Beyond Words

Resilience

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on December 3, 2023

Think of your life story being like a hammer: it can be used to build or destroy, and yet again, you are the one who gets to decide.

Resilience

In Awe of NASA: Leadership and Resilience Skills

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on June 12, 2023

Learn how a NASA leader promotes resilience and a positive culture both on Earth and in space.

Resilience

More Than Silver Linings: Resilience, Awe, and Perspective

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on November 21, 2022

Life's not all rainbows, butterflies, and unicorns. Practicing cognitive reappraisal is a realistic, easy, and healthy resilience practice.

Resilience

Your Daily Dose of Awe: Accessing Real Resilience

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on January 2, 2022

We can all use research-backed, practical tips to help out with stress and promote our overall resilience. Who would have guessed experiencing awe in everyday moments can help?

Resilience

Resilience Goes Hand-in-Hand With This

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on July 1, 2020

Real resilience means knowing the research and the practices, and then actually doing them. Discover how self-compassion builds resilience.

Sleep

Sleep: Practical Tips to Increase Resilience

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on April 6, 2020

Lack of sleep is not a badge of honor to wear. Sleep is something we all need and all deserve it. Learn some practical, science-backed tips to help you get a good night's tonight.

Gratitude

Resilience and the Practice of Gratitude

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on March 29, 2020

Expressing gratitude is a science-backed set of practices that can help you enhance your resilience, increase your inner strength, and improve your mental health.

Resilience

Real Resilience When We Need It Most

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

Given the stress and anxiety we are all facing with COVID-19, we can all use some extra tips on resiliency and increasing our mental health.

Suicide

Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on September 25, 2018

More law enforcement officers die by suicide than are killed in the line of duty. Together we can raise awareness of services available to the men and women in blue.

Empathy

Crisis Negotiator Skills: The Experts Weigh In

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on March 16, 2018

Next time you are involved in a personal or professional crisis, dispute, or conflict, equip yourself with the skills used by expert law-enforcement hostage negotiators.

Suicide

Crisis Hostage Negotiation and the Impact of "Control"

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on September 19, 2017

Find out how hostage negotiators help return a sense of control back to the person they are negotiating with so you can apply it to your work and personal life.

Stress

The Effective Crisis Negotiator: Prepare Like a Navy SEAL

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on March 19, 2017

Learn how crisis professionals handle stressful incidents and how it can help you handle your crises, disputes, and conflicts.

Empathy

The 5 Core Skills of Hostage Negotiators

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on October 5, 2015

Learn the five core skills taught to law enforcement hostage negotiators and apply them to your next crisis situation at work or home in order to get what you want.

Body Language

"Recipes" for Success from Negotiation Expert "Chefs"

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on April 24, 2014

We all negotiate on a daily basis in a variety of professional and social settings. Expert negotiators from around the world share their "recipes" including all the "secret ingredients" on how to be an effective negotiator.

Trust

Secret Skill of Crisis & Hostage Negotiators: Slow Down!

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on February 17, 2014

Find out how crisis and hostage negotiators slow things down to move situations towards a peaceful resolution and learn how to apply this to your life as most likely you are not a hostage negotiator!

Trust

Active Listening Techniques of Hostage & Crisis Negotiators

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on November 5, 2013

Active listening is not just a tool relied on by hostage and crisis negotiators. It can help you during your next negotiation, conflict, or dispute.

Career

Government Shutdown Negotiation Tip: Build A Golden Bridge

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on October 4, 2013

Building a golden bridge refers to making sure you have satisfied and overcome the the four common obstacles to an agreement: involving them (the person you are negotiating with) in devising a solution, meeting unmet interests, helping them save face and finally making the process as simple and easy as possible.

Body Language

Hostage & Crisis Negotiators: Nonverbal Communication Basics

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on August 13, 2013

You might not be a crisis/hostage negotiator but there is much that can be learned from them with the result making you a better communicator.

Body Language

Negotiation: Body Language, Baselines, and B.S.

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on January 22, 2013

Three aspects of nonverbal communication: body language, a person's baseline, and deception can give you an edge during your next negotiation with someone. This ranges from complex multi-million dollar talks to everyday negotiations and everything in between.

Body Language

The Science of Body Language & The Debates

Jeff Thompson Ph.D. on October 21, 2012

People are happy to share their thoughts on body language during the debates but how do you determine the difference between opinion and those backed up with research? Learn the research behind nonverbal communication and be able to make a more informed analysis during the next debate while you can also become a more effective communicator.