All Things Negotiation
A podcast about negotiation, persuasion, and influence—taught through real stories. Hosted by Stan Christensen, who has taught negotiation at Stanford University for over 20 years, this bi-weekly podcast features founders, executives, investors, and foreign policy experts sharing real-world negotiation experiences. Episodes explore how leaders negotiate with venture capitalists, employees, customers, boards, and governments—and what actually works when the stakes are high.
Episodes
How to Have Difficult Conversations with Sheila Heen
Stan interviews longtime friend and Harvard professor Sheila Heen about why difficult conversations derail and how to handle them more effectively.They discuss the “hero/villain/victim” stories people tell when frustrated, how smart people can listen poorly by focusing on what’s wrong, and why many conflicts are “switch-track” disagreements where each person thinks the conversation is about someth
Negotiating the New Cold War with China
China expert Rush Doshi explains how the US should negotiate and compete with China amid deep mutual distrust and differing views of intentions. Rush Doshi is regarded as one of the leading voices on US policy toward China, and he argues that China’s strategy shifts with its perception of American power—ebbing and flowing with the state of US policy decisions.Stan and Rush discuss his insight from
Sal Khan on AI, Education, and the Future of Work
Sal Khan reflects on growing Khan Academy from tutoring cousins in 2004 into a nonprofit serving nearly 200 million registered users across 50+ languages with 350 staff, driven by a mission of free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Sal shares how he negotiated with himself and his collaborators to keep Khan Academy a non-profit organization that's mission-driven. He dives into the m
Robert O'brien: An Insider's View on How Trump Actually Negotiates
Former Trump Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs and National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien discusses behind-the-scenes negotiation lessons from hostage cases and major foreign-policy deals. O’Brien describes his approach as implementing President Trump’s decisions, crediting that alignment for successes including the Abraham Accords. He gives a candid look at what operations inside the Trump a
Fareed Zakaria: Navigating a World of Rising Powers and Shifting Alliances
In this conversation with Fareed Zakaria, the discussion centers on negotiation as the core of foreign policy and the danger of confusing tactical success with strategic clarity. Zakaria weighs in on the U.S conflict in Iran and shares a dire warning about how it could affect U.S negotiations for years to come. Stan and Fareed discuss a wide range of bilateral relationships and the potential risk
Jenna Nicholas: Negotiating For Purpose And Profit
In this podcast episode, Stan welcomes investor and CEO Jenna Nicholas to discuss the growing inflection point where financial performance aligns with social and environmental impact. They explore Nicholas’s book, "The Enlightened Bottom Line: Exploring the Intersection of Spirituality, Business and Investing," including her motivation to interview investors and business leaders about tr
Jeremy Andrus: The Turnaround Entrepreneur behind Traeger Grills
In this revealing episode, Stan sits down with Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, to delve into his gripping experiences in entrepreneurship and business transformation. Jeremy shares the tumultuous journey of rethinking and reinventing Traeger Grills amidst economic upheavals, tariffs, and a toxic corporate culture. The conversation covers the critical importance of negotiation, managing compl
David Neeleman: The JetBlue founder who built five successful airlines
In this episode, Stan welcomes David Neeleman, a renowned figure in the airline industry, for an in-depth conversation on the intricacies of building successful airlines. David, who has founded five airlines including JetBlue and Breeze Airways, shares his insights on effective negotiation, leadership, and personal growth. The discussion covers his career journey, significant milestones, key strat
Chip Conley: The entrepreneur who reinvented three industries
In this episode, Stan talks with Chip Conley, an iconic entrepreneur and the founder of the Joie De Vivre hotel chain, a key player in Airbnb, and the creator of the Modern Elder Academy. They dive into the principles of karmic capitalism, lessons learned from building and scaling multiple successful businesses, and strategies for maintaining a good reputation. Chip shares his experiences at Airbn
David Rubenstein: Carlyle Co-Founder on Negotiation Lessons from Wall Street to Washington
In this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an
Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union
In this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa throu
Hannah Riley Bowles: Lessons on gender, power and negotiation
Join us in an insightful conversation with Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and an expert in negotiation. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of gender differences in negotiation, strategies for closing the gender pay gap, and the socio-economic and family dynamics influencing women's career advancement. Learn about the essential S.U.R.E framework for
