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Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jeremy Pollack, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeremy Pollack is a conflict resolution keynote speaker who helps audiences understand the psychology behind conflict and develop practical skills for navigating it. He founded Pollack Peacebuilding Systems, served as a research fellow at Stanford University, and has published peer-reviewed research on conflict and cooperation.
Conflict is a natural part of working with other people. Even strong teams experience disagreements, and when stress is high, priorities compete, or organizations go through change, those disagreements can quickly escalate. Dr. Pollack’s keynotes help audiences understand the needs, interests, and emotions driving conflict so they can recognize what’s happening and respond more constructively when tensions arise.
Event planners, HR leaders, and conference organizers book Dr. Pollack for conferences, leadership retreats, and company-wide events. Each keynote is tailored to your event’s goals and can be paired with hands-on workshops led by our Peacebuilders.
We support organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Dr. Pollack has delivered keynote speeches and presentations to organizations around the world, spanning more than 50 industries.
Why Have a Keynote on Conflict Resolution?
Conflict is something every organization deals with, whether it’s a disagreement between colleagues, tension between managers and employees, or the challenges that come with organizational change. How people respond to those situations can either strengthen working relationships or make existing tensions worse.
A conflict resolution keynote gives your audience an opportunity to better understand why these situations happen and what they can do differently. By bringing together psychology, communication, and practical strategies for handling interpersonal conflict in the workplace, Dr. Pollack helps attendees recognize the patterns that lead to escalation and develop de-escalation skills they can use in everyday situations.
A keynote also gives everyone a shared language for talking about conflict. Drawing on research in conflict psychology and the transformative, interest-based approach at the heart of our work at PPS, Dr. Pollack helps audiences better understand what’s happening beneath the surface of a disagreement and how to respond more constructively.
For HR and L&D leaders, this can be the starting point for a broader conversation about workplace culture. The ideas introduced during the keynote can carry into team meetings, leadership development programs, and everyday conversations, helping organizations continue building these skills long after the event ends.
Meet Dr. Jeremy Pollack, Conflict Resolution Speaker
Why do people get into conflict, and what does it actually take to work through their differences? These are questions Dr. Jeremy Pollack has spent years exploring, both through academic research and his work helping organizations navigate workplace conflict.
As the founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems, he brings that experience to the stage, making complex ideas about conflict psychology accessible, relatable, and practical. Rather than simply explaining why conflict happens, he helps audiences recognize the patterns behind it and learn practical ways to handle difficult situations more effectively.
Dr. Pollack’s background includes:
- Research fellow at Stanford University, 2019–2021, with the Stanford Social Concepts Lab and the Stanford Center on International Conflict & Negotiation
- Research associate at the Center for Behavior, Evolution, and Culture at UCLA, 2011–2016
- Former Chair of the Workplace Peace Committee of APA Division 48 (Peace Psychology)
- Author of peer-reviewed publications on conflict psychology, intergroup conflict, and human cooperation
- Chairman of the Board of the Peaceful Leadership Institute
- Co-Founder of the Florida chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution
- Holder of the CODC™, CCTS-I™, CWMF™, and ICF ACC credentials
- Host of the Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack Show
Dr. Pollack is also the author of Wired for Peace: Using 7 Neuroscience-Based Principles to Resolve Conflicts, which explores how understanding the brain’s response to conflict can help people approach disagreements more constructively. You can read his full bio to learn more about his research and experience.
Keynote Speaking Topics
Every organization faces different challenges when it comes to conflict, which is why Dr. Pollack tailors his keynotes to the needs and goals of each audience. Drawing on PPS’s transformative, interest-based approach to conflict resolution, his presentations focus on four key areas.
Conflict Resolution Skills
Workplace conflicts are rarely just about the disagreement itself. Feelings of resentment, perceived unfairness, favoritism, or unmet needs can all contribute to tension, often without either person fully understanding what’s driving it. Learning to recognize these underlying issues is an important first step toward resolving conflict effectively.
Dr. Pollack helps audiences understand how their own reactions can make a difficult situation worse or create an opportunity to work through it. He emphasizes practical conflict management skills like active listening, asking the right questions, and communicating in ways that encourage understanding rather than defensiveness. Even something as simple as how we phrase a concern or respond to criticism can change the direction of a conversation.
His keynotes also explore constructive ways to work through disagreements, including when bringing in an outside mediator may help people move toward resolution.
