
All Things Negotiation
Negotiation is the art of persuasion and influence. All of us do it every day, yet there aren’t obvious ways to learn to do it effectively. Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. On this podcast, he interviews the experts, people who have accumulated negotiation stories worth telling.
Listening to this podcast will give you an edge, and the confidence you need to be prepared for even the most challenging negotiations.
Latest episodes

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
Paul Salem: How Persistence Wins in Private Equity
Stan is joined by Paul Salem, a co-managing partner of one of the most successful private equity firms, Providence Equity. Paul shares his early struggles of job hunting on Wall Street, the persistence that landed him an initial gig at Prudential, and his fascinating career journey through various highs and lows. He details his work in private equity deals, the aggressive moves that paid off, and some that didn’t. Paul also talks about his impactful post-Providence career in nonprofits, including his role at the Woods Hole Institute. Learn about the critical negotiation skills that played pivotal roles throughout his career and get inspired by his relentless drive and optimism.Watch Paul's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_salem_luckHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #paulsalem #Stan Christensen

Feb 27, 2025 • 33min
Adam Segal: Cybersecurity and Global Diplomacy
In this episode, Stan is joined by Adam Segal, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss cybersecurity, cyber warfare, and US-China relations. They explore the complexities of negotiating over cyber activities, the fragmented state of the global internet, and the economic and strategic implications of cyberattacks. Adam also provides insights into the military comparison between the US and China, the potential for conflict over Taiwan, and the importance of ongoing diplomatic dialogue. Listen to delve into these pressing issues and understand the nuanced dynamics of international cybersecurity and military strategy.Read Adam's Report: https://www.cfr.org/task-force-report/confronting-reality-in-cyberspace00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview01:10 The Internet's Broken Promise02:58 Diplomacy in Cyberspace03:59 China's Cyber Exploits04:51 Understanding Cyber Attacks08:23 Negotiating Cyber Norms13:39 Defending Forward: U.S. Cyber Strategy18:17 China-U.S. Cyber Relations21:27 Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity26:02 Military Strength and Strategic Ambiguity32:51 Escalation and De-escalation Strategies34:38 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.

Feb 19, 2025 • 41min
Guy Kawasaki: Stories From a Silicon Valley Legend
In this podcast episode, Stan interviews Guy Kawasaki, the legendary marketer and chief evangelist at Canva. Kawasaki shares his valuable experiences from working with Steve Jobs at Apple, emphasizing lessons in trustworthiness, persuasion, and negotiation. Highlights include captivating stories from his early career at Apple and insights into negotiating with large and small developers, as well as reflections on the negotiation styles of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Guy also discusses the importance of listening, having a growth mindset, and resilience, while offering actionable tips on negotiation strategies. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in mastering the art of negotiation and persuasion.Check out Guy's Podcast here: https://guykawasaki.com/remarkable-people/00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Insights00:24 Guy Kawasaki's Early Career and Apple Days00:46 The Importance of Trust and Listening03:41 Lessons from the Jewelry Business06:09 Evangelism at Apple07:27 Steve Jobs' Unique Leadership Style11:43 Comparing Steve Jobs and Elon Musk13:24 Melanie Perkins and Canva's Success15:41 Challenges with Developer Relations at Apple19:19 Negotiation with Digital Research21:55 Valuable Lessons in Negotiation22:32 Evangelizing the Macintosh25:51 The Power of Listening in Negotiation28:22 Embracing a Growth Mindset30:19 The Importance of Grit and Resilience33:45 The Art of Saying Yes39:35 Building Trust and Persuasion41:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Feb 4, 2025 • 58min
Scott Brown: How to Negotiate With Your Kids
In this episode, Stan interviews Scott Brown, co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project, about the complex art of negotiating with children. The conversation delves into practical strategies for negotiating with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers to adult children. Scott shares personal anecdotes and professional insights, drawing from his extensive career in conflict resolution and parenting. Topics include managing your own emotions, setting clear rules, handling power struggles, sibling rivalry, and the evolving dynamics as children grow older. Whether you're a parent looking to improve your negotiating skills or just curious about the intersection of negotiation and parenting, this discussion offers valuable lessons and heartfelt advice.
Get Scott's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Negotiate-Kids-Even-Think-Shouldnt/dp/0670031828
00:00 Introduction to Negotiation with Scott Brown
00:21 Scott Brown's Career and Background
01:00 International Conflict Resolution Experiences
05:17 Negotiating with Children: An Overview
18:54 The Importance of Emotional Management in Parenting
23:36 Balancing Discipline and Punishment
29:04 Consistency in Parenting Rules
30:25 The Power of Apologizing
31:01 Effective Listening Strategies
32:55 Warm and Expressive Parenting
36:21 Changing Gender Roles in Parenting
38:41 Negotiating with Teenagers
40:19 Managing Screen Time and Social Media
42:02 Transitioning to Adult Child Relationships
47:57 Handling Power Struggles with Young Kids
49:59 Dealing with Sibling Rivalry
54:48 Parenting as a Negotiation
55:55 The Importance of Parent-Child Relationships
#Negotiation #scottbrown #stanchristensen