Dave Ferguson: From Waymo to Nuro and the Future of Self-Driving Cars
Stan is joined by Dave Ferguson, Co-Founder and President of Nuro. In this episode, Dave discusses his transition from Waymo to Nuro, the pivotal shifts in their business model, and how they've managed to secure a monumental partnership with Uber and Lucid to create robo-taxis. Dave also opens up about the challenges faced during Nuro's evolution, from team restructuring to investor negoti
Sami Inkinen: The Triathlon Champion Who Built 2 Multi-Billion Dollar Companies
Join Stan as he dives deep into the remarkable entrepreneurial journey of Sami Inkinen in this episode of All Things Negotiation. A two-time successful entrepreneur, Inkinen co-founded Trulia, an online real estate marketplace, and Virta Health, a revolutionary company aimed at reversing type 2 diabetes. Throughout the conversation, Inkinen shares insights on grit, risk-taking, and authenticity in
Toyin Ajayi: Building a Multi-Billion Dollar Business That Delivers Healthcare Equity
In this episode, Stan interviews Dr. Toyin Ajayi, a physician, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Cityblock Health. They discuss the challenges of healthcare delivery for underserved populations, building trust, value-based care, entrepreneurship, and lessons in negotiation and persuasion.00:00 - Introduction: The Art of Selling as a CEO00:18 - Meet Dr. Toyin Ajayi & Cityblock Health00:37 - Toyin
Edward Alden: Trump’s Trade and Tariff Negotiations
In this episode, Stan hosts Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an expert on trade and trade policy. The discussion dives deep into President Trump's approach to tariffs and trade, examining the strategic rationale, economic impact, and international relations fallout.They discuss the historical context of the global trade order, the complexities of modern eco
Sarah Franklin: Leading in Tech as a Female CEO
In this episode, we are joined by Sarah Franklin, CEO of Lattice and former President and Chief Marketing Officer at Salesforce. Sarah shares her journey from 16 successful years at Salesforce to leading one of the top HR tech companies. Listen to her insights on building confidence, negotiating culture, and empowering employees. Sarah also discusses the role gender has played in her career, offer
Matt Abrahams: How to Think Faster, Talk Smarter
In this episode, we dive deep into the art of communication with Matt Abrahams, a Stanford GSB professor and author of 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter.' Matt discusses the importance of empathy in communication, how to be persuasive, effective listening, and dealing with anxiety. The conversation also explores practical frameworks for structured and spontaneous communication, pitching techniqu
Mike Cagney: Negotiation and the Blockchain
In this episode, we dive into an insightful conversation with Mike Cagney, an influential entrepreneur recognized for his pivotal role in the fintech space. Mike co-founded SoFi, one of the most successful financial startups of all time, and later established Figure Markets, emphasizing blockchain to innovate and disrupt traditional financial markets. We explore Mike's experiences with cryptoc
Don Faul: Platoon Leader → Silicon Valley Executive → CrossFit CEO
In this episode, Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit, shares his remarkable career journey, emphasizing the key lessons in leadership and negotiation he learned along the way. Starting his career as a Marine platoon commander, Don transitioned to Silicon Valley, working at Google, Facebook, and Pinterest during their early and hyper-growth phases before leading CrossFit. The discussion covers his leader
Chad Hutchinson: From NFL quarterback to buying sports teams
In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Chad Hutchinson, one of only seven individuals to have played in both the NFL and the MLB. Chad was both a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. But he didn't just hang up his boots and call it quits after his pro-sports career: he went back to the bottom of the finance world and worked his way to beco
Four-Star General Stanley McChrystal: What War Taught Me About Resolving Conflict
In this episode, we are honored to have a conversation with General Stanley McChrystal, a legendary military leader. We delve deep into his thoughts on the importance of negotiation in the military, his experiences leading JSOC operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the crucial role of character in leadership. General McChrystal shares valuable insights from his new book, 'On Character: Choic
Joel Clark: Turning Kodiak Cakes into a household name
Stan chats with Joel Clark, the CEO of Kodiak Cakes. Joel takes us through his 25-year journey building the original whole grain protein-packed pancake mix company. Joel shares insights on early misconceptions about negotiation, the importance of open and transparent discussions, and how he negotiated his way through relationships with suppliers, retailers, and family members. Learn about the humb
Keith Rabois: Negotiation Lessons From the Startup Trenches.
