This interactive workshop will explore the impact of the powerful emotions of humiliation and shame on cross-cultural conflicts in organizational settings. Although little has been written about these forces in terms of issues specific to diversity, they have a clear and definite place in a sphere where group experiences with oppression, exclusion and negative stereotypes can have a profound impact on the thinking and behavior patterns of individuals who identify with those groups. This is an aspect of diversity that is often difficult to discuss because it may involve behavior that is not generally seen as being offensive or humiliating towards any specific group, and can generate emotions that may get in the way of the communication and understanding. This is a point where simple conflict, if not addressed properly, can quickly turn into something much worse. It is also a point where, with proper handling, major conflicts can be turned into significant learning experiences. The purpose of this workshop is to provide examples of how the dynamics of humiliation and shame can be activated in conflict situations involving diversity issues along with practical suggestions for recognizing and defusing these kinds of situations before they become unmanageable. Participants will be given an opportunity to share humiliation and shame dynamics from their own cultural experiences with others.