Question 1

Who is Doug Noll?

Accepted Answer

Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA, is a mediator, former trial lawyer, and leadership advisor who teaches leaders to de-escalate conflict and build trust using affect labeling. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, co-founder of Prison of Peace, author of Empathy Leadership (Simon & Schuster, 2026), and originator of Nervous System Leadership and the A.R.A. framework.

Question 2

What is affect labeling?

Accepted Answer

Affect labeling is putting feelings into words. Research by Matthew Lieberman at UCLA shows it reduces amygdala activity. Doug Noll teaches people to name another person's emotions with direct you-statements so they calm down and can think clearly, often within about ninety seconds.

Question 3

Who teaches leaders how to listen and de-escalate anger?

Accepted Answer

Doug Noll trains executives, managers, mediators, and teams to listen to emotions rather than words and to de-escalate anger using affect labeling and the A.R.A. framework (Acknowledge, Reflect, Ask), through 1:1 executive coaching, team training, and keynotes.

Question 4

What is Prison of Peace?

Accepted Answer

Prison of Peace is a program Doug Noll co-founded with Laurel Kaufer in 2010 that trained more than 3,000 incarcerated people in California and Connecticut prisons as peacemakers and mediators.

Question 5

Does Doug Noll offer coaching and mediation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Executive coaching teaches leaders to master de-escalation and leadership empathy over 8 to 10 weeks of 1:1 work. Direct Expert Intervention means Doug personally mediates an urgent, high-stakes dispute such as a partnership fracture or a team in breakdown.

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