In this episode, Stan interviews Keith Rabois, an esteemed entrepreneur and venture capitalist known for his pivotal role in companies like PayPal, Square, and LinkedIn. Keith discusses the crucial role of persuasion in scaling a company, sharing stories from his early entrepreneurial days and providing valuable advice for startups on raising capital and negotiation. Keith delves into his philosop
Robert Cialdini: The godfather of influence tackles negotiation
Stan has an insightful discussion with Robert Cialdini, a renowned professor at Arizona State University and author of the best-selling book, 'Influence'. In this episode, we explore the principles of influence and how they can be applied in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to business negotiations. Robert Cialdini shares practical tips on building rapport, the power of
Sarah Robb O'Hagan: Stepping up and stepping out
In this episode, host Stan sits down with the dynamic Sarah Robb O'Hagan, former executive at Virgin Atlantic, Nike, Gatorade, and Equinox, and the author of 'Extreme You: Step Up, Stand Out, Kick Ass, Repeat.' They discuss the crucial role of building trust in negotiations, navigating complex turnarounds, and the importance of taking risks in one's career. Sarah shares insights fr
Tom Barton: Scaling, Strategy & Negotiation
Stan sits down with Tom Barton, a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience in technology infrastructure and software companies. In this episode, they delve into Tom's journey, discussing everything from raising capital to managing employees and negotiating high-stakes deals. Tom shares intriguing stories from his time at Planet Labs, a space company revolutionizing satellite imagery, and Ra
Shannon Rowbury: Gender & Negotiation with an Olympic medalist
In this episode, Olympic medalist and world record holder, Shannon Rowbury, shares her journey as a professional athlete, emphasizing gender dynamics in sports negotiation and her 20-year relationship with Nike. Shannon discusses the importance of confidence and strength in negotiations, the challenges women athletes face, her personal experience with doping issues, and the transition from sports
Daragh Murphy: Unicorn CEO Reveals Enterprise Sales Playbook
In this episode, we sit down with Daragh Murphy, co-founder of Imprint, a leading fintech company in the co-branded credit card space. Daragh shares his journey from being an Irish immigrant to achieving $100 million in revenue in just fouryears. We delve into his background in law and management consulting, discussing how these experiences have shaped his approach to negotiation and entrepreneurs
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
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 betw
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 a
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
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
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 Trum
Michael Stoppelman: Managing at a Hyper-Growth Startup
In this episode, we delve into the professional journey of Michael Stoppelman, who transitioned from Google to Yelp and then to angel investing. Learn about his experiences starting at Google pre-IPO, growing Yelp's engineering team from 6 to 500, and managing complex engineering and product management dynamics. Michael shares his insights on negotiation in hiring, team management, and balancing c
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,
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 narr
Curtis Feeny: A Master Networker on how to build meaningful connections.
In this episode, we delve into the art of relationship building with Curtis Feeney, who is considered to be a master networker. Curtis discusses his success strategies for how to build and maintain relationships, including responsiveness, preparedness, and making thoughtful introductions. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding people's formative years, appreciating every individual you
Mark Gainey: Winning Through Negotiation with Strava co-founder
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
Sam Yagan: Why Negotiation Was Critical
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-m
Steven Cook: How to Negotiate With Israel
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 con
Molly Graham: Negotiating In Silicon Valley's Cold War
In this episode of All Things Negotiation, host Stan Christensen interviews Molly Graham, a seasoned Silicon Valley professional with experience at Google, Facebook, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Molly shares her journey through tech, discussing gender dynamics in negotiations and the crucial lessons she’s learned working within the most successful companies of the startup-tech world. She sh
Peter Metcalf, co-founder of Black Diamond: Crisis as an Opportunity in Drag
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
Dan Springer: Entrepreneur and Former CEO of Docusign
In this episode of All Things Negotiation, host Stan Christensen interviews Dan Springer, former CEO of Docusign, and an entrepreneur successful at running both private and public companies. They discuss the intricacies of negotiation in both personal and professional contexts, the importance of playing the long game in career negotiations, and the dynamics of understanding multiple parties involv
Charles Kupchan: Negotiating Current Conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and China
In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stan Christensen interviews Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss the complexities of global politics, the importance of dialogue in a multipolar world, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Kupchan shares insights into the role of China in international diplomacy, the challenges of U.S.-China relati
Andy Rachleff: Negotiate By Putting the Gun in the Other Person's Hand
In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stan Christensen interviews Andy Rachleff, co-founder of Benchmark Capital and Wealthfront. They discuss various aspects of negotiation, entrepreneurship, and career advice, emphasizing the importance of product-market fit, trust in relationships, and the dynamics of venture capital partnerships. Rachleff shares insights from his extensive experience in t
Steve Young: Negotiation On and Off the Field
In episode one of All Things Negotiation, Steve Young discusses the integral role of negotiation in football, sharing insights from his career as a Hall of Fame quarterback and Superbowl MVP. He emphasizes the importance of accountability, communication, and building relationships with teammates and coaches. Young also reflects on the evolution of player empowerment in the NFL and the significance
Welcome to All Things Negotiation
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 #SteveYoung #Stan Christensen
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