What should you do after a de-escalation incident?

1 Assess your emotions

After a de-escalation incident, you may feel a range of emotions, such as relief, anger, frustration, fear, or guilt. These are normal reactions, but they can also affect your well-being and performance. It is important to acknowledge and process your emotions in a healthy way. You can do this by talking to someone you trust, writing in a journal, practicing breathing exercises, or engaging in self-care activities. Do not bottle up or ignore your feelings, as they may resurface later and cause more stress.

2 Review the incident

Another step you can take after a de-escalation incident is to review what happened and what you did. This can help you identify what worked well and what could be improved. You can ask yourself questions such as: What triggered the conflict? How did you communicate with the other person? What strategies did you use to de-escalate the situation? What was the outcome? How did you feel during and after the incident? You can also seek feedback from others who witnessed or were involved in the incident, such as your colleagues, supervisor, or mentor.

3 Learn from the experience

Based on your review of the incident, you can learn from the experience and improve your de-escalation skills. You can look for areas where you need more training, practice, or support. You can also look for resources that can help you develop your de-escalation skills, such as books, articles, courses, or workshops. You can also set goals for yourself and track your progress. For example, you can aim to use more active listening, empathy, or assertiveness in your next de-escalation incident.

4 Report the incident

Depending on the nature and severity of the de-escalation incident, you may need to report it to your organization or authority. This can help you document what happened, protect yourself from liability, and prevent future incidents. You should follow the policies and procedures of your organization or authority when reporting a de-escalation incident. You should also be honest, accurate, and objective in your report. Do not exaggerate, omit, or blame anyone for the incident.

5 Follow up with the other person

If possible and appropriate, you may want to follow up with the other person involved in the de-escalation incident. This can help you build rapport, resolve any remaining issues, and prevent further escalation. You can follow up with the other person by sending a message, making a phone call, or arranging a meeting. You should be respectful, courteous, and sincere in your follow-up. You should also avoid bringing up the past conflict or criticizing the other person.

6 Seek support if needed

Finally, you should seek support if you need it after a de-escalation incident. De-escalation incidents can be stressful, challenging, and traumatic. They can affect your mental, emotional, and physical health. You should not hesitate to seek support from your friends, family, co-workers, or professionals if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or burned out. You should also seek support if you experience any symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as flashbacks, nightmares, or avoidance. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and resilience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?