Podcast on Negotiation Remi Smolinski

Have you ever realized that at the core of Star Wars lies an eternal conflict? It's a clash as old as time itself: Jedi Knights pitted against Sith Lords, rebels challenging the might of the empire, and the eternal struggle between dark and light, good and evil. But beyond the mesmerizing visual spectacle, Star Wars serves as a mirror to our own existence, reflecting how we struggle with opposing interests, gravitating towards one side or the other, and wrestling with the consequences of our choices. From the sweeping battles of the Clone Wars to the struggles within characters' hearts, every aspect of Star Wars resonates with the tension of opposing forces. Whether it's the clash of lightsabers or the moral dilemmas faced by heroes and villains alike, conflict is the cornerstone upon which the vast and immersive universe of Star Wars is built.
... and what's better than a book on Star Wars and conflict resolution? Yes, you're right! A sequel of such book!
In "Star Wars and Conflict Resolution: My Negotiations Will Not Fail," beautifully orchestrated by Jennifer Reynolds and Noam Ebner, experts from various fields—law, management, psychology, mediation, negotiation, communication, political science, and human resources—share their insights on negotiation and conflict management. Using examples from the Star Wars saga, the book offers valuable lessons on negotiation and leadership. It proposes alternative approaches, suggesting how the Jedi could have preserved peace by mediating disputes rather than resorting to aggressive tactics, potentially averting the downfall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the Empire. By applying these insights to everyday interactions, the book empowers us to enhance their negotiation and conflict resolution skills, bridging the gap between the galaxy far, far away and our own.
We begin this episode by sharing our immediate associations evoked by Star Wars, reflecting on its iconic imagery and cultural impact. From there, our discussion naturally transitiones to the root causes of conflict in the galaxy. This leads us to analyze negotiation within the Star Wars universe, particularly prompted by the subtitle of the book, "My negotiation will not fail." We debate whether negotiation consistently fails within the franchise, despite characters' assertions to the contrary. Our conversation also touches upon the leadership styles of characters like Padmé Amidala and Palpatine, focusing on the lessons we can learn from them. We examine critically the failures of the Jedi Order in maintaining peace in the galaxy, questioning whether they were adequately trained to prevent conflict and resolve it peacefully. Moreover, we consider faction one might prefer to work for, weighing the merits and drawbacks of the Republic, Trade Federation, Empire, and Alliance. Our exploration extendes to negotiating like a Sith, analyzing their negotiation styles and the perceived power of the dark side. Finally, we reflect on the character of Luke Skywalker, questioning whether he is truly a hero or if we can learn more from his mistakes.
Tune in and may the Force be with you!

In this episode, we are privileged to be joined by negotiation expert Mike Inman. With a wealth of experience accumulated over more than a decade, Mike has trained the managers many of the world's leading Fortune 500 companies. His tenure as a negotiation trainer spans six continents, during which he has equipped over 7,000 B2B negotiators with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in competitive business environments. Mike's expertise extends is grounded in real-world practice, making him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their negotiation skills.
We discuss negotiation expertise, exploring what it truly means to be an experienced negotiator. Through reflective discussions and insightful anecdotes, we unravel the evolution of negotiation skills over a career trajectory.
Mike shares personal experiences, recounting pivotal moments where their negotiation abilities underwent transformative growth. From navigating early career challenges to leveraging accumulated expertise for strategic advantage, each anecdote offers valuable lessons in negotiation.
We explore the relationship between experience negotiation outcomes, probing the significance of practice, repetition, and experiential learning versus formal training. Our conversation also touches on the dynamics between negotiating with experienced versus inexperienced counterparts, uncovering common pitfalls and mitigation strategies.
Drawing from Mike's experience, we explore the impact of guidance on negotiation development. Additionally, we examine areas for continued growth and improvement, emphasizing the importance of remaining adaptable and open to new approaches.
At the end, we distill practical advice for individuals seeking to enhance their negotiation skills, providing actionable strategies to maximize learning opportunities and accelerate growth in this dynamic field.

Ransomware negotiations constitute the complex and often ethically challenging process of communication and compromise between targeted entities and cybercriminals seeking financial gain through extortion. In the aftermath of a ransomware attack, negotiators, typically representing the victimized organizations, engage in dialogue with hackers to navigate the terms of payment, decryption keys, and the potential release of sensitive information. This high-stakes exchange involves a delicate balance between securing the affected data and succumbing to the demands of malicious actors. Negotiators grapple with moral dilemmas, legal constraints, and the urgency to minimize business disruptions, making ransomware negotiations a complex and evolving aspect of the cybersecurity landscape.
In this episod of the Podcast on Negotiation, we speak with Pim Takkenberg, the General Manager of Northwave Investigations and his special guest Boris about ransomeware negotiations, We discuss the complexities of negotiating with cybercriminals, debunk common myths, and discuss the emotional challenges involved. Highlighting prevalent ransomware types and evolving attacker tactics, the guest recounts some of their cases and successful strategies. The conversation covers preventative advice, the evolving landscape of ransomware, the importance of law enforcement collaboration, and ethical considerations in ransom negotiations. With an eye on the future, they explore the impact of technology advancements and cryptocurrency on ransomware attacks, emphasizing the necessity of ongoing education and proactive cybersecurity measures to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable sectors.
Northwave Cyber Security is a leading firm specializing in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, providing expert services to safeguard organizations against evolving digital threats. With a strong focus on proactive defense strategies, Northwave offers a range of services encompassing threat intelligence, risk assessment, incident response, and vulnerability management. The company is renowned for its innovative approach, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and seasoned cybersecurity professionals to deliver tailored solutions that address the unique challenges faced by its clients. Northwave's commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats, coupled with its dedication to client collaboration, establishes it as a trusted partner in the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity, contributing significantly to the resilience of businesses against cyber threats.

