Voss: Deceiving Hostage-Takers Ruptures Trust for Future Negotiators
Chris Voss · 5 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator · Sep 17, 2025 · at 11:46
Former FBI lead hostage negotiator Chris Voss explains why maintaining honesty and relationship integrity matters even during high-stakes hostage standoffs.
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“Hostage negotiators have repeat customers. So I might not see you again, but if I get you out alive, another negotiator is going to, which means if I lied to you, if I deceived you, if I didn't take the time to understand you, that's going to be your experience when you run across the next guy and things are probably going to go bad.”
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