We are very pleased to be giving away three copies of Robert Lubbe’s book, ‘De-escalation’, to our GrownUps members.
All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!
About De-escalation
An essential guide for professionals, leaders and individuals to have confidence and control in identifying and managing conflict and aggression, written by a New Zealand expert with international experience.
In a world where tensions can escalate in an instant, mastering the art of de-escalation is not just a skill —it’s a necessity. De-escalation: Identifying and Managing Conflict and Aggression is an essential guide for professionals, leaders and individuals seeking to navigate potentially high-stakes interactions with confidence and control. In essence, it presents the science and strategy of conflict identification and resolution.
Drawing from psychology, neuroscience and real-world experience, this book unpacks the mechanics of human behaviour under stress, equipping readers with practical techniques to defuse aggression, enhance communication and foster safer environments. Whether you’re managing workplace disputes, handling crisis situations or improving personal relationships, De-escalation provides the strategies needed to turn potential conflicts into opportunities for resolution and understanding.
Packed with actionable insights, case studies and field-tested methodologies, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to stay composed under pressure and influence outcomes positively. If you’re ready to master the dynamics of confrontation and emerge as a skilled communicator and leader, this book is your ultimate guide.
Author Note
‘The idea for the book came about while I was delivering de-escalation training to frontline staff and answering questions on the topic. It dawned on me that there were so many aspects and angles to this topic which I would never be able to address in a one-and-a-half-hour training session. The more research I did to align my personal experiences and training with published literacy, the more the content grew.
Linking this to the increasing trend in violence and aggression incidents out there, I realised how important it was to provide clarity of understanding and also a practical, usable guide to those who may be exposed to these types of incidents, so I decided to do right by the topic in writing a full book.
Though applicable, the book is not meant only for professionals in high-risk environments. It aims to provide clear, easily understandable content in plain English that any person on the street can understand and implement. My background as a combat medic in the airborne forces and personal protection officer serves as the practical foundation of the book. More importantly, the concepts, explanations and management techniques are based on neuroscience and the psychology of human behaviour. It’s much easier to deal with our own behavioural instincts and the behaviour of others when we understand the origin of the behaviours along with the emotions and human biology that drive them. ‘
About the Author
Robert Lubbe has had a colourful life, with experiences rarely witnessed in a single lifetime. A decade in the armed forces laid down the leadership foundations and the valuable lesson of dealing with change as the only constant. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Parachute Brigade, developing strong leadership and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. His career also features significant international experience in high-risk operational settings around Africa and in the Middle East. As an Operational Risk Consultant and Trainer, Robert played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of personnel operating in dynamic and hazardous conditions. With public healthcare also part of his portfolio of work, Robert Lubbe has over 20 years of experience in a variety of industries as a seasoned health, safety and wellbeing professional.
When he is not consulting, training or managing workplace risks, he is a dedicated martial artist and instructor with a divisional World Champion title to his name.
Robert has written an exclusive article for GrownUps. Read it here
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Terms and conditions
- You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
- Competition closes on the 7th May 2025, winners will be notified via email by 8th May 2025.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
- Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
- GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
- By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
- One entry per household.
- Prize in non transferrable.
- You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
- You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.
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