De-Escalation & Communication Skills
When emotions run high, even a simple conversation can quickly turn into a much bigger conflict. Knowing how to respond in those moments isn’t always easy, especially when we’re feeling frustrated or defensive ourselves. De-escalation takes practice, but understanding what drives those reactions is an important place to start.
As a de-escalation keynote speaker, Dr. Pollack helps audiences recognize the communication patterns and emotional responses that can make tense situations worse. He explores how tone, body language, and empathy can help reduce tension and create opportunities for more open, honest conversations.
Dr. Pollack helps audiences better understand how to manage tense interactions and communicate more effectively, giving them a foundation they can continue building through practice and hands-on de-escalation training.
Navigating Conflict During Crisis and Change
Organizational change can create a lot of uncertainty, even when the changes themselves are necessary or positive. Restructuring, leadership transitions, and unexpected challenges can leave employees feeling anxious, frustrated, or unsure about what comes next. And when people are under that kind of stress, even strong working relationships can become strained.
As a crisis management speaker, Dr. Pollack focuses on the human side of organizational change and crisis. He helps audiences understand how stress and uncertainty affect the way people communicate, make decisions, and respond to one another.
He also explores practical ways leaders can acknowledge uncertainty, respond to strong emotions with empathy, and keep communication open during difficult transitions. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing how differently people experience change, listening to their concerns, and making sure employees feel heard, even when leaders don’t have all the answers.
For organizations looking for ongoing support through a transition, this topic pairs well with our Change Management Consulting services.
Leading Through Conflict
How a leader responds to conflict can influence whether a team works through a disagreement productively or allows it to grow into a bigger problem. Employees often look to their managers for guidance in these situations. But managers may be dealing with their own frustrations or competing priorities, making it difficult to know when to step in, what to say, or how to help people move forward.
Dr. Pollack helps leaders look beyond the immediate disagreement to understand the underlying interests and concerns driving it. He explores how to facilitate difficult conversations, manage their own emotional reactions, and respond in ways that build trust rather than increase tension.
From one-on-one conversations to team meetings, his keynotes offer practical approaches leaders can use to address disagreements early and keep communication open. For those who want more individualized support, PPS also offers Conflict Coaching.
Formats, Audiences, and Logistics
Every event is different, and Dr. Pollack’s keynotes can be adapted to fit your audience, format, and goals. Whether you’re planning a company-wide event, leadership retreat, or industry conference, we’ll work with you to determine the best approach.
Keynotes are available in five formats:
- On-site: Presented at your workplace or event venue.
- Live virtual: Delivered through Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Conference keynote: Designed for association meetings and industry events.
- Leadership retreat: Tailored to executive and management teams.
- Hybrid: Designed to engage both in-person and remote attendees.
For organizations looking to go beyond the keynote, presentations can also be paired with half-day or full-day workshops, typically for groups of 8 to 25 participants at a time. Multiple sessions or cohorts can be arranged to accommodate larger teams. While the keynote introduces key concepts to a larger audience, these smaller, interactive sessions give participants an opportunity to practice what they’ve learned with our Peacebuilders.
Dr. Pollack presents to employees, managers, supervisors, executives, HR professionals, and association audiences. Your PPS Program Director will tailor the examples and level of detail to your group’s roles, industry, and specific challenges.
How to Book Dr. Pollack as Your Keynote Speaker
Booking Dr. Pollack begins with a conversation about your event and what you’d like your audience to take away from it. From there, our team will help you determine the right approach and guide you through three simple steps.
Step 1: Schedule Your Free Consultation
Start with a free consultation with our team. We’ll discuss your event’s date, format, audience, and goals, along with any specific workplace challenges or conflict-related topics you’d like Dr. Pollack to address. This gives us a clearer picture of what you’re looking for so we can recommend a keynote that fits your audience and event goals.
Step 2: Review Your Customized Proposal
Your PPS Program Director will prepare a proposal tailored to your event, outlining the keynote’s focus, format, and pricing. If you’re interested in adding workshops or coaching, we’ll include those options as well. You’ll have an opportunity to review the details and request adjustments before moving forward.
Step 3: Finalize the Details
Once you’ve approved the proposal, our team will coordinate the next steps and work with you to finalize the details of your engagement. We’ll work closely with your event team to make sure the presentation reflects your goals and that the details are in place before the event.
