Podcast on Negotiation

Remi Smolinski

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BUSINESS
UPDATED MONTHLY

As a negotiation professor, I've spent my academic career trying to answer a question what it means to negotiate well and helping my students and executives achieve better negotiation results. In the Podcast on Negotiation, I invite negotiation scholars and professionals to discuss the most recent research findings, analyze ongoing negotiations, and review negotiation strategies and tactics that really work!

11/11/2025

On real estate negotiations with Robin Kencel

In this episode, we host Robin Kencel, a leading real estate broker in the U.S. Robin has been recognized on The Wall Street Journal's RealTrends rankings (including The Thousand/America’s Best lists), placing her team among the top performers nationally and in the top 1-1.5% across the U.S., with repeated state-level top-100 distinctions. Together with Robin, we unpack how real estate negotiations really work, who holds leverage at different stages and how to align agents, principals, lenders, and lawyers. We look at pricing and anchoring in volatile markets, from comps and cap rates to when ignoring the “asking” price is the smartest move. Robin shows how to use structure as a bargaining tool, from contingencies and seller financing to creative concessions that unlock value, and how disciplined diligence, zoning, environmental risk, tenant rolls, can legitimately reopen terms without undermining trust. We talk BATNAs that truly matter, time pressure, managing multiple offers ethically, and the fine line between tactics and relationships: reading signals, countering nibbling, and keeping counterparties on-side to reach closing. You’ll hear where residential and commercial playbooks overlap (and where they don’t), plus two vivid case stories, a bidding war flipped into collaboration, and a near-miss rescued by reframing interests. We wrap with practical takeaways you can use immediately: questions to ask before the first call, a concession matrix for inspection findings, and a closing checklist, lessons that apply well beyond property, from leases for founders to any negotiation requiring speed, diligence, and structured creativity. This episod is especially interesting to: buyers, sellers, founders negotiating leases, asset managers, and anyone who wants sharper due-diligence and deal-structuring skills.

51 min
10/03/2025

On SMART Negotiator(s) with Keld Jensen

In this episode, we sit down with Keld Jensen, a world-renowned negotiation expert, to discuss his groundbreaking new book Smart Negotiator. With decades of experience in teaching, researching, and advising negotiators across the globe, Keld brings a fresh perspective to a field that is often thought to be already saturated. So why Smart Negotiator now? Because the negotiation landscape is evolving rapidly, and today’s challenges from AI integration to shifting trust dynamics, demand new tools and mindsets. Together, we explore how the world of negotiation has changed in recent years and what new pressures negotiators must navigate. Keld introduces us to the concept of NegoEconomics, his framework for uncovering hidden value in deals, and explains why trust remains at the heart of every successful outcome. We dive into the fascinating interplay between human insight and artificial intelligence, including real-world examples where AI surfaced breakthroughs that human intuition alone might have missed. The conversation also covers practical guidance: how to measure and rebuild trust mid-deal, how to design contracts in the age of AI, and how to avoid the most common mistakes, even those made by seasoned professionals. Keld explains the mindset and signals needed to build a true SMARTnership, a collaborative paradigm that transcends zero-sum tactics, and offers tactics for uncovering the “hidden surplus” present in every negotiation. We also look at cutting-edge topics such as using AI for real-time negotiation feedback, countering authority bias when dealing with powerful counterparts, and the evolving role of contracts as tools for long-term alignment rather than just legal safeguards. Finally, Keld reflects on where the journey of Smart Negotiator might lead next and how the integration of AI will continue to reshape the way we negotiate in the years to come.

1h 2m
09/30/2025

On AI in peacebuilding with Shane Ray Martin

Shane Ray Martin is a venture capitalist at B Ventures Group, where his mission is to back founders whose solutions deliver both profit and peace. He’s also a negotiation advisor, author, and trusted voice at the intersection of technology and conflict resolution. In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the field of peacebuilding. We discuss how AI is being used in early warning systems that anticipate conflict, and how AI-mediated diplomacy is emerging as a tool in negotiations. We also unpack the deep ethical dilemmas that come with deploying AI into real conflict zones, where the stakes are high and mistakes can have life-or-death consequences. Shane walks us through his path into venture capital via B Ventures, a “peace VC” fund that supports tech founders who pursue both social impact and financial returns. He talks candidly about the hurdles these founders face when pitching peace-tech ideas to investors, who often prioritize clearer profit models. We also turn our attention to negotiation and mediation, and examine concrete ways AI can strengthen those practices. Shane offers practical advice for anyone interested in fusing technology, public policy, or peace work to achieve meaningful change. If you’re curious about where AI, diplomacy, and conflict resolution converge, this episode is made for you.

