Get Curious, Not Furious: Reduce Frustration by Changing Your Perspective

Thursday, September 17, 10:15 AM, Room: Columbia 3

In our high-pressure work environments, it is easy to react to setbacks, difficult customers or problematic colleagues with immediate frustration. However, these "furious" reactions often cloud our judgment and stall productivity.

This session introduces a mindset shift from judgment to inquiry. By adopting a "curiosity first" approach, attendees will learn how to pause their emotional triggers, uncover the root causes of workplace friction, and transform potential conflicts into opportunities for innovation and stronger professional relationships.

Learning Objectives

• Identify personal emotional triggers that lead to frustration and recognize the physiological "warning signs" of a reactive state

• Apply curiosity to replace reactive assumptions in tense situations

• Demonstrate active listening and empathetic inquiry strategies to de-escalate conflict with colleagues and customers

• Create an actionable plan to refit negative workplace narratives into constructive, solution-oriented perspectives
  
  

Cindy Campbell (International Parking & Mobility Institute)

Cindy Campbell is the Senior Training and Development Specialist for the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI).

With over 40 years of professional experience in law enforcement, parking, and transportation services, she brings comprehensive industry knowledge and professional experience to the IPMI training and professional development program. Campbell is also a Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for IPMI.

Prior to joining the staff at IPMI, Campbell served as Associate Director for the University Police Department at California Polytechnic State University. She is now dedicated to providing staff training, motivation, and skill enhancement through IPMI’s onsite and online training programs.