Workshops on aggression, drug abuse, dangerous behavior, suicide, mental illness, hostage negotiations, and stalking can be informative and useful. But they are rarely enjoyable. As troubling as these subjects may be, a deadly serious or gravely portentous workshop can actually add to a sense of stress – and even fear – among employees. On the other hand, some training is so clinical and dry that you feel the life sucked out of you as you sit in your chair.
Edgework training, however, takes a different approach. We have found that the best way to keep ourselves not only calm and strong, but also quite happy, is the ability to laugh at ourselves, our fears and the situations we finds himself in. We incorporate this humor to great effect in our training and workshops.
Participants find, sometimes to their surprise, that they are relaxed, even though they are focusing on such subjects as aggression, suicide or severe mental illness. We sometimes tell outrageous stories that illustrate a telling point, or recounts a salty portrayal of not only our own successes, but also our own mistakes. Laughter encourages a sense of confidence and strength, because you are learning in a state of relaxation. Consider learning a new sport – your coach will tell you over and over again to loosen up. Even in learning about the extremes of human behavior, the goal is the same: relax to stay aware and effective.
In no way is this sense of humor derisive or unkind – it is simply laughing in the middle of our sometimes ordinary and sometimes remarkable lives, lives that occasionally involve dealing with dangerous members of our society. We bring their own engaging talents, provide this unique learning experience to all Edgework clients.
Edgework directly contracts with agencies and businesses, customizing the training for an institution’s particular needs. Select one of the links below to read about a specific workshop. Also, go to our Customer List to view a list of institutions for which Edgework has presented various trainings and workshops. All inquiries regarding training for a specific agency or business can go though this site.