Jan 21, 2025 • 50min
Tien Tzuo, CEO of Zuora: A Negotiation Journey From Tech Founder to Public Company CEO.
In this episode, Stan talks with Tien Tzuo, the CEO of Zuora, to discover the power of negotiations in both tech startups and public companies. Tien shares his journey from being an early employee at Salesforce to founding and growing Zuora into a public company. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including negotiating with employees, investors, and within organizational structures. Tien highlights the importance of understanding the other party's needs, internal team alignment, handling conflict, and maintaining a larger vision. He also discusses the transition from running a private company to a public one, and his current experience with Zuora. Tien's insights are invaluable for entrepreneurs, managers, and anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills. Tune in to learn about the nuances of negotiations and leadership from a seasoned Silicon Valley executive.
00:00 Introduction to Negotiation Types
00:27 Guest Introduction: Teen, CEO of Zuora
01:04 Early Career and Sales Experience
03:14 Lessons from Salesforce and Starting Zuora
05:51 Scaling a Company: From Startup to Public
11:03 Navigating Organizational Change
17:22 Conflict Resolution and Team Dynamics
22:21 Hiring, Firing, and Employee Negotiations
26:44 Transitioning to a Public Company
27:07 Understanding the Investor's Perspective
28:44 Simplifying the Message for Public Investors
29:56 Transitioning from Public to Private
31:19 Raising Capital: Stories and Strategies
37:21 The Importance of Internal Negotiations
48:15 Lessons from Personal Negotiations
49:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
Reed Galen: Lesson's From Trump's Election Win
In this episode Stan talks with political expert Reed Galen, who has held senior roles in notable Republican campaigns and is a co-founder of the Lincoln Project. Galen is also podcast host for The Home Front. We explore Trump’s unique approach to negotiation, the Democratic Party's challenges in reaching voters, and what both parties can learn from past campaigns. Reed shares his analysis of Trump’s recent victory over Kamala Harris, the importance of proactive messaging, and how Democrats can better align with cultural values. This episode offers a comprehensive understanding of political strategy, negotiation, and the current state of American politics.
Check out Reed's Podcast here: https://apple.co/4jgBTKq
Check out Ree'ds Substack Here: https://bit.ly/4gIPgBp
00:00 Trump's Early Realizations and Motivations
00:31 Introducing Reed Galen: Political Expert
01:23 Analyzing the 2024 Election: Trump vs. Harris
03:38 The Republican Communication Strategy
06:30 Democratic Party's Cultural Disconnect
09:36 Internal Democratic Politics and Candidate Selection
29:39 Trump's Dominance and Negotiation Style
33:51 Reflecting on Washington DC and Political Dynamics
34:49 The Republican Senate's Stance on Trump
36:16 Trump's Authoritarian Tactics and Internal Conflicts
38:01 Democratic Strategies and Challenges
40:21 The Need for Democratic Leadership and Proactive Messaging
45:24 Economic and Cultural Impacts of Trump's Policies
49:32 Bridging the Political Divide and Community Engagement
53:54 The Role of Social Media in Political Discourse
58:08 Conclusion and Future Directions
Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
#Negotiation #ReedGalen #StanChristensen

