C3 De-escalation® is an innovative technique designed to manage and reduce aggressive or confrontational situations effectively. Developed by author Andra Medea, it is based on research from Dr. Amy Arnsten at Yale University. The framework emphasizes practical, user-friendly strategies that can be applied in various settings, including healthcare, education, and public safety.  The core components of C3 De-escalation focus on understanding the physiological and psychological responses during conflicts. By recognizing how adrenaline and stress influence behavior, individuals can employ specific techniques to calm situations rapidly. For instance, one demonstration showed that shouting decreased by 55% in just 1.3 minutes using C3 methods.  In trauma-informed care, integrating C3 De-escalation can be particularly beneficial. Trauma-informed care involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma. By applying C3 techniques, caregivers can create safer environments, reduce stress, and empower individuals to develop better coping skills. This approach aligns with the principles of trauma-informed care, which emphasize safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment.  For a more in-depth understanding of the components of C3 De-escalation, you might find the following video helpful: # 5 Components of C3 De-Escalation <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//gIBkIf1D3pk?si=fzBPCWbyzZtn-aLd" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> ## Introduction and Background of Sue Wilson - Cynica W is the host of the "Even Better Podcast" and is excited to have Sue Wilson as a guest to discuss de-escalation techniques 00:41. - Sue Wilson is the executive director of The Helping Hand of Warren County, an [Indianola](/item/1cdb13ed-99de-4478-ac64-7150d124be63) [School Board](/item/a221e163-9ea6-415b-8136-778340113d38) member, and a board member of the CTE Hope, among other roles 01:30. - Sue Wilson has a strong background in serving the community, having worked with various organizations, including the [United Way](/item/e14dad86-6eab-4b3a-b33f-309afc412357) of Central Iowa and the Governor's Advisory Council for [Brain Injuries](/item/09e2876d-d101-43e9-b6fc-edd65ba65f0e) 01:38. - Sue Wilson is currently serving with We Lift, an organization that aims to help residents achieve self-sufficiency through job readiness, community outreach, and other programs 03:16. ## We Lift and its Programs - We Lift has three pillars of success: job readiness, community outreach, and elevating residents to self-sufficiency 03:30. - De-escalation is a highly requested training in the community, and Sue Wilson is sharing her insights and expertise on the topic 02:44. - Sue Wilson's organization, We Lift, offers various programs, including resume building, interviews, mock interviews, and financial literacy classes, to help residents achieve job readiness 03:34. - Community outreach is another key aspect of We Lift's mission, which involves educating people about the obstacles and challenges faced by the community they serve 03:47. - A month in the life of people re-entering the community after prison or jail time is a challenge that needs to be addressed, and a poverty simulation was hosted in February to educate people on the obstacles that need to be bridged 04:07. - Mental health in the workplace is another area of focus, with an annual partnership with the chamber, and this year's focus was on compassionate leadership and being prepared for tragedy in the home or workplace 04:17. ## C3 De-escalation Program Overview - C3 de-escalation is a community outreach program that has been invested in, with the goal of educating people on how to deal with emotions and de-escalate situations, and it has been well-received by nonprofits, public schools, and other organizations 04:34. - The program has been implemented in various settings, including a summer youth at-risk program, and it has been found to be effective in teaching people how to deal with their emotions in a different way 05:05. - The program is based on the idea that people don't wake up in the morning and decide to be mean or rotten, but rather they wake up and start realizing where their brain is, and then get escalated, and it's a chemical reaction rather than a character flaw 05:42. - The goal of the program is to educate people on how to meet others where they are in their journey, rather than categorizing them as mean or hot-headed 06:10. - Partnerships are a critical component of the program's success, and it works closely with general assistance, the community hub, and other providers to offer a holistic approach to self-sufficiency 06:40. - The program's approach is to offer a soft hand up, rather than just telling clients to go find resources on their own, and it emphasizes the importance of basic income and addressing anything that gets in the way of achieving it 07:29. - C3 de-escalation is a program that teaches individuals how to manage themselves in various situations, including the workplace and tough relationships, by understanding how adrenaline affects the brain and learning how to manage it 08:03. - The C3 program is typically a six-hour training that is interactive and flexible, providing individuals with tools that can be applied in different situations 08:33. ## Understanding the Brain and Adrenaline's Impact - The brain can be simplified by dividing it into two parts: the Primitive brain, which is responsible for emotions, and the higher brain, which is responsible for understanding consequences and rational thinking 09:32. - When the higher brain is engaged, it covers the emotions and provides a protective barrier, allowing individuals to think more rationally and make better decisions 09:51. - Adrenaline can flood the prefrontal cortex of the brain, knocking the higher brain offline and leaving the Primitive emotions raw and without a safety gate, leading to a flood