“If everyone were to know what Holding the Calm reveals, the world would be a considerably different place.  In crisp and accessible fashion, holding the Calm sheds light on how to overcome some of the most perplexing issues businesses and humans experience.  I laughed, nodded, and underlined text the whole way through.“

“I’ve read your book and understand now more than ever why you’re so good at what you do.  It needs to reach a wide audience.”

“This book absolutely rocks.  We have so many colleagues that pen books that are so densely filled with medical or legal terminology or shorthand that they are inaccessible gibberish to the average reader.  Then there are the volumes of mystical weirdness that encourage people to hug each other in a cosmic field filled with lavender and Skittles until their chakras fall out.  Your book is direct and practical.  Every reader will learn something new, or reimagine their current approach to conflict, regardless of their current skill level. Thank you for unleashing this knowledge into the universe!  I’m already waiting for the sequel!”

“Sometimes it seems like anger, conflict, and aggression define the human condition.  Hesha’s book provides the perfect antidote. A must read for anyone who navigates life’s difficult conversations – mediators, negotiators, salespeople, employees, employers, committee heads – the list is endless. You’re guaranteed to improve your responses and your results!”

“Transcending the courts, and offering huge value to business, Hesha smartly delivers wisdom and power gleaned from a lifetime in mediation. All organizations hold “guards to the gates of change” that may be detrimental to growth and value. Though difficult to identify, people, and the processes they control, often reveal themselves only when they “draw swords” to defend positions or status quo regardless of evidence or rational thought. Holding the Calm provides a playbook of techniques leaders can draw upon to help their “guards” capture new opportunities available to the business while preserving the valuable of the present.“

“As an intellectual property litigator for more than 30 years and manager of attorneys and clients for many of them, Hesha is correct that most conflict focused decision making typically comes from a place of fear. Once one understands that and the particular fears that are in play, you can use the tools outlined in this terrific book, provided in an easy to understand and relatable form, to move difficult people and problems to a successful conclusion. The insights provided in this book are important to understand for anyone dealing in conflict, not just mediators.”

“Hesha Abrams is a tour de force and so too is Holding the Calm. Drawn from 30+ years of high-stakes mediations, Hesha opens the door to exploring the human psyche. And that’s where the real magic is: understanding people, their motivations, their fears, their need for validation. All aimed at the noble calling of finding peace. Let’s hope for a sequel - this writer has more to offer.”

“Don't be fooled by this easy, fun read by a master mediator and deal maker. Beneath the surface lies pattern recognition and insight from decades in the trenches of strident conflict informed by recent advances in social and brain science. This brilliant book sits at the corner of theory and practice ready to improve your game on Monday.”

“Hesha pours her wisdom, intuition, and gravitas into this powerful book which pulls back the curtain to reveal some of her extraordinary secrets and skills.  Simply put, Hesha is the best mediator in the business. Hesha has polished her abilities to the point where they are truly out-of-this-world great. This real page-turner of a book is jam-packed full of her experiences and anecdotal stories and contains important information for any lawyer who wants to better serve their clients through meaningful negotiation advocacy.”