Michael W Phillips is the founder and head of Phillips Consulting, a niche management consulting firm specializing in commercial negotiations for public and private sector companies. For almost 30 years he has led negotiations for organisations as diverse as the NHS, local councils and global manufacturing corporations. He's negotiated contracts for everything from nursing home placements to cinema screens, orthopaedic implants to sewage pumps, liquid helium to truck leases. With clients in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia, Michael has travelled the world for decades practicing and coaching the science of negotiation.
Are you interested in securing a higher salary but feel nervous and unsure about how to approach the conversation? You're not alone. Studies reveal that about a third of men and more than half of women find asking for a pay raise uncomfortable. This isn't a minor issue. Throughout your career, consistently accepting a salary below the market rate for your role can mean missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars or euro. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Michael's book: "The Naked Negotiator" offers an engaging and entertaining guide, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence needed. In the face of what may seem like an uneven playing field between experienced, knowledgeable managers and seemingly powerless employees, you no longer need to fear this challenging aspect of your career.
Join us in the latest episode of the Podcast on Negotiation, where we discuss the secrets of successful salary negotiations. Mike, a seasoned negotiation professional, shares invaluable insights and strategies to help you secure the salary you deserve. We discuss how to overcome the fear of asking for more and understand our fair market value. Mike shares his practical tips for a successful salary negotiation and real-life success stories.

Andreas Winheller is an experienced professional with a diverse academic background and extensive expertise in the fields of negotiation, mediation, and cognitive neuroscience.
In addition to his academic achievements, Andreas has successfully completed an Executive Scholarship Program for "Management and Leadership" at the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management. His commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident through his certifications, including being a licensed MBTI-MasterTrainer and MasterTrainer for the Team-Management-System (TMS), as well as a certified NLP-Trainer recognized by DVNLP and The Society of NLP. Furthermore, Andreas holds the title of Business Mediator (DGM) and is a negotiation instructor trained by The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School and Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Advanced Negotiation Master Class.
Currently, Andreas Winheller is actively engaged with major corporations, unions, political parties, and pressure groups, addressing issues related to negotiation, conflict management, and team dynamics. His specialization lies in designing, implementing, and facilitating negotiation performance development processes, contributing to the success of various organizations.
Adding to his impressive repertoire, Andreas is a published author, having written influential books on mediation, negotiation, and communication. Through his writings and practical contributions, Andreas continues to make significant contributions to the fields of negotiation, mediation, and effective communication.
This episode builds upon our discussion with Gary Noesner on the FBI negotiation methods in crisis negotiations and explores their applicability to business negotiations.

Gary Noesner looks back at a 30-year career in the FBI, serving as an investigator, instructor, and negotiator. His focus included investigating Middle East hijackings victimizing American citizens. Noesner spent 23 years as an FBI hostage negotiator, culminating in his role as the Chief of the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Unit. Throughout his tenure, he handled diverse crises, ranging from prison riots and militia standoffs to religious zealot sieges, terrorist embassy takeovers, airplane hijackings, and over 120 overseas kidnapping cases involving Americans.
Gary continues to consult independently and speaks at global law enforcement conferences and corporate events. His expertise has been featured in numerous television documentaries and major publications, and he authored the book "Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator," published by Penguin Random House in 2010. The book served as the basis for a six-part mini-series on Waco, airing on the Paramount Network on January 24, 2018.
During this episode, we discuss how to effectively influence our negotiation partners and get what we want even in the most difficult negotiations. Gary recalls the main challenges he faced in his career, highlighting the importance of effective negotiation in crisis situations. He shares insights from impactful negotiations, emphasizing that crisis negotiation methods, like the Behavioral Change Stairway Model (BCSM), have proven efficacy and are applicable also in other situations. We discuss BCSM, a method Gary developed during his active service at the FBI. We explore the learnability of active listening and the challenge of developing empathy and building rapport. We talk about the prerequisites for BCSM's effectiveness and its applicability to different personality types. We stress the general assumption that influencing behavior is easier if the other party likes us. At the end, Gary shares his advice for aspiring negotiators, emphasizing key skills and qualities. The interview concludes with a question about individuals who exemplify greatness in negotiation.