The ONE THING You Need to Win Any Negotiation & Become A World-Class Communicator
In this episode of Legend Letters, host Howie Chan talks with Scott Walker, a veteran kidnap-for-ransom negotiator with over 300 cases under his belt. Scott has used decades of experience to develop a unique understanding of what makes people think, feel, and act—specifically in times of adversity, conflict, and uncertainty.
In this conversation, Scott shares insights from his career in high-stakes negotiations. They discuss how some negotiation skills translate to everyday scenarios like business negotiations and family interactions. Scott also recounts his personal journey from a police officer in Scotland Yard to a crisis management consultant, and how a tragic family event reshaped his life's purpose and meaning.
Episode Breakdown:
01:16 Meet Scott Walker: The Negotiation Expert
04:56 From Scotland Yard Detective to Renowned Negotiator
14:47 The First Step Towards a Decision That Will Change Your Life
18:48 The Biggest Lesson Scott Learned in His First Kidnapping Case
24:09 The #1 Skill of Successful Negotiations
31:08 The REAL Challenge of Kidnap-for-Ransom Negotiations
34:17 Embracing Conflict to Win Negotiations
35:56 Managing Emotional Triggers: Try THIS Next Time You Feel Riled Up
40:39 How This Personal Tragedy Changed Scott’s Perspective and Career Path
45:12 How Can We Have Better Conversations? And Why Does It Matter?
47:20 Finding Purpose and Excitement in a New Career Path
50:05 Business Negotiations: Scott’s Thoughts and Insights
1:02:19 Kidnap Negotiations That Went South
Resources Mentioned:
Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art.
From Our Guest:
Get the book, Order out of Chaos.
Sign up for Scott’s newsletter, Negotiations Essentials.
Legendary Quotes:
“Anyone and everyone can be taught how to negotiate and how to communicate more effectively. It's a teachable skill. But it's also a perishable skill.” – Scott Walker
“You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” – Howie Chan
“The golden rule of successful negotiation is: It's not about you.” – Scott Walker
It’s time to turn up the volume on life, make your mark, and live your legend. 🤘🏽
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