Chris Voss: Workplace Negotiation
Negotiation keynote speaker Chris Voss equips leaders with psychology-driven strategies that improve communication, strengthen influence, and deliver exceptional results in high-stakes business conversations.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Former FBI Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator with 24 years of field experience
- CEO and founder of The Black Swan Group
- Bestselling author of Never Split the Difference
- Highly sought-after speaker for Fortune 500 companies, universities, and global organizations
- Formats: Keynote speaker and negotiation strategist
- Audiences: Leaders, executives, sales teams, legal professionals, and organizations seeking advanced negotiation skills and improved communication strategies
- Outcomes:
- Practical, psychology-based negotiation techniques for achieving better outcomes under pressure.
- Tools to navigate conflict, build rapport, and uncover hidden opportunities in challenging conversations.
- Increased confidence communicating clearly and persuasively in high-stakes scenarios.
- Travels from: Washington, DC
- **Fee range: $35,001 - $50,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Never Split the Difference
After 24 years with the FBI, Chris Voss has assembled a toolbox of effective tactics for high-pressure negotiations. In his talk, Voss shares the specific things you can do to turn the tide of a negotiation in your favor—illustrating his points with both riveting, high-stakes stories of criminal negotiations and humorous, personal anecdotes from his trips to the mall alike.
From why you always want to get your counterpart to say your name to why “yes” is the last thing you want to hear, Voss explains how to move a conversation along, how to startle people in the right way, and how to uncover what someone’s real motivation is. By the end of this talk, you’ll understand why a notorious terrorist once told Voss, “I hope they’re paying you a lot.”
Tactical Empathy
Negotiation Secrets from an FBI Negotiator
Inspired by his Wall Street Journal bestselling book Never Split the Difference, FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss shares one of the most powerful tools for successful negotiation: tactical empathy. In this riveting program, he shares how empathizing with the ‘other side’ can lead to true collaboration and a win-win solution in business and in life.
Communication Skills & Strategies to Get What You Want
Former FBI lead hostage negotiator Chris Voss delivers high-powered communication skills and strategies in this motivational talk. A dynamic speaker, Voss debunks the myths of negotiation, sharing actionable takeaways and game-changing insights, inspiring audiences to approach negotiation conversations in an entirely new way and get more of what they want
Talent Short Bio
Chris Voss is a world-renowned negotiation expert, bestselling author, and former FBI Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator whose strategies have reshaped how organizations approach influence, communication, and conflict resolution. Over a distinguished 24-year FBI career, Chris mastered the art and science of negotiation under extraordinary pressure, leading high-stakes international cases that required precision, empathy, and psychological insight. These experiences formed the foundation of his globally recognized negotiation framework.
As the founder and CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd., Chris now helps executives, teams, and organizations apply these proven strategies to business negotiations, workplace conversations, and leadership communication. His bestselling book, Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, has become a modern classic and is used widely in universities, law programs, and corporate training initiatives.
Chris’s keynote presentations translate complex negotiation principles into practical, immediately usable tools for navigating difficult conversations, resolving conflict, and uncovering hidden opportunities.
Read Full Bio
Chris Voss, a celebrated keynote speaker, author, and former FBI Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator, brings a wealth of negotiation expertise and insights to audiences worldwide. Known for his powerful presentations on the science of influence and high-stakes negotiation, Chris has successfully transformed complex negotiation strategies into actionable, real-world tactics for leaders, executives, and teams.
With a dynamic background spanning law enforcement, corporate consulting, and academia, Chris Voss is an ideal choice for organizations seeking to enhance their negotiation capabilities, improve communication, and foster resilience under pressure.
Chris Voss stands out as one of the world’s leading experts in negotiation, drawing on decades of experience with the FBI and his deep academic background. As the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the FBI, he spent over 24 years mastering the art of negotiation in high-stakes, life-or-death scenarios. This unique expertise gave Chris unparalleled insights into human behavior, communication, and influence, shaping his acclaimed negotiation strategies.
Today, Chris applies these methods to the business world, guiding leaders to navigate difficult conversations and achieve exceptional outcomes. As the founder and CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd., Chris offers his specialized approach to clients globally, helping them strengthen their negotiation skills and uncover solutions in challenging scenarios. Through his bestselling book, Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, he has established a foundational guide for negotiators of all levels, empowering them with actionable tools to influence and lead with confidence.
His renowned training and speaking engagements have spanned leading global organizations and institutions, from Harvard Law School to Microsoft. Chris’s practical, psychology-driven insights into negotiation and persuasion make him a transformative speaker for events that seek to elevate their audience’s skill set and confidence in handling critical workplace negotiations.
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