Some unlock moments arrive quietly. Others come when life is in full conflict.

For executive coach and conflict mediator Adam Vane, clarity appeared only after he walked away from the family business and into years of intense Zen training. Alone on a mountaintop retreat, he realised a truth that changed everything: “Nobody’s going to help me figure this out… it’s just little me.”

That moment became the foundation for a career spent teaching leaders how to stay calm in chaos. In this episode, Adam offers a masterclass in de-escalation - how to hear the “charged words,” diffuse hostility and guide conversations from confrontation to breakthrough.

From UN crisis zones to high-stakes boardrooms, he shows that effective conflict resolution isn’t about power … it’s about presence, attention and the courage to truly listen.

The Unlock Moment is hosted by Dr Gary Crotaz, PhD — executive coach, speaker and award-winning author. Downloaded in over 120 countries. Sign up to The Unlock Moment newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/ywhdaazp Find out more at https://garycrotaz.com and https://theunlockmoment.com Also discover his other podcasts, The Box of Keys and Unlock Your Leadership. Follow, subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts — and connect with Dr Gary on LinkedIn for more leadership insights. Part of The Unlock Moment podcast family.