of emotions and behaviors 10:30. - The first component of C3 de-escalation is understanding that adrenaline is a chemical reaction in the body that creates behaviors and emotions as individuals escalate 10:55. - When someone is emotional, it's essential to use non-judgmental language, and the term "flooding" is used instead of derogatory words like "drama queen" or "psycho" to avoid escalating the situation 11:42. - When the brain is flooded with adrenaline, using respectful verbiage is essential to maintain a person's integrity and honor oneself, family, clients, and the workplace 11:45. ## Importance of Integrity and Apologies - Having integrity in daily interactions can help prevent burnout, as individuals are less likely to experience anxiety and guilt over past actions 12:09. - Apologies are crucial in maintaining relationships, but people often struggle to admit wrongdoing, leading to unresolved issues and damaged relationships 12:37. - The concept of adrenaline flooding is not limited to specific professions or groups, but can occur in any line of work that involves interacting with people 13:36. ## Managing Adrenaline Flooding - Recognizing and managing adrenaline flooding is essential for individuals, including those in non-traditional high-stress jobs, to maintain respect and integrity in their interactions 14:06. - The skills learned from managing adrenaline flooding can be applied both at home and in the workplace, helping individuals to better navigate challenging situations 15:18. - Identifying personal triggers, such as a specific family member or situation, can help individuals prepare for and manage adrenaline flooding 15:28. - People respond differently to flooding, which can be triggered by various situations, including physical discomfort, pain, or stress, and it's essential to understand these responses to create effective tools for de-escalation 15:42. - There are two types of people when it comes to flooding: external flutters and silent flutters. External flutters are loud, angry, and visibly upset, while silent flutters take everything in and remain quiet, but are just as upset 16:13. - It's crucial to understand who is an external or silent flutter and create tools for each type, such as giving silent flutters space and time to process their emotions, while external flutters may need to be removed from the situation to prevent escalation 16:52. - When people are flooding, their higher brain function is offline, and they are not listening or responding logically, often resulting in broken sentences, harsh speech, and a lack of small muscle movement ability 17:31. - Flooding can also cause people to lose sight of the actual problem, bring up past issues, and experience physical symptoms such as heavy breathing, sweating, and pounding in the chest 18:02. - Adrenaline can impair small muscle movement, making it difficult to perform tasks that require fine motor skills, such as sending a text message, and can also affect peripheral vision, leading to issues like road rage 18:18. - Understanding that flooding is not entirely the person's fault and that adrenaline needs to be reduced is essential for effective de-escalation, as feeding on each other's adrenaline can escalate the situation 19:00. ## De-escalation Techniques and Strategies - When dealing with escalated individuals, it's essential to recognize that both parties may be experiencing high adrenaline levels, making it a no-win situation, and instead of engaging, it's better to step away and create space 19:40. - Pointing fingers, raising voices, and physical touch can escalate the situation further, so it's crucial to avoid these actions, especially when dealing with individuals who may have experienced trauma 19:57. - A de-escalation technique is to allow the individual to have space and time to recollect themselves, such as giving them 40 minutes of alone time, after which it's essential to engage in conversation 21:35. - In the workplace, it's also important to establish guidelines for de-escalation, recognizing that it may take longer than five minutes to resolve the situation 22:00. - External flutters, or individuals who exhibit louder and more physical symptoms of escalation, require a different approach, but the core principle of creating space and avoiding physical touch remains the same 22:11. - Leadership posture is a crucial aspect of de-escalation, which involves standing up straight, rolling shoulders back, and maintaining eye contact, without putting hands in pockets, to show that you care about the individual and are actively listening 22:25. - This posture can be used by anyone, not just leaders, and is essential in creating a safe and non-confrontational environment for de-escalation 22:29. - Maintaining a leadership posture is a powerful tool in de-escalation, as it shows respect and engagement while avoiding talking back, helping to reduce adrenaline and bring the brain back to a higher state of functioning 23:25. - This posture involves keeping hands visible and busy, such as by grabbing a pant leg, and maintaining eye contact with the person, signaling that you are engaged and listening 23:17. - Another tool is the "Board Room" technique, which involves using physical actions to calm the brain, such as lightly pushing up on a table with forearms or taking notes to engage the brain and reduce adrenaline 24:51. - Taking notes is an effective way to calm the brain, as it requires mental effort and can help push out adrenaline, allowing the higher brain to take over 25:16. - Writing down information, such as the names and topics of speakers, can be particularly effective, as it requires the brain to perform basic tasks like recalling letters and writing 25:36. - Using Play-Doh can also be a helpful tool in de-escalation, as it provides a physical activity that can calm the brain and reduce stress 26:52. - These tools may not work immediately, and it may be necessary