50 min
09/02/2025

On Mediation with Leonardo D'Urso

In this episode, we sit down with Leonardo D’Urso, one of Europe’s pioneers in mediation and conflict resolution and the CEO of ADR Center. We begin by exploring his personal journey, what first drew him into the field, and move on to the heart of his work: explaining what mediation really is, and who can (and cannot) become an effective mediator. Leonardo takes us inside his new book, SOLVE: Mastering Conflict Resolution with the SOLVE Mediation Matrix, and introduces listeners to a structured framework that guides parties from conflict to resolution. He explains the five stages of the SOLVE Matrix: Set the Stage, Open the Process, Listen & Understand, Validate Options, and Enable Resolution, and illustrates how these work in practice with examples from commercial, community, and even victim-offender mediations. We also discuss why the book goes beyond process steps to include targets, strategies, activities, keys, and skills, and what this level of detail contributes to real-world dispute resolution. Leonardo shares memorable mediation stories, insights into what people often misunderstand about mediation compared to litigation, and surprising lessons from applying the same approach across such diverse contexts. Looking ahead, Leonardo reflects on the future of mediation and its role in addressing today’s global conflicts. He also offers practical advice for listeners: how anyone, whether or not they’ve ever been in a mediation room, can start adopting a mediator’s mindset in everyday life. Finally, we ask him to capture the essence of his book, and to reflect on who he considers truly great in the world of negotiation and mediation.

1h 11m
08/20/2025

On lobbying with Michael Koplovsky

Lobbying is often portrayed as a mysterious arena where influence meets policy. But at its heart, lobbying is built on negotiation, balancing interests, crafting agreements, and building trust under pressure. In our next episode, we sit down with Michael Koplovsky, a multilingual EU lobbyist, former senior diplomat, and professor whose career spans five continents and some of the most complex political and crisis environments in the world. From forging civil-military cooperation in war zones to advancing public-private partnerships in Europe’s political institutions, Michael has seen lobbying and negotiation at their most intense. In this wide-ranging conversation, Michael takes us through his unique career journey, explaining how his path from diplomacy to academia and ultimately into lobbying unfolded and why negotiation has always been the common thread linking them together. He sheds light on what lobbyists really do beyond the usual stereotypes, and why their work is so often misunderstood. We explore the surprising similarities between lobbying and negotiation, as well as the subtle differences that shape how each plays out in practice. Michael shares vivid stories from the “war rooms” where advocacy campaigns are mapped out, and from the high-level tables where policy shifts are decided. He speaks candidly about both successes and failures in lobbying, highlighting the lessons negotiators can draw from each. We discuss the challenge of negotiating when multiple stakeholders with competing interests are at the table, and how to strike the right balance between quiet relationship-building behind the scenes and formal deal-making in the spotlight. The conversation also touches on the ethical responsibilities lobbyists carry when shaping policy outcomes, and how much of their work depends on integrity and trust. Michael reflects on how lobbying has changed in recent years, shaped by technology, social media, and even the rise of AI, and what this means for the future of influence and negotiation. Looking back across his career, he distills the single most important negotiation lesson he has learned and shares who comes to his mind when he thinks about true greatness in negotiation. With advanced degrees in National Security, Strategic Studies, and International Relations, and years of teaching negotiation, leadership, and communication, Michael bridges theory and practice like few others can. His vivid anecdotes from political capitals and crisis zones alike offer insights you won’t find in textbooks. Whether you are a negotiation professional, a student, or simply curious about how influence is really shaped in the political world, this episode pulls back the curtain on lobbying as negotiation in action.

58 min
08/07/2025

On AI in negotiation with Yadvinder Rana

AI is entering the negotiation room, not as a silent observer, but as a highly effective tool shaping how we prepare, communicate, and reach agreements. From guiding our preparation to AI-driven coaching, from real-time performance feedback to agent-based simulations, artificial intelligence is beginning to revolutionize the way we approach negotiations in business, diplomacy, and beyond. To explore this exciting frontier, I’m joined by Yadvinder S. Rana, a negotiation expert who bridges research, practice, and AI innovation. With a background in cross-cultural negotiations and B2B dealmaking, Yadvinder has spent his career investigating how professionals can consistently achieve optimal outcomes, even in environments marked by uncertainty, limited trust, or overwhelming complexity. His recent work explores how AI can support human negotiation, responsibly and effectively. His empirical research shows that AI-augmented support can lead to 48% better individual outcomes and up to 84% more joint value when both parties use structured AI tools. To put these findings into practice, he developed the ALIGN Framework, a methodology that provides 24/7 expert-quality negotiation assistance powered by AI, no steep learning curve required. Yadvinder works with procurement and sales leaders navigating complex B2B negotiations, helping them adopt AI tools that drive superior preparation and value creation. He also partners with consulting and training firms to integrate AI-enhanced negotiation into their services. In our conversation, we explore what AI can, and crucially, cannot do in the context of negotiation, examining both its practical capabilities and its current limitations. We discuss how AI is already being used in negotiation training and education, from intelligent simulations to personalized feedback systems. We also dive into the ethical and relational dilemmas that arise when AI tools are introduced into real-time negotiations, including questions of trust, transparency, and agency. A key part of our discussion focuses on whether machines can truly grasp complex human dynamics like power, trust, and cultural nuance. Finally, we reflect on how negotiation professionals can best prepare for an AI-augmented future and what skills will remain essential in an increasingly automated world.

