ABSTRACT
Managing conflict and creating the interactional foundations for resolution is key to successful crisis negotiations. In this chapter, we show how effective negotiations involve setting the conditions, or scaffolding, for the person in crisis to communicate their decision to come down. A critical resource for negotiators is understanding how to mobilize the person in crisis’ autonomy while promoting safe choices. We begin with a review of current training on relationship-building and problem-solving, which provide the foundation for moving towards a positive resolution. Then we show real case examples of what ‘coming down’ looks like in practice. A person in crisis does not agree to come down, they decide to come down. We demonstrate practical strategies negotiators use to scaffold such decisions: strategies which give the person in crisis the advantage of controlling when and how to move to safety.
