All Things Negotiation

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

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.

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

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

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.

In this episode, Stan speaks with Mark Gainey, a highly successful tech entrepreneur who has built two prominent companies, Kana Software and Strava. Mark shares his journey from learning the art of persuasion and negotiating in the business world to managing a global fitness app with over 125 million users. We dive deep into the pivotal moments of his career, including his early experiences at TA Associates, his enduring partnership with co-founder Michael Horvath, and the critical decisions that shaped Strava's success. Gain insights into effective communication, raising venture capital, handling board conflicts, and internationally expanding a business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, Mark's experiences and lessons are invaluable.0:00 - Mastering the Art of Persuasion0:25 - Introducing Mark Gainey: Tech Entrepreneur1:19 - Early Career and Lessons Learned1:51 - The Power of Cold Calling4:21 - Meeting Co-Founder Michael Horvath7:33 - Founding Kanna Software9:35 - The Importance of Formal Agreements12:14 - Pivoting to Success17:00 - Starting Strava: A New Venture18:50 - Building a Trusted Consumer Brand20:30 - Strava's Unique Customer Stories22:10 - Effective Communication with Co-Founders26:16 - Raising Capital for Strava28:46 - Navigating the Negotiation Process29:43 - The Importance of Choosing the Right Partners30:43 - Series B Funding and Unique Challenges32:52 - Aligning Interests with Investors37:28 - Board Conflicts and Leadership Changes40:54 - Strava's Financial Turnaround and Paywall Strategy52:31 - International Expansion and Cultural Nuances56:33 - Book Recommendations 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. #Negotiation #markgainey #winning

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stan Christensen interviews Sam Yagan, a serial entrepreneur known for co-founding SparkNotes and OKCupid. The discussion explores the ubiquitous nature of negotiation in entrepreneurship, covering topics such as raising capital, managing co-founder relationships, negotiating acquisitions, dealing with unexpected legal challenges, and strategic decision-making within large organizations. Yagan shares personal stories and lessons learned from his journey, including a high-stakes negotiation during SparkNotes, the complex dynamics in running Match.com, and the significant decisions around the development of Tinder. Key insights include the importance of having credible alternatives, aligning interests with investors, and understanding both short-term and long-term implications of business strategies.0:00 - Introduction to Negotiation in Everyday Life0:27 - Meet Sam Yagen: Entrepreneurial Journey1:16 - Early Days and Co-Founder Negotiations2:37 - The SparkNotes Firing Incident3:30 - Lessons from Legal Missteps6:18 - E Donkey: Navigating Legal Ambiguities9:24 - Facing the Music Industry Giants11:13 - Testifying Before Congress14:17 - The Birth of iTunes and Industry Transformation16:58 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs20:11 - Fundraising for OKCupid24:41 - Aligning Interests with Investors30:58 - Evaluating Character in Tough Situations31:25 - Navigating M&A: Lessons from OkCupid's Sale33:29 - The Art of Negotiation: Securing the Best Deal43:12 - Transitioning from Startup to Corporate Leadership44:00 - Internal Negotiations and Leadership Challenges46:37 - Strategic Decisions: Mobile Apps and Market Leadership50:41 - Tinder's Impact and Overcoming Resistance54:36 - Rapid Fire Questions 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. #Negotiation #Samyagan #entrepreneurship

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, host Stan Christensen interviews Steven A. Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations specializing in Middle Eastern and African Studies. They discuss the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the roles of extremists on both sides in undermining peace efforts and covering the history that has led to this current moment. The conversation covers the influence of third parties like China and Russia in the Middle East, American influence on Israeli policies, and the potential consequences of Israel's actions post-October 7th. The discussion also touches on broader U.S. foreign policy issues, the rise of Iranian influence through Hezbollah, and the challenges of maintaining American strategic interests amidst internal political divisions.Check out Steven's Book: The End of Ambition00:00 - Introduction: Extremists and Moderates00:35 - Guest Introduction: Stephen Cook02:02 - Historical Context: US-Israel Relations04:24 - The Oslo Accords and Their Aftermath06:39 - The Second Intifada and Its Consequences09:16 - Current State of Israeli-Palestinian Relations16:22 - US Influence and Policy Challenges28:48 - Iran and Hezbollah: Regional Dynamics31:57 - US Foreign Policy: Continuity and Change36:35 - Conclusion: The Future of US Involvement in the Middle East

Molly Graham, a seasoned Silicon Valley professional from Google and Facebook, shares her unique journey through tech. She discusses the subtle yet crucial gender dynamics in negotiation, highlighting common hesitations women face. Explore her insights on the fierce internal competition during the Silicon Valley 'Cold War,' and how effective negotiation strategies were key to navigating this environment. Molly also reflects on her transition to Quip, detailing the complexities involved in its acquisition by Salesforce, and the importance of building lasting relationships in tech.

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, host Stan Christensen interviews Peter Metcalf, co-founder and former CEO of Black Diamond Equipment. They discuss Peter's journey from a young climber and boy scout to becoming a successful entrepreneur. The conversation delves into his experience working with Yvonne Chouinard at Patagonia, and the founding of Black Diamond. Peter shares valuable lessons on teamwork, trust, and the importance of having a clear vision in both climbing and negotiation. The conversation also examines the importance of relationships built through climbing, navigating financial challenges, the significance of company culture, and the idea that every crisis presents an opportunity. 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. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (02:08) Peter's Early Influences and Climbing Beginnings (04:12) Negotiation in Climbing: The Yosemite Experience (08:55) Remembering John Long (10:16) Transitioning to Patagonia: Lessons from Yvonne Chouinard (17:36) Negotiations the Founding of Black Diamond (22:18) Building a Team and Vision (25:39) Negotiation Lessons from Climbing (32:39) Building Relationships Through Climbing (34:21) Relocating Black Diamond to Salt Lake City (38:59) Negotiating Financial Challenges (51:16) Crisis as Opportunity: The Black Diamond Journey (52:40) Cultivating a Positive Company Culture (57:10) Negotiating Black Diamond’s Expansion to Europe and Scarpa #Negotiation #PeterMetcalf #blackdiamond #patagaonia #YvonChouinard #climbing #yosemite #scarpa #Stan Christensen