I was a Hostage Negotiator for about a decade. As a former Hostage Negotiator, I've found the need to use my skills within the workplace. This talk explores how the principles of high-stakes negotiation translates into everyday professional success.

I've refined a framework that demonstrates how active listening, strategic empathy, and controlled communication (skills essential when lives are at stake) can transform workplace dynamics, salary discussions, and even code reviews.

Attendees will learn practical techniques for navigating technical disagreements, advocating for resources, and building consensus around architectural decisions without creating adversarial relationships.

Whether you are a developer seeking to advance your career, a team lead managing competing priorities, or a technical manager building high-performing teams, this talk provides actionable strategies to achieve better outcomes through negotiation approaches that build rather than damage relationships.