New Ways for Work® — Coaches Training
A structured workplace coaching certification in a method that helps employees and leaders build interpersonal skills, manage their own behavior, and resolve workplace conflict. Built for HR, EAP, executive coaches, and workplace restoration consultants — and for the high-conflict employees standard coaching can't reach.
Your instructor
Michael Lomax, JD
Mediator & Trainer
Upcoming live sessions
All dates U.S.-based · times in Pacific Time (PT)
- Open
October 6 & 8, 2026
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT · two live sessions
500,000+
professionals trained worldwide
Standard workplace coaching doesn't move high-conflict employees.
Most workplace coaching assumes the coachee can hear feedback, take ownership, and adjust behavior. High-conflict employees can't — or won't — meet you there. They blame, deflect, escalate, and split the workplace into allies and enemies, while standard coaching methods leave HR, EAP, and executive coaches feeling stuck. New Ways for Work is a structured coaching method built specifically for these cases: four simple skills that change behavior without triggering defensiveness, and a process that protects both the coach and the organization.
Outcomes you'll bring back from New Ways for Work® (Coaches).
- Apply the 4 Big Skills™ framework in workplace coaching engagements.
- Coach high-conflict employees without triggering defensiveness or escalation.
- Help employees take ownership of their behavior using non-shaming language.
- Use EAR Statements™ to calm reactive employees during coaching sessions.
- Apply BIFF Response® techniques to coach employees on their written workplace communication.
- Structure coaching engagements with predictable, defensible protocols.
- Support HR, EAP, and leadership decisions with documented coaching outcomes.
- Reduce your own stress as a coach by letting go of feeling responsible for the outcome.
Who New Ways for Work® (Coaches) is built for.
Workplace Coaches
Internal and external coaches working with employees on conflict, communication, and behavior.
HR Professionals
Employee relations and HR business partners coaching difficult employees through PIPs and behavior plans.
EAP Professionals
Employee Assistance Program counselors handling workplace conflict referrals.
Executive Coaches
Coaching leaders, managers, and executives on interpersonal patterns affecting their teams.
Sensitivity & Anger-Management Trainers
Practitioners adding HCI methodology to existing behavior-change practice.
Workplace Restoration Consultants
Conflict resolution consultants doing post-incident restoration and team repair.
How New Ways for Work® (Coaches) is delivered.
Complete the 4-hour on-demand course on your schedule, then join the 8-hour livestream with Bill Eddy and your cohort. Live sessions run twice per year on Zoom — interactive role-play, real workplace scenarios, and direct feedback.
- 4 hours on-demand course — Self-directed online lessons covering the foundational coaching method, completed before the live session.
- 8 hours live virtual training — Interactive Zoom training with Bill Eddy and your cohort, including role-play with workplace coaching scenarios.
- Provider Network membership — Recurring Q&A sessions with HCI trainers and other Network providers.
- HCI Provider List listing — Public listing as a New Ways for Work® coach.
- Certificate of Completion — 12 hours documented for submission to licensing boards where applicable.
- Email support included — Direct access to HCI for follow-up questions (1–2 business day response).
- Optional consultation group — Ongoing case consultation with peers and HCI faculty (additional cost).
Methods taught in New Ways for Work® (Coaches).
4 Big Skills™
The core framework you'll coach: Flexible Thinking, Managed Emotions, Moderate Behaviors, Checking Yourself.
EAR Statements™
Three-second verbal moves that calm a defensive employee — Empathy, Attention, Respect.
BIFF Response®
Workplace communication that doesn't escalate — Brief, Informative, Friendly, Firm.
CARS® Method
The four-part HCI framework: Connecting, Analyzing options, Responding to misinformation, Setting limits.
Michael Lomax, JD
Internationally recognized conflict resolution trainer, mediator, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping leaders, HR professionals, and union representatives navigate high-conflict behavior in complex workplace environments.
Michael is the co-author of Mediating High Conflict Disputes and has delivered hundreds of workshops across Canada, the U.S., and Australia. He has designed conflict management programs for government departments, defense organizations, and major unions, and coached leaders through high-stakes workplace conflicts at every level.
He practiced law for over 20 years and is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University Law Chambers, teaching graduate-level dispute resolution. He's a recipient of the Susanna Jani Award for Excellence in Mediation.
Program co-developed with Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. — co-founder of the High Conflict Institute.
New Ways for Work® (Coaches) — frequently asked questions.
Who is this course for?
What is the format?
When are the live sessions?
What is included?
Will I get continuing education credits?
Do you offer discounts?
Can you deliver this for our organization specifically?
Ready to enroll?
Enroll an individual seat now, or talk to us about a private cohort designed around your organization's actual cases.
Other programs you might consider
New Ways for Families® Decision Skills Training
Teach the 4 Big Skills™ to parents — improving communication and conflict resolution.
New Ways for Life™ Instructor Training
For anyone working with young people — bullying, conflict at home and school, stress reduction.
Managing HCPs at Work
Workplace conflict resolution training for HR, managers, and people leaders. 9 CE hours · accepted by many licensing boards. Reduce escalations and manage difficult employees.