to try multiple approaches to find what works best in a given situation 24:14. - It's essential to remember that the goal of these tools is to calm the brain and reduce adrenaline, allowing for more effective communication and de-escalation 24:02. ## Practical Tools and Techniques for De-escalation - De-escalation techniques can be used in various situations, such as in a boardroom or when interacting with at-risk or homeless populations, and it's essential to know one's triggers and symptoms to prepare ahead of time 27:22. - Preparing for a potentially difficult conversation involves knowing how to excuse oneself if needed, such as suggesting a 10-minute recess break or going to get cold water, which can help shock the brain 27:35. - Chewing can be a helpful tool for de-escalation, as it can make it difficult to argue while doing so, and some businesses have even started providing items like [Tootsie Rolls](/item/41f61563-5d1e-4e3d-b695-031f2392e4a1) to help with this 27:54. - Large muscle movements, such as walking or doing toe raises, can also be powerful in reducing stress and anxiety, and can be used in situations like walking with a client to get water or a snack 28:27. - Understanding one's symptoms and triggers is crucial, and being aware of specific triggers, such as side conversations, can help individuals prepare and communicate their needs to others 29:11. - Knowing how to work with triggers, such as taking a minute to finish a task before attending to someone else, can help individuals manage their stress and anxiety in the workplace 29:59. - Being aware of specific clients, coworkers, or groups of people that may trigger stress or anxiety can help individuals prepare themselves and have strategies in place, such as having a stress ball or a way to move their muscles 30:29. ## The Importance of Emotional Management - The world today is highly emotionally charged, with many expectations placed on individuals, including work, family, and personal responsibilities, making it essential to understand and manage one's emotions and triggers 31:16. - Understanding and managing one's symptoms, triggers, and emotions is crucial in de-escalation, as it affects how one is perceived as a brand in the community, workforce, and personal relationships 32:45. - The basis of C3 de-escalation is not about changing others, but rather about managing one's own stress, symptoms, emotions, and handling conflict 32:57. - It is essential to look inward and take responsibility for one's emotions and actions, rather than trying to change others or relying on self-help books 33:24. - If community leaders, elected officials, business owners, and other entities were to manage their emotions in a way that respects everyone, it could lead to a community of integrity where individuals can work together effectively 33:58. - Feeling disrespected is a significant trigger for escalation, and it is challenging to turn a conversation that starts with disrespect into a productive one 34:20. - Understanding and managing one's emotions is crucial in maintaining healthy relationships, including personal and professional ones 33:01. - The goal of C3 de-escalation is not to change others, but to change oneself and how one responds to situations, which can lead to positive outcomes in various aspects of life 32:50. ## Factors that Can Escalate Emotions - Fatigue can escalate someone instantly, and it's not just about lack of sleep, but also about sugar intake and its effects on the brain and body 34:45. - Caffeine can also escalate someone, especially when consumed in excess, and it's essential to limit it on emotionally challenging days 35:12. - When dealing with coworkers or family members going through a difficult time, such as a divorce or a death in the family, it's crucial to be realistic about their capacity to function and produce results 35:35. - Creating better communities and workplaces requires having plans in place to deal with challenging situations and giving people space to process their emotions 35:51. ## Gentleness in Leadership and Challenging Situations - Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness, but its root word actually means "power with control," and it's essential for leaders and business owners to gently press through challenging situations for the bigger picture 36:52. - Pastor Ben emphasizes the importance of gentleness in leadership, and Sue Wilson appreciates this perspective 36:59. ## Sue Wilson's Approach to Personal Growth and Community Impact - Sue Wilson's conversation highlights the importance of understanding one's own symptoms and triggers and making a plan to manage them, especially in highly emotionally charged conversations 37:47. - Sue Wilson's passion is to help people manage their integrity and provide tools for self-management in challenging situations 37:51. - Sue Wilson's approach to being "even better" involves complete transparency, preparing herself for challenging situations, and having the right mindset before starting her day 38:18. - The girls at home have noticed changes in their household, which is a result of working on personal growth to better the community 38:42. - Personal growth is an ongoing process, and it's normal to have days where mistakes are made and apologies are owed to others 38:57. - Every day is a new opportunity to start again with a better understanding of people and how to respond to them, recognizing that people don't choose to be angry 39:06. ## Conclusion and Call to Action - Sue is appreciated for being a treasure in the community 39:14. - The K Step team thanks listeners for joining and invites them to start their journey of becoming a certified changemaker through their Changemakers program 39:22. - The Changemakers program includes eight full-day virtual sessions over 10 months, six hours of one-on-one coaching, eight hours of intentional networking, and eight hours of personal reflection 39:36.