Inside the Mind of a Hostage Negotiator - Scott Walker

Scott Walker is a former Scotland Yard detective, world renowned hostage negotiator and an author.
Having successfully resolved over 300 cases, from hostage negotiations to piracy, ransom and cyber extortion attacks, Scott has gained deep insights into how human communication works and today we get to find out his wildest stories and best tips.
Expect to learn how the science of negotiating actually works, the questions should you ask at the beginning of a negotiation to set the tone, how you can deal with overwhelm and nerves in high pressure situations, Scott’s advice for negotiating with difficult people, how to avoid the most common negotiation mistakes and much more...
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#communication #negotiation #hostage
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00:00 Scott’s Unique Background
03:46 The Reality of Kidnap Response
07:21 A Negotiator’s View of Human Nature
15:36 Differences Between Extortion Vs Human Kidnapping
18:20 Reacting to Apple TV’s ‘Hijack’
22:16 Core Components of Successful Negotiating
28:50 Strategies to Build Rapport
31:03 How to Prepare for Negotiation
39:02 Balancing Empathy & Rationality
46:13 The Don’ts of Negotiation
51:43 Where to Find Scott
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Get in touch in the comments below or head to...
Instagram: / chriswillx
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[@ChrisWillx]

Hello you beauties. Access all episodes 10 hours earlier than KZbin by Subscribing on Spotify - spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - apple.co/2MNqIgw. Here’s the timestamps: 00:00 Scott’s Unique Background 03:46 The Reality of Kidnap Response 07:21 A Negotiator’s View of Human Nature 15:36 Differences Between Extortion Vs Human Kidnapping 18:20 Reacting to Apple TV’s ‘Hijack’ 22:16 Core Components of Successful Negotiating 28:50 Strategies to Build Rapport 31:03 How to Prepare for Negotiation 39:02 Balancing Empathy & Rationality 46:13 The Don’ts of Negotiation 51:43 Where to Find Scott

[@topsysdad1]

Og88😅i9 0:22

[@antonyshadowbanned]

Scott is an inspiration and 'Scotland Yard Confidential' one of the best true crime podcast imo! So glad you had him on.

[@c3ka]

7:31 I love, love, LOVE this answer. That sort of question could very easily lead to an answer that's essentially self-praise (which would still be fine). But he highlights the strength in every one of us and it's so powerful because it's coming from someone like him -- we need more badass people with a tendency towards optimism and encouragement.

[@goldilocks913]

His bad day at the office is a really bad day for someone else

[@aaronsmithjr.5505]

I actually display the same physical symptoms when I’m lying as well as when I’m telling the truth. It’s not even a flex because it’s actually a curse. When people think I’m lying, I’m telling the truth, when people think I’m telling the truth, I’m lying. I sweat profusely when I’am telling the truth and I sweat profusely when I’m lying.

[@stretch1807]

Dude, I know! People who think you can spot "tells" when people are lying have 0 understanding of the wildly complex nature of human biological processes.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

the book Never split the difference by Chriss Voss is super interesting on this topic

[@Apollothecrowing]

Judging by the views and likes on this one, I would say this is an underrated episode. People are missing out if they're skipping this one. Thanks again Chris.

[@andreavanda5402]

Scott is a really chill and friendly dude who looks like it's hard to ruffle his feathers. I'm sure he's excellent at his job. I really enjoyed this one. Thanks. ❤

[@securitysupreme]

That's why I always act like I have no idea what's going on; it's easier to fool people that way. Also, never divulge personal information; it will always be used against you.

[@GodGuy8]

Haggling over the value of a human life, freaking dark subject. Thank you for putting this out there and thanks for taking on the stress of that necessary work

[@albertlevins9191]

Exciting topic. Let's see how many of these tricks I already know. Then, learn the ones I don't.

[@beefcakeii]

Excellent episode! Thank you 🙏

[@amandapencil6758]

Great interview , thank you both .

[@roderickmckinley4738]

Amazing guest - thanks Chris.

[@FreddotheWheelchairGuy]

Incredibly insightful with regard to life in general and communication with others. Fantastic listen. Side note - I’ve listened to so many MW pods now, I know when you’re going to go into an anecdote eg. Winston Churchill and it reminds me of Rogan - a big compliment ❤️

[@englishdogs]

Marvellous chin, Scott.

[@dannycopeland247]

Chris, my dude, I can't keep up with the pace at which you're pumping out excellent and interesting conversations that I want to listen/watch and engage with. Got any holiday time soon so us stragglers can catch up? 😂

[@podcastsummaries7672]

👀

[@ChaosKnight06]

Good interview as always.

[@SigmaWarrior1978]

Class act Chris. Excellent guest and content.

[@goodlookinouthomie1757]

Scott is a man with a perticular set of skills.

[@thomassterk8457]

Great episode Chris! I'd love to throw Jared Bauer into your ring of podcast candidates. His ideas on philosophy are channeled really well through pop culture and I'd love a conversation between you two to really pick his brain!! 🤙💪

[@Jennm411]

Amazing interview ! - Jen from Bahamas 🎉

[@anFy81]

awesome episode, very interesting and insightful - also, now I am less worried about kidnappings - 93% is a high rate of recovery...

