Lead the People

Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA left a successful career as a trial lawyer to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, trainer, and a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s mission carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts to training life inmates to be peacemakers and mediators in maximum-security prisons.

Top 3 Takeaways

  1. Conflict is brain science—our response to emotion has a biological basis, and understanding this is key to resolving conflict in the workplace.
  2. Stop shouting—We yell when we feel that we’re not being heard. We can de-escalate others and ourselves when we stop the yelling and start listening to and conveying emotions.
  3. Prioritize leadership development—learning “soft” skills like mediation will serve you well as you progress in your leadership journey and advance in your career.

From the Source

“When people get under stress—when they're in a situation they can't handle—there are emotional centers in the brain that activate. They're going to revert right back to the last stage of their emotional development.“

“Deescalation works because we start listening to emotions rather than words. It’s done in three steps: Ignore the words, read the emotions, reflect back the emotions with a simple statement.”

“What I teach is to address the emotions before you address the words. Deescalate before you problem solve.”

“We yell at each other and argue and fight because we're not being heard. So yelling is simply an indication of not being heard. And all you have to do is listen to the emotions and the yelling stops. Because now people feel heard, they feel validated.“

“The time that you invest in building your skills and becoming an effective leader is far more valuable than increasing your technical proficiency.”

Connect with Doug

Website: http://dougnoll.co/leadthepeople

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougnoll/

What is Lead the People?

Lead The People is your guide to unlocking your true potential as an authentic leader. Hosted by Dr. Matt Poepsel—The Godfather of Talent Optimization—this podcast dives deep into the art and science of what it takes to lead at the next level. With insightful conversations and practical strategies, each episode equips executives, strategic HR pros, and aspiring leaders with the tools it takes to boost performance, inspire teams, and drive meaningful impact. Whether exploring the latest workplace trends or tackling real-world leadership challenges, Lead The People offers an enlightened approach to leadership. Embark on a rewarding journey to become the leader your people deserve—the leader you were meant to be.