Negotiate Anything

The Secret Strategy FBI Negotiators Use — And You Can Too (with Melissa Fortunato)

7 snips
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.
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ANECDOTE

Undercover Wedding Build Rapport

  • Melissa Fortunato and another FBI agent posed as a married couple to gain trust in an undercover case lasting over a year.
  • They held a fake wedding and events to bring targets together and gather intelligence effectively.
INSIGHT

Diversity Enhances Negotiation

  • Diversity in negotiation teams brings varied approaches and uncovers different information.
  • Different genders and backgrounds enable unique ways to build trust and gather intelligence.
ANECDOTE

Soft Voice Diffuses Standoff

  • Melissa negotiated a 15-hour standoff, breaking silence by switching to a softer female voice.
  • The change led to the suspect revealing a reason for not surrendering, easing resolution.
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