As a training professional, being flexible and being prepared for just about anything happening (good or bad) is a MUST. I believe that you are a great trainer if you can segue into a topic – gracefully and without offending anyone as you do it – when the discussion ventures into sensitive topics or situations. There are some trainers who are afraid to go into discussions for fear that they will end up treading into sensitive topics or going-ons within the group that they are training. However, these things just happens sometimes and stumbling into them is not all uncommon. It is really up to the trainer to get it all under control. If he or she cannot do this then this spells trouble. In my years of experience, I have been in the same bind for a number of times but I did not let it go out of control and was able to sway the discussion to a more friendlier and safer discussion. How did I do it? For one, trainers need to remain calm themselves and not panic. Some trainers make the mistake of expressing either these two emotions: 1) fear; or 2) anger. Let us talk about fear. Some trainers immediately panic and worry and get scared once the discussion becomes heated. Where the trainees start using accusatory words and tones with each other. Once the trainer starts to panic – it will show on his or her expression and that is the telltale sign that he or she has lost control of the training. Now, let us talk about anger. Some trainers take on an arrogant approach to the situation. They assert themselves in the wrong kind of way showing their tempers brewing both in the words they use, their body language and their expressions. They want to control the situation but they are handling it the wrong way because if they resort to anger, this will leave a very bad impression with the trainees, who as we have established are already in a disposition that you do not want aggravate. Thus, they as trainees will lose interest in listening to whatever else you have to say after that. In training, once you get a discussion started, you as a training professional need to know the following: 1) Beforehand, you need to know that once this discussion starts, you know where it may lead to (put yourself in your trainees' shoes); 2) Knowing that you have an idea where it might lead to, make sure you know how far will you let it go on and when do you take control of it; 3) Acknowledge the discussion such as saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinions that is why we have discussions. Remember to not take sides, be neutral and maybe even point out something good and bad about both views and then leave them to ponder about it; 4) Segue-segues-segue on to the next topic on your training agenda. You could segue by saying you see that any discussion is a healthy discussion, however, we seem to be straying away from the subject at hand so we need to move on. Then proceed back to your training agenda; and 5) Be calm and remain calm as the discussion unfolds. Observe how it is enfolding and recognize when it has gone on long enough. Control the fire before it becomes a flame and people start to get burned. Calmness is the key in controlling dangerous waters you will encounter in your training discussions.