Extend the Learning After Your Event
A keynote can introduce new ways of thinking about conflict, but putting those ideas into practice takes time. For organizations that want to build on what their teams have learned, PPS offers additional training and coaching opportunities that help participants develop and strengthen their skills.
These include:
- Conflict Management Training: Practical conflict resolution skills for teams and leaders.
- De-escalation Training Workshops: Hands-on practice for employees who regularly encounter tense situations.
- Communication Skills Training: Building stronger communication habits for everyday interactions and difficult conversations.
- Conflict Coaching: Individualized support for leaders and employees navigating workplace challenges.
- Conflict Management Certification: Self-paced online learning for continued professional development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conflict Resolution Keynote Speakers
A conflict resolution keynote speaker helps audiences understand why workplace conflicts happen, what causes them to escalate, and how to respond more constructively. Dr. Pollack’s presentations explore conflict psychology, de-escalation, communication skills, and navigating disagreements during organizational change or crisis. Each keynote is tailored to the audience’s needs and the goals of the event.
A strong conflict resolution keynote speaker should understand not only the psychology behind conflict but also how those dynamics play out in real workplaces. Dr. Pollack brings both academic expertise and hands-on experience as the founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems. He previously served as a research fellow at Stanford University (2019–2021) and a research associate at UCLA’s Center for Behavior, Evolution, and Culture. He has also published peer-reviewed research on conflict psychology, intergroup conflict, and human cooperation. This combination allows him to make complex psychological concepts accessible and relevant to the challenges organizations face every day.
To book Dr. Jeremy Pollack as your conflict resolution keynote speaker, start by scheduling a free consultation with PPS. We’ll discuss your event’s date, format, audience, and goals, along with any specific challenges you’d like the keynote to address. From there, your Program Director will prepare a customized proposal outlining the presentation and next steps. Once everything is approved, our team will coordinate the details with you.
The cost of booking Dr. Pollack for a conflict resolution keynote depends on several factors, including your event’s location, format, length, and whether you’d like to include additional workshops or coaching. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss your needs and put together a customized proposal with pricing, so you’ll know what to expect before making a commitment.
Yes. Dr. Pollack delivers conflict resolution keynotes in person, virtually through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and in hybrid formats that accommodate both on-site and remote attendees. Virtual and hybrid presentations can also be paired with interactive workshops for groups of 8 to 25 participants at a time. Multiple sessions or cohorts can be arranged for larger audiences, giving participants opportunities to practice the skills introduced during the keynote.
One of the most important steps in de-escalating conflict is learning to manage your own emotional reactions before responding to someone else’s. When we react out of frustration or defensiveness, we can unintentionally make an already tense situation worse. Dr. Pollack emphasizes the importance of recognizing those reactions, staying calm enough to listen, and trying to understand the emotions and underlying needs driving the disagreement. These skills can help prevent further escalation and create an opportunity for a more productive conversation.
Yes. Dr. Pollack speaks about managing conflict and communication during organizational crises and periods of change. His presentations explore how stress and uncertainty affect people’s reactions, working relationships, and ability to communicate effectively. He helps audiences understand how to navigate these challenges, particularly when emotions are running high and leaders don’t have all the answers. His focus is on the human side of organizational crises rather than emergency response or public relations crisis management.
A keynote introduces conflict resolution concepts and practical strategies to a larger audience, helping participants better understand why conflicts happen and how to approach them more constructively. Conflict resolution training takes that learning further through interactive exercises, realistic scenarios, and opportunities to practice new skills. PPS offers half-day and full-day workshops, typically for groups of 8 to 25 participants at a time, with multiple sessions or cohorts available to accommodate larger teams and organizations. Keynotes can also be paired with hands-on training to help employees put what they’ve learned into practice.
Book a Conflict Resolution Keynote Speaker for Your Next Event
A great keynote should do more than give people something to think about. It should leave them with ideas and practical strategies they can bring back to their everyday work.
Dr. Jeremy Pollack brings together research in conflict psychology and years of real-world experience to help audiences better understand why conflicts happen, recognize the patterns that make them worse, and develop more constructive ways to work through disagreements. His presentations are designed to make complex ideas accessible and relevant to the situations employees and leaders encounter every day.
Whether you’re planning a company-wide event, leadership retreat, or industry conference, we’ll work with you to create a keynote that speaks to your audience’s needs and the challenges they’re facing.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your event and how Dr. Pollack can help your audience better understand and navigate conflict.
