What I wish I knew my first year

What I Wish I Knew My First Year: The Power of De-Escalation

When I look back on my first year in corrections, one thing stands out: I wish we’d spent more time learning how to de-escalate. Not just the theory—but the real, gritty, situational practice.

Why De-Escalation Matters More Than You Think

• It’s not weakness, it’s tactical wisdom.
• Every moment we avoid escalation is a moment we protect ourselves, our peers, and the people in our care.
• It’s the difference between surviving the shift and building a sustainable career.

What I Wish I’d Been Taught

• The Book That Changed My Approach: Influence by Robert Cialdini
• Early on, I thought dealing with anger meant matching intensity or holding the line. What I didn’t realize was how much psychology plays into every interaction. Reading Influence gave me tools I didn’t know I needed:
• Recognizing manipulation tactics—like reciprocity, scarcity, and authority—before they escalate.
• Understanding emotional triggers—and how to defuse them without losing control.
• Responding to upset individuals with calm, strategic empathy instead of reactive force.
• It taught me that influence isn’t about control—it’s about awareness. And that awareness has helped me stay grounded, protect my team, and build trust even in tense moments.

Practical Training We Needed

• Back-to-back drills: Practicing verbal de-escalation while a partner monitors physical cues.
• Scenario-based walk-throughs: Realistic role-play with feedback—not just classroom theory.
• Peer-led debriefs: Learning from actual incidents, not just policy.

Recommended Reading:
One of the most influential books on persuasion is Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini.
You can grab your copy here: Buy on Amazon.

Tap into your collective wisdom and share what you think would have been the most impactful thing you should have been told from day one. Share one lesson, on mistake or one piece of information that you wish you had been told, drop it in a comment for others.