Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss explains to Shaan Puri why even purely self-interested business negotiators should prioritize trust over adversarial tactics.
“If you're the most mercenary person in the world, and the only thing you care about is making money, then that's the fastest, easiest way to make the money.”
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More from Chris Voss
Insight
Voss: Intentionally saying falsehoods elicits hidden information through irresistible correction
“The urge to correct is so irresistible that we actually use it as one of our negotiation skills. I'll say something wrong on purpose. Because you will not be able to resist the urge to correct me with the truth. And it's a great way for me to trigger getting h…”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 1:545 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Insight
Voss: Handing off to a new negotiator always signals a harder line
“No negotiation team, whether it's business or hostage, hands a negotiator off to another negotiator to be nicer.
Ever.
Business or hostage.
If there's a change in negotiation, negotiators on the other side, it is always to take a harder line.
Always.”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 15:495 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Insight
Chris Voss: Pre-planned 'must-haves' and 'giveaways' can be completely wrong
“Well, if they've got proprietary information that would change everything, then your must haves and your giveaways could be completely wrong.”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 23:155 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Insight
Voss: Driving for 'no' creates safety while seeking 'yes' creates friction
“Instead of, do you want to talk about what we're here for, which you're driving for yes, because that going for yes creates friction, but going for no creates protection and safety.”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 29:055 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Insight
Voss: Relying on leverage caps a negotiator at B-level performance
“I mean, you get yourself to B level negotiator there. You'll never get yourself to A plus on leverage. Cause leverage is the ability to inflict harm. And if you're making deals based on the ability to inflict harm, these are not, those don't go for stable long…”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 35:155 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
Insight
Chris Voss: The first negotiation is always establishing trust to uncover information
“And the other side will tell you if they could trust you not to hurt them with it. So your first negotiation is trust. Cause they got stuff. If they could tell you it would change everything.”
Chris VossSep 17, 2025▶ 22:355 Lessons in Business Negotiation from an FBI Hostage Negotiator
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