Hum, that summarizes pretty well the classic literature on the subject of negotiation. Fisher, R., Ury, W. et Patton, B. (2011). Getting to yes: negotiating agreement without giving in (3rd ed., rev. ed). Penguin. Stone, D., Patton, B. et Heen, S. (2010). Difficult conversations: how to discuss what matters most; [updated with answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about difficult conversation] ([2. ed.], 10. anniversary ed). Penguin Books. Ury, W. (1992). Getting past no: negotiating with difficult people (New ed). Century Business [u.a.].

[@philiphudgens4726]

Quick method: they often have the letters, 'MP' after their names!

[@L.I.T.H.I.U.M]

Did you ask him anything about Chris Voss and his book on negotiation? If not, why not? If you did, can someone give me the timestamp?

[@jellevanbreugel325]

wasn't mentioned. I read the book, great stories in there!

[@L.I.T.H.I.U.M]

I found it impractical, though. For example, mirroring is often responded by a "yes".@@jellevanbreugel325

[@baronvonhoughton]

Every guest - "In my book"

[@AshAndCream]

Think we just discovered the identity of the Crimson Chin.

[@polo-wv2gs]

Does this make Chris - Cleft the boy chin wonder...

[@AshAndCream]

@@polo-wv2gs Yes, I believe it does!

[@felimart]

Please get Chris Voss!

[@KindnessOffensive]

This is confusing? There’s nothing in this interview about spotting a liar?

[@Chris..........]

You spotted him! Congrats 🎉

[@AR-qn9mq]

Clickbait

[@GeoffWilde]

Struggling to find any record of the Churchill quote, anyone any info?

[@ytpah9823]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🚔 Scott Walker's background is as a kidnap for ransom negotiator or a crisis response consultant. 00:26 💰 Most kidnappings are business transactions with a ransom demand. 01:20 🚀 More people have been to the International Space Station than do Scott's role as full-time tier one professional negotiators. 02:00 👮 Scott's background includes being a detective at Scotland Yard for 16 years and an interrogator in Iraq. 02:54 🧠 He is deeply interested in understanding how people think, feel, and act, especially during times of crisis. 03:51 🎬 Negotiating kidnappings isn't always as glamorous as shown in movies, often involving long waiting periods. 05:13 🏢 Handling internal stakeholders can be more challenging than dealing with the kidnappers themselves. 06:51 🎥 Sometimes real-life negotiation dynamics mirror the complexities depicted in movies. 07:33 💪 People possess remarkable resilience, capable of overcoming immense challenges if they maintain a positive mindset. 08:43 🕵️ One of Scott's highest-pressure situations involved a kidnapping related to rival drug gangs in London. 10:06 🚔 The speaker discussed an operation where the response blew their cover due to a strong armed presence. 10:49 💬 The speaker emphasizes the 93% success rate of negotiated settlements in hostage situations compared to riskier rescue operations. 11:35 🌍 Talked about a kidnapping incident in a West African country, highlighting the challenges in negotiations, especially with significant differences in ransom amounts. 13:53 🤝 The importance of internal politics and negotiation was emphasized, more so than dealing with external threats like kidnappers. 14:22 🎩 The story of Winston Churchill demonstrating the idea that one's own side can often be a bigger challenge than the perceived external enemy. 15:45 💻 The speaker draws a distinction between traditional kidnappings and cyber extortions, noting the different challenges in each scenario. 18:28 📺 Mention of the show "Hijacked" on Apple TV starring Idris Elba, with the speaker offering his professional perspective on the show's portrayal of hostage situations. 19:20 🎬 The entertainment value of the series "Hijacked" is acknowledged, but its accuracy in portraying real-life negotiation scenarios is questioned. 20:02 🧠 The importance of understanding hijackers' motivations and leverage points. 20:57 🔍 Being curious about the other person's underlying beliefs, motivations, and needs. 21:25 🔄 The repetition of the negotiation process feels like "Groundhog Day". 22:32 ❓ Avoid asking self-centered questions; instead, be genuinely curious about the other person. 23:41 👂 Techniques for effective listening include paraphrasing and emotional labeling. 24:49 🐘 Addressing and naming emotions can help tame them. 26:09 🛠️ Utilize "what" and "how" questions to get others to articulate their desires. 27:21 🎯 Asking "What would success look like?" provides clarity on a partner's objectives. 28:46 🤝 Building rapport isn't a one-time achievement but a continuous process. 29:31 🤝 Building empathy and rapport is essential for effective communication and persuasion. 30:13 🌐 It's important to differentiate between opposition (someone you disagree with but respect) and an enemy. 31:06 📖 Just 15 minutes of preparation can significantly improve your performance in negotiations or discussions. 32:16 😓 Expect and accept discomfort during negotiations; manage your own emotions before trying to influence others. 33:09 ✋ Consider potential objections or challenges in advance and prepare responses for them. 34:18 🌊 When emotions run high, use the "immediate action drill" to interrupt the pattern, ride the emotional wave, and ask clarifying questions. 36:10 ❓ Approach situations with more curiosity than assumption. 36:38 🚫 Allow yourself to feel emotions without assigning a story or meaning to them; sensations alone don't dictate our responses. 37:49 🏄‍♂️ Embrace the "surfer analogy" - treat intense emotions like waves, ride them out without reacting impulsively. 38:14 🌀 Everyone has an inner "red center" - a place of calm and balance even amidst chaos. 38:43 🧘 Techniques we've acquired over the years are always within us; we just need to harness them. 39:09 ⚖️ There's a tension between empathy and detachment in decision-making. 39:35 💡 Empathy in negotiation isn't about feeling the pain, but showing understanding. 40:42 👂 Proactive listening versus passive listening; most people just wait for their turn to speak. 41:26 🕰️ Our attention span is decreasing, leading to less genuine listening. 42:09 🐶 The power of nodding as a tool in active listening, likened to the "Churchill the nodding dog". 43:57 🎭 Discussing genuine actions vs. acting; Danny Trejo's approach of "just doing the thing". 45:36 🎯 Simplicity and authenticity are more effective than overcomplicating with techniques. 46:03 ❌ Common negotiation mistakes include not listening, giving unsolicited advice, and letting emotions take over. 47:13 💔 High stakes of emotional imbalance in negotiation: In a kidnapping scenario, lives can be lost due to poor emotional management. 47:54 🤝 Preference for speaking with engaged team members, regardless of rank. 48:07 🧠 Discussing personal strategies to overcome regrets and anxieties from negotiations. 48:51 📓 Two essential questions Scott asks himself: "So what? Now what?" to cut through distractions. 49:19 📞 Challenges faced when a courier with ransom money went MIA during a negotiation. 49:58 👮 The courier was detained by police due to carrying a large sum of money. 50:27 😰 Intensifying tensions with kidnappers due to delays and misunderstandings. 50:42 🤐 Establishing trust with kidnappers helped in buying time during negotiations.