Dec 17, 2024 • 36min
Michael Stoppelman: Managing at a Hyper-Growth Startup
Michael Stoppelman, who transitioned from Google to Yelp and now invests as an angel, shares his journey of scaling Yelp's engineering team. He dives into the nuances of negotiation in hiring and team management, highlighting the balance between autonomy and direction in fast-growing companies. Stoppelman offers tips for effective entrepreneurial pitches and innovative talent acquisition in tech. His experiences reveal how to foster collaboration and handle conflicts, making for engaging insights for entrepreneurs and engineers alike.

Dec 10, 2024 • 53min
Andrea Kendall-Taylor: How Putin Has Weaponized Risk
In this episode, we delve into Russia's strategies in weaponizing risk to negotiate with the West over Ukraine. Featuring Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Senior Fellow at the Center for New American Security and a former CIA intelligence officer, the discussion covers the historical context of Russia's aggressive tactics from post-Soviet Union conflicts to recent invasions. We analyze the West's responses, the current state of the Ukraine war, and strategies to bring Putin to the negotiation table. Additionally, we explore the concerning rise of authoritarianism globally and within the United States, highlighting parallels with democratic backsliding. Andrea's insights from her recent book, 'The Origins of Elected Strongmen,' sheds light on how these trends threaten global democracy. Tune in for an in-depth understanding of these complex geopolitical dynamics.
Check out Andrea's Book: https://amzn.to/3VB6EPR
00:00 Introduction
01:34 Historical Context: Post-Soviet Russia
05:08 Russia's Aggression: From Georgia to Crimea
10:48 The 2022 Invasion: Missteps and Responses
17:43 Global Implications: The Axis of Upheaval
27:18 Negotiation Strategies and Authoritarianism
37:28 Personalism in Politics: U.S. and Beyond
51:25 Conclusion: Reflections and Future Outlook

Dec 3, 2024 • 52min
Joseph Grenny: Best-Selling Author of "Crucial Conversations" on How to Have Crucial Negotiations
In this episode, we delve into the art of navigating difficult conversations with Joseph Grenny, author of 'Crucial Conversations,' which has sold over 5 million copies. Joseph shares his expertise on why tough conversations are essential, offering strategies on how to initiate, conduct, and measure the effectiveness of these dialogues. We explore the importance of being suspicious of our own narratives and the role of psychological safety in fostering open communication. Additionally, Joseph discusses his impactful nonprofit endeavors, including The Other Side Academy, which supports individuals with histories of crime and addiction. Learn how real-life applications of these principles are transforming lives and creating supportive communities.
Check out Crucial Conversations: https://bit.ly/3ZyiAEv
Check out Other Side Academy: https://bit.ly/3Vk0Lq0
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:36 The Importance of Crucial Conversations
01:22 Challenges in Communication
02:29 Learning to Speak Up
05:02 Influence of Social Context
08:44 Balancing Individual and Organizational Interests
11:51 The Power of Storytelling
15:23 Building Trust in Conversations
17:35 Navigating Difficult Conversations
21:49 Effective Negotiation Strategies
25:32 The Principle of Reciprocity
28:11 Starting Difficult Conversations
29:10 Truth and Love in Crucial Conversations
36:19 The Other Side Academy: Transforming Lives
42:51 Peer Accountability and Ethical Standards
49:59 The Other Side Village: A New Beginning
51:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
#Negotiation #josephgrenney #StanChristensen

12 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 40min
Curtis Feeny: A Master Networker on how to build meaningful connections.
Curtis Feeny, a master networker with experience at Harvard Business School and Voyager Capital, shares invaluable insights on building genuine connections. He emphasizes the impact of understanding formative experiences and the importance of remembering names. Curtis discusses the power of saying yes and being proactive in networking to create meaningful relationships. He highlights how community involvement can expand professional networks and advocates for empathy and preparation as key strategies in successful negotiations.