NEGOTIATEx

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.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we are joined by Kimberly Mlinaz, a Juris Doctorate holder with a chemical engineering background who leads negotiation and dispute resolution at the Department of the Air Force. Kimberly discusses her shift from engineering to conflict management, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving in various fields. She emphasizes the role of effective conflict management in large organizations, noting that well-handled disagreements can drive innovation and adaptability. Exploring concepts like the "Ladder of Inference" and collaborative negotiation, Kimberly provides valuable insights on resolving disputes and boosting workplace productivity by understanding diverse perspectives and managing emotions.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, Bryan Price discusses the transition from academic to leadership development, critiquing current training for lacking hands-on experience and being limited to high performers. He advocates for “Green Platoon”-like, low-stakes training environments in corporations to build skills without the fear of failure. He emphasizes structured, measurable programs, like those at the Buccino Leadership Institute, and advocates for internal development over outsourcing. Bryan also extends these strategies to athletic training, emphasizing mental resilience for high-pressure situations and ongoing mental updates, akin to software upgrades, for personal and professional growth.