniques for working with angry customers, which is directly relevant to a Technical Support Specialist's daily tasks. This course may also benefit specialists as it covers how to support customers both emotionally and operationally, which is what is expected of specialists. Learning to de-escalate conversations, as taught in the course, helps in resolving technical issues efficiently while maintaining customer satisfaction.
Call Center Manager
Call Center Managers oversee teams of customer service representatives and are responsible for ensuring that customer interactions are handled effectively and efficiently. The ability to train and mentor staff in managing upset customers is essential for this role. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course provides insights into various customer behaviors and the manifestation of emotions such as anger and frustration, which can directly inform training programs. Call Center Managers can use the techniques learned in the course to develop strategies for building rapport, controlling calls, and de-escalating conversations within their teams. The email and chat templates, along with phone scripts, offered in the course can serve as valuable resources for call center staff.
Patient Advocate
Patient Advocates work to ensure that patients receive the best possible care and have their rights and concerns addressed. This often involves navigating complex healthcare systems and mediating disputes between patients, their families, and healthcare providers. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps Patient Advocates. This course focuses on managing emotional reactions, which equips Patient Advocates with the necessary strategies to support patients and their families during challenging times. The techniques for building rapport, controlling conversations, and de-escalating conflicts, as taught in the course, also enable Patient Advocates to effectively communicate and advocate for their patients' needs.
Property Manager
Property Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of residential or commercial properties, which includes addressing tenant concerns, resolving maintenance issues, and enforcing lease agreements. Managing tenant relations often involves handling complaints and resolving conflicts. This role requires emotional intelligence and communication skills. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps Property Managers build skills to address complaints, de-escalate conversations, and support tenants emotionally. The course provides hands-on training in managing stress, which is essential for navigating the demands of property management.
Sales Representative
Sales Representatives often encounter objections and resistance from potential customers, requiring them to navigate challenging conversations and build trust. Even after a deal is closed, Sales Representatives may handle client complaints. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course may be useful. Managing objections and resolving complaints effectively contributes to building long-term relationships and driving sales. This course helps provide insight into how people react to conversations, and how to ensure that the client remains calm. The course's emphasis on building rapport, controlling conversations, and de-escalating conflicts can be directly applied to sales interactions. Furthermore, the principles of managing stress and showing gratitude help in maintaining a positive attitude and approach during the sales process.
Social Media Manager
Social Media Managers are responsible for managing a company's online presence, which includes responding to comments, addressing complaints, and mitigating negative sentiment. How a company handles complaints can have significant impact on their reputation. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course may be useful for Social Media Managers, as it provides the skills to handle upset customers and de-escalate conversations. Managers can learn techniques for building rapport and supporting customers emotionally, which is useful in online interactions. Furthermore, the course's available templates for emails and live chats can be directly adapted for responding to customer inquiries and complaints on social media platforms.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists manage a company's reputation and brand image, often acting as a liaison between the organization and the public. This includes handling negative feedback and addressing concerns from stakeholders. Learning to de-escalate conversations is key. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course may be useful for a Public Relations Specialist. The course's emphasis on understanding customer behaviors and managing emotional reactions helps Specialists handle potentially explosive situations with poise. The techniques for building rapport and controlling calls, as taught in the course, also enable Specialists to communicate effectively and maintain a positive image for the organization.
Crisis Counselor
Crisis Counselors provide immediate support and intervention to individuals experiencing emotional distress or facing traumatic events. This role requires excellent interpersonal communication skills, empathy and emotional intelligence. Some Crisis Counselor positions require an advanced degree. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps one to support others emotionally. Learning how to manage stress is an important part of the course. This training can help a Crisis Counselor effectively assist others. This course may be useful for counselors because it covers difficult customer situations.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists handle a wide range of employee-related issues, including conflict resolution, employee relations, and addressing grievances. Mediating disputes and managing sensitive conversations requires strong interpersonal skills. This often requires the ability to handle difficult people and conversations. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course helps HR Generalists build vital skills. The course's focus on building rapport, controlling conversations, and de-escalating conflicts helps HR Generalists navigate employee relations challenges with greater confidence. Furthermore, the principles of managing stress and showing gratitude, as taught in the course, enable HR Generalists to maintain a positive and supportive work environment.
Ombudsman
An Ombudsman is a designated neutral party who helps to resolve disputes and address concerns within an organization or community. It may be necessary to hold confidential meetings with upset or angry people. This role requires the ability to listen empathetically, mediate conflicts, and find fair solutions. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course may be useful for Ombudsmen, as it provides techniques for understanding and managing emotional reactions. This role also requires the ability to de-escalate conversations, which is a key element of the course. Learning to build rapport and control conversations, as taught in the course, also enables Ombudsmen to effectively facilitate communication and find common ground between conflicting parties.
Mediator
Mediators are neutral third parties who facilitate communication and negotiation between disputing parties, helping them reach a mutually agreeable resolution. This role requires strong active listening skills, empathy, and the ability to manage emotional reactions. Mediators typically hold an advanced degree. The "Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers" course may be useful for mediators, as it provides techniques for understanding and managing emotional reactions, which are essential for effective mediation. The course's emphasis on building rapport, controlling conversations, and de-escalating conflicts can be directly applied to the mediation process. Furthermore, the training in managing stress helps mediators maintain neutrality and make sound judgements.

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 Professional Training for Managing Upset Customers.
Provides a framework for understanding and navigating difficult conversations, which is directly applicable to handling upset customers. It offers practical advice on managing emotions, understanding different perspectives, and finding common ground. The book is particularly helpful for developing strategies to de-escalate tense situations and build stronger customer relationships. It commonly used reference for professionals in customer service and 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