1h 1m
07/02/2025

On negotiating with Aristotle with Rudolf Schüssler

Following our earlier episode on Immanuel Kant and the role of truth and lies in negotiation, we return to the world of philosophy, this time with a thinker who approached ethics from a different angle: Aristotle. What would Aristotle say if he were advising a modern-day negotiator? In this episode, we’re joined by Rudolf Schüssler, a distinguished philosophy professor from the University of Bayreuth, to explore how Aristotle’s timeless ideas can shed light on negotiation. Together, we discuss Aristotle’s concept of phronesis, or practical wisdom, and ask what it truly means to be a wise negotiator, not just someone who wins deals, but someone who understands what is good, fair, and sustainable in the long term. We also examine Aristotle’s famous triad of persuasion, ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic), and discuss how this rhetorical framework can help negotiators craft more compelling arguments, build trust, and communicate more effectively across differences. As we move into the ethical dimension, Rudolf reflects on whether Aristotle’s virtue ethics can be applied to modern negotiations. Is there space for integrity in a world often driven by power and outcomes? And what kind of character traits should a negotiator cultivate to not only be persuasive, but also remain principled and respected? Ultimately, we ask: What might an “Aristotelian negotiator” look like today? And how can Aristotle’s thinking help us become better not only at negotiation, but also through negotiation, as individuals and as members of a shared moral community? Whether you’re an academic, a business professional, a student of philosophy, or simply curious about how ancient wisdom meets modern strategy, this episode offers a rare and insightful conversation that bridges two worlds and may just change the way you approach your next negotiation.

54 min
06/19/2025

On trust in intercultural negotiation with Mariusz Sikorski

In this episode, we disucss one of the most essential and most elusive elements of successful negotiation: trust. What exactly is trust, and why does it matter so much at the negotiating table? Our guest, Mariusz Sikorski, who is a practitioner and researcher specializing in intercultural negotiation, walks us through the foundations of trust, unpacking its definition and exploring the many ways it influences negotiation outcomes, often before a single word is spoken. Our conversation is rooted in a comprehensive literature review on this topic: Sikorski, M. T. & Albrecht, A., (2025) “Trust in the Context of Intercultural Negotiations - A Systematic Review”, Negotiation and Conflict Management Research 18(1), 1-41. doi: https://doi.org/10.34891/a0mc-jx98 published at the Negotiation and Conflict Management Research journal (NCMR). We explore the process behind this selection and the patterns that emerged across decades of research. From there, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of trust-building in intercultural negotiations, where assumptions, values, and expectations often collide. Is it true that we naturally trust people who are more like us? And if so, what happens when the person sitting across from us has a completely different background, worldview, or communication style? We examine how cultural similarity and difference affect our ability to connect, and how negotiators can bridge that gap intentionally. Our guest shares strategies for building trust both with culturally similar and dissimilar counterparts, going beyond surface-level rapport to deeper forms of relational trust. A key theme in the episode is cultural adaptability: how negotiators can read the room, interpret cues, and flex their own behavior to create more trusting environments. We also uncover some of the surprising and even contradictory findings from the literature, instances where conventional wisdom about trust doesn't hold up, or where cultural context changes the rules entirely. Beyond theory, this episode is packed with practical advice for negotiators and companies operating across borders. Whether you're closing a deal, managing a partnership, or leading a multicultural team, the insights shared here will help you build trust more consciously and effectively. We also reflect on the gaps in the literature, what we still don’t know about trust in negotiation—and where future research could go next. Whether you're a seasoned dealmaker or just starting to negotiate across cultures, this episode offers a thoughtful, research-backed, and actionable perspective on one of negotiation’s most human dimensions.

59 min

As a negotiation professor, I've spent my academic career trying to answer a question what it means to negotiate well and helping my students and executives achieve better negotiation results. In the Podcast on Negotiation, I invite negotiation scholars and professionals to discuss the most recent research findings, analyze ongoing negotiations, and review negotiation strategies and tactics that really work!

Creator

Remi Smolinski
Years Active

2022 - 2025
Episodes

55
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Remi Smolinski 2025
Show Website

Podcast on Negotiation

Management

Management

Updated Semiweekly