Praise for "Holding The Calm"

“Holding the Calm helps the reader understand the complex dynamic of intractable conflicts. Hesha’s extraordinary breadth of experience is shared in bite size truths that make practical application very easy. While the other books espouse different theories, Holding the Calm unpacks conflict and helps all of us, whether a mediator, negotiator, employer or even a parent—find practical and creative solutions to difficult situations. It is a must read and a book that you will want to refer to again and again.”

“Dealing with personal arguments, command disputes, business conflicts, or even hostage matters, all of which involve human beings, Holding the Calm is key to a successful outcome. This book is a must read if you want to truly understand and master the world of conflict management. Read it now!”

“At a time when the world is struggling with a global pandemic and conflict seems to be a national sport, Hesha Abrams’ Holding the Calm is like a gift from on high. The more we learn to resolve conflicts constructively, the better off all of us will be. Drawing on the negotiating skills she learned as a nationally acclaimed mediator, Hesha has written a guide that offers simple-to-understand tools and techniques anyone can use to resolve disagreements before they become full-scale wars.”

"Holding the Calm is such a powerful and important concept and tool that everyone should learn and practice, especially in today's environment. Mental health issues have been on the rise in schools. This is a very much needed skill for students to better navigate their lives and should be in every curriculum."

“Hesha is one of the rare people on the planet who was put here with a mission: to use her compassion, intellect, creativity and talent to help people in conflict find peace. Her work as a mediator and peacemaker has been inspiring to other mediators and her skill set is beautifully displayed in this very personal and very powerful new book. Hesha speaks from the heart, not just from her brilliant head. Read it and, more importantly, incorporate it into your practice. Her successes are legendary, and her passion is inspiring.”

“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.“

“Hesha generously shares the secrets of her extraordinary success as an all-star mediator in Holding the Calm. Her goal is to help us all resolve disputes by understanding how to recognize the human traits in all people that lead to disputes of every kind. Hesha’s gift is the ability to discern the motivation of those who are enmeshed in the cycle of anger, fear, pride, the urge to control, and the tarpit of negative human emotion…and how to lead everyone to defuse those triggers with calm and true empathy. She is truly one-of-a-kind who not only does, but also teaches.”

“I already knew firsthand that Hesha delivers as a world-class mediator. I didn’t know whether she was any good at teaching. She’s apparently great at that too. This book is filled with wisdom and offers tools that I wish every mediator had. It also provides important insights to litigators, who are in a constant negotiation during the life of their cases, not just when mediating.”

“In this book, Hesha extracts from her wealth of mediation experiences key lessons and skills for mediators, mediation advocates, and negotiators. The book delivers that information in a self-help, easy to digest style that captures the reader’s attention and invites thoughtful consideration without getting bogged down in lots of verbiage.”

“All the antidotes, historical notations, and personal stories kept me engaged from beginning to end. I DID feel like we were sitting across from each other chatting away. I was recently thinking about the post office with all the chaos currently surrounding them, and it reminded me about the past shootings and how we haven't had any. Thank you for explaining why!”

“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.”

“I’ve attended a training where you presented, and I could hear you while reading. The book contains so much wisdom, advice, and encouragement that it is worth reading again, and again, and again. It’s needed and important! The book is light (a good thing) and intelligent. Thanks for sharing at so many different levels.”