De-escalate The Defensive Room
Use Expectancy Violations Theory (Judee Burgoon) to make a sequence of nonverbal adjustments under pressure.
The room shifts At 2:15 p.m., three stakeholders stop taking notes, two cameras go off, and the project sponsor says, “Let us be realistic.” You have six minutes to keep the conversation useful before the decision slips a week. Your nonverbal response will either widen or narrow the threat. Expectancy Violations Theory (Judee Burgoon) Use observe-adjust-check as the loop. A room that can think again. Do the smallest visible thing that restores safety and attention. 01 Notice 02 Reset 03 Invite Cue cluster People lean back and stop volunteering. What is your first move? Visible adjustment The sponsor folds arms…
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