Negotiate Anything
The Secret Strategy FBI Negotiators Use — And You Can Too (with Melissa Fortunato)
May 7, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Melissa Fortunato, a seasoned FBI agent with 23 years of experience, shares her insights from undercover work and crisis negotiations. She discusses how understanding psychology enhances communication in high-pressure situations. The importance of empathy and diverse negotiation strategies shines through as she recounts a tense standoff. Listeners learn that the power of listening and asking questions can foster connection, making it essential for successful negotiations at any level.
40:10
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Quick takeaways
- Melissa Fortunato emphasizes that establishing personal connections through empathy and active listening can lead to more effective negotiation outcomes.
- Diversity within negotiation teams enhances problem-solving abilities and decision-making, allowing for more productive discussions and innovative strategies.
Deep dives
Path to Becoming an FBI Agent
Melissa Fortunato shares her unconventional journey to becoming an FBI agent after starting her career as a counselor at a rape crisis center. Initially focused on pursuing psychology, opportunities arose that led her to explore law enforcement instead. Her psychology background proved invaluable in her investigations and negotiations, particularly when dealing with individuals in crisis. Fortunato highlights the importance of remaining open to new experiences, emphasizing the benefits of saying yes to opportunities that may arise unexpectedly.
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