[@georgf9279]

Is this man who the gigachad is modelled after?

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

"negotiation" --> sales "the hostage" --> their money lol "safe room for the hostage" --> my pocket/bank account

[@AshAndCream]

I don't think there was a single moment where spotting a liar was brought up. Very misleading and disappointing.

[@chessmaster2000]

Seriously! What’s up with these misleading clickbait thumbnails that have NOTHING to do with the actual content 🤦‍♂️

[@christophercollins2221]

The thumbnail WAS the lie. You failed to spot the liar.

[@AshAndCream]

@@christophercollins2221 SHIT!

[@jonathanspencer4834]

Who knows what would-be hostage taker is watching this presentation . That in itself is complicating and compromising the future crisis . It will lend a certain cynicism towards proceedings, on the part of the hostage-taker ! For this reason I regard the decision by the very interesting and illuminating speaker here to be a little hubristic of him , and potentially reckless too. The onus is on him to , like MI5 , remain in the shadows and not give the game away. Otherwise excellent podcast Chris, I enjoyed it alot 😊

[@nobodyshero200]

Is there enough advertising. I am trying to work on my car!

[@OLBK]

Chris might not realise that the listeners will view him very differently after this episode.

[@luck3yp0rk93]

what why

[@mariomaro7]

🤔

[@iamkamsai]

I’m getting Liam Neeson vibes from him 😂

[@Humanaut.]

If your child has been kidnapped and there is a hostage negotiaton you're lucky. The alternative is human trafficking and I'm not sure what words are censored on KZbin so I'll leave it at that and you can fill in the rest.

[@bennyc409]

"I'm Idris Elba, I think I can handle a little hostage negotiation. I'm a writer, producer, DJ, actor, kickboxer, cat.... Alright you be the terrorist and I'll be Idris Elba."

[@Blerwerler]

This Man's smile does not fit his specialty.

[@billjohnson1094]

For the algo

[@ge9367]

Algorithm

[@jamsinentertainment7127]

The thumbnail has nothing to do with this conversation😑. I can say that because I watched the entire conversation😑. It not a bad conversation, it just has a misleading thumbnail😑.

[@charlesstoeng9166]

Well... Nice guy! Talks to easily about himself. Red flags come up.

[@Korradoar]

...if you cover the top half of his face he has the jaw and mouth of a mature man, and then cover the bottom half of his face he has the eyes of the a youthful gentlemen. lol.

[@Mindfeels]

The show Hijacked is objectively rubbish. This man said it was exceptional writing😂...all credibility lost🤨

[@vevitier]

A max ten is for 14 year old.

[@nez2598]

Interviewee is a psychopath, for sure. But has done a lot of work to incorporate that persona into his personality.

[@coolmagnifico]

I really don't get anything of value from this interview

[@6tuf85dyfu]

Get Chris Voss on the pod!

[@ChrisWillx]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3PYamVpppt1fLs