ABSTRACT
We agree. The best-planned educational experiences can be disrupted by participant behaviors that are unpredictable, distracting, argumentative, or even threatening. Take, for example, the following account from the third author: A diversity training workshop was held at a U.S. chemical company, and managers and leaders were strongly encouraged to attend. Topics included race, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. During the sexual orientation segment, while a consultant was debriefing the whole group, several participants surrounded a colleague sitting in the back row after he pulled out and opened a large folding knife and began vigorously tapping the blade on his thigh.
