How to diffuse a tense or unprofessional meeting in 5 easy steps: 1) Break the tension with politeness and a smile 2) BE UNFLAPPABLE. Look past the immediate emotion and just talk to the data as if nothing happened 3) Keep your tone even and your verbal cues positive 4) End professionally: “I hope this answers your questions, happy to chat more, etc.” 5) If you get interrupted, see steps 1-4 and repeat as often as necessary. If meeting/audience grows hostile, see below. If the behavior violates company policies or is really off the rails, the most senior person in the room should have the good sense and experience to end the meeting on the spot. Otherwise, put your best foot forward, show patience, maturity and diplomacy, and bring everyone back to agenda. And don’t provide feedback in the meeting. That comes later, and offline. Give the other person(s) the respect you didn’t receive. Because you’re doing that for yourself as much as you are for them. #leadership #dobetter #professionalism …see more