It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People High Conflict Behavior at Work Part 2 with Michael Lomax
Mar 5, 2026
Michael Lomax, a workplace dispute resolution practitioner and senior trainer, shares practical leadership tools for handling disruptive behavior. He explains BIFF for written responses. He outlines ways to redirect derailers in meetings. He describes using EAR to manage chronic complainers and what builds a conflict-competent culture.
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Use BIF Responses To Stop Email Wars
- Use a BIF response: brief, informative, friendly, and firm to stop email escalations before they start.
- Keep messages 3–5 sentences, stick to facts, use a friendly opening/closing, and firmly close the conversation.
Why Messages Escalate Faster Than Conversations
- Written communications often escalate faster because recipients fill in missing tone and context with their current emotions.
- Instant messaging and email remove body language cues so tired or stressed readers assume the worst and hit send quickly.
Protect Meetings With Agendas And Redirects
- Prevent meeting hijacks by issuing agendas and group norms that back the chair and redirect disruptive comments.
- If someone derails discussion, acknowledge their point then ask them to submit it for new business or to write it to the chair.
