Intervention Method: Distract

The Distract method helps employees safely interrupt harmful behavior by shifting attention away from the situation. Distraction can be verbal—like changing the subject—or physical, such as creating a brief interruption. This microlesson teaches employees when and how to use distraction effectively, offering practical ways to defuse tension, protect others, and reduce the risk of escalation in the workplace.

Microlesson Description

This lesson reviews the upstander intervention technique, "Distract". The aim is to reduce the tension or danger in a situation by shifting the attention to something else.

Key Concepts

• Learn how to redirect attention and safely defuse inappropriate behavior in the moment
• Understand the two main types of distraction—physical and verbal—and when to use each
• Recognize the right time to shift focus and de-escalate a tense situation
• Discover how to follow up afterward using the Delay method to ensure continued support

This microlesson is part of Emtrain’s Intervention Methods microlesson series—five short, actionable lessons that teach employees how to recognize harm and respond constructively. These lessons are designed to make upstander intervention a workplace skill everyone can practice with confidence.

Each method provides a distinct approach for real-life application:

• Direct: Speak up respectfully to stop harm or start accountability conversations.
• Distract: Defuse tension and redirect attention to interrupt harm safely.
• Delegate: Enlist others—like managers or HR—to step in when direct action isn’t safe.
• Document: Record and report incidents accurately to support transparency and fairness.
• Delay: Offer empathy and follow-up support to colleagues who’ve been targeted.

Together, these microlessons help employees move from bystanders to upstanders—building a culture where everyone takes responsibility for respect, inclusion, and psychological safety.

Microlesson Features

• Employee sentiment pulsing questions that provide leaders with insights into their workforce's core cultural competencies
• Emtrain's Expert Answers tool, enabling employeees to submit anonymous questions about sensitive issues.

• Rich, contemporary video scences illustrating key concepts through realistic scenarios
• A data driven, skill-based approach to eLearning that establishes a shared language for employees.

Preview Microlesson