NEGOTIATEx

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we explore the extensive career and insights of Diana McLain Smith, who has championed systemic change across various domains for over 35 years. Starting from political activism, Diana transitioned into organizational learning under mentors like Chris Argyris, influencing her approach to managing conflict and fostering adaptive environments. Her discussion delves into the power of personal agency in effecting systemic change, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary societal challenges. Lastly, Diana emphasizes the need for individual and collective responsibility in addressing deep societal divides and building resilience amidst political and social turmoil.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we welcome Ovul Sezer, Assistant Professor at Cornell University, who blends her roles as a behavioral scientist and stand-up comedian to investigate "impression mismanagement." Ovul's academic path shifted from mathematics to behavioral science amid the 2008 financial crisis, deeply influenced by behavioral economics. She highlights the synergy between analyzing digital interactions and traditional social science, applying her mathematical skills to decipher large datasets from social platforms. Ovul's research focuses on common errors in impression management and explores how these vary across different cultural and demographic contexts, offering insights into optimizing social interactions.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we are joined by Caitlin Meredith, a mediator, trainer, and conflict coach. Caitlin shares insights from her diverse career, spanning work with Doctors Without Borders, the criminal justice system, and private mediation. She also discusses her "321 Approach" for navigating difficult conversations, emphasizing empathy, listening, and problem-solving. Additionally, Caitlin highlights the importance of curiosity and vulnerability in building trust and collaboration, while also addressing the challenges of overcoming the instinct to immediately solve problems. Her experiences offer valuable lessons on adapting communication strategies in both personal and professional environments.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we delve into the expansive career of Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Bryan Price. A West Point graduate and founder of Top Mental Game, LLC, Price’s career spans from piloting Apache helicopters to leading the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, where he also taught and published work on counterterrorism. He now leverages his military and academic expertise to enhance leadership across various sectors, emphasizing adaptability and effective communication. His insights address the complexities of transitioning from military to civilian roles, the power of storytelling in leadership, and the universal need for mental resilience across diverse leadership landscapes.

In this NEGOTIATEx episode, Nolan and Aram continue their discussion with Melissa Fortunato, a retired FBI special agent. Melissa emphasizes active listening in negotiation, highlighting Stephen Covey’s principle of seeking first to understand and humorously compares negotiations with her teenage daughters to those with the Taliban. She shares strategies for silent negotiations, like using intermediaries, and discusses effective questioning and self-reflection. Melissa also addresses adapting crisis negotiation skills to business consulting, the role of mindset and rapport in high-stakes negotiations, and balancing AI integration with human connection. The episode concludes by underscoring deep learning and consistent practice in mastering negotiation skills.