The Interview Chris Voss Says Trump's Secret Weapon Is Empathy
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Aug 16, 2025 
Chris Voss, a world-renowned negotiator and former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator, shares his insights on the transformative power of empathy in negotiation. He discusses how tactical empathy can revolutionize personal and professional interactions. Voss also highlights the emotional dynamics of decision-making, particularly in immigration policy, and offers strategies for reframing negotiation as collaboration rather than conflict. His personal anecdotes provide a deeper understanding of resilience and the importance of open conversations.
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From Suicide Hotline To Hostage Negotiator
- Chris Voss volunteered on a suicide hotline to join the FBI negotiation team and discovered emotional intelligence there.
- That experience hooked him and led to a long hostage negotiation career.
Bank Robber Taught CEO Negotiation Lesson
- Voss described negotiating a 1993 Chase Manhattan bank robbery where the lead robber diminished his own authority to appear scared of his crew.
- Voss says that tactic mirrored how influential CEOs sometimes manipulate perception at the table.
Tactical Empathy Changes The Brain
- Tactical empathy is distinct from sympathy and works as a precursor to compassion by articulating emotions without agreeing.
- When people feel thoroughly understood, neurochemicals like oxytocin reduce adversarial resistance.
