Pivotal Negotiations: From Academia to Diplomacy

This chapter recounts the speaker's journey from studying anthropology at Harvard to becoming involved in impactful peace negotiations. It explores innovative negotiation strategies, particularly the 'one-text process' used during the Camp David talks, highlighting the importance of understanding underlying interests. Through personal narratives and historical examples, the chapter emphasizes transformative approaches to conflict resolution, showcasing how empathy and collaboration can lead to enduring peace.

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William Ury, cofounder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, is one of the world’s best-known experts on negotiation. He is coauthor of Getting to Yes, the all-time best selling negotiation book in the world; the author of one of my favorite books on negotiation (Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations); and author of the new book: Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in an Age of Conflict.

Please enjoy!

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

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Timestamps:

[00:00] Start

[06:53] Connecting with Roger Fisher.

[10:08] Devising Seminars.

[12:31] Negotiating the Camp David Accords.

[18:23] Writing the other side's victory speech.

[21:17] Writing Kim Jong-un's victory speech.

[26:20] Pondering possibilities in the modern Middle East.

[29:26] Lessons from iconic possibilist Nelson Mandela.

[32:17] Going to the balcony.

[36:11] Mitigating the risk of emotional spiraling with Hugo Chávez.

[40:50] The power of silence.