NEGOTIATEx

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, negotiation experts Noam and Chad discuss the book, “Star Wars and Conflict Resolution,” examining negotiation strategies through the lens of Star Wars characters. They explore how deeply ingrained conflict modes such as competition, cooperation, accommodation, avoidance, and compromise are reflected in characters like Anakin Skywalker, Finn, C3PO, and Owen Lars. Through a detailed analysis of Darth Vader’s strategic choices, they demonstrate the potential to deviate from default conflict modes. They also discuss the importance of self-awareness, strategic choices, and flexibility in negotiation, offering practical exercises for those seeking to enhance their negotiation skills.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, Noam Ebner and Chad Austin, contributors to ‘Star Wars and Conflict Resolution,’ discuss their experiences and strategies in negotiation and conflict resolution. Drawing on personal experiences, they explore how understanding diversity, self-awareness, and shared humanity can facilitate effective negotiation. They also reveal how they leverage the Star Wars universe to engage a wider audience, making conflict resolution more accessible through popular culture.

In this episode of the NEGOTIATEx podcast, we continue our conversation with Mike Phillips, author of The Naked Negotiator. Mike delves deeper into negotiation strategies, including the influence of emotional investment in salary negotiations, the importance of making the first offer, and how to manage cross-cultural and commercial negotiations. He also highlights common negotiation mistakes and shares valuable insights on internal organizational dynamics and how one should initiate a negotiation. 

Today we continue our conversation with Valerie Alston, a performance coach, and mental strength conditioning expert. Valerie shares her insights on managing emotions, cultivating resilience, and employing physical movement for mental agility. She offers coping strategies for success-driven stress and guidance for parents of young athletes. Valerie outlines a three-step process—discover, build, apply—for continuous personal growth and development.

Valerie Alston, a performance coach, sports psychologist, and master resilience trainer for the U.S. Army, joins us this week. She shares her personal journey, career transition, and insights into mental resilience training in the military. Valerie explores the psychology of performing under stress, harnessing emotions for high performance, and the role of vulnerability and mindfulness in managing emotions. Alston’s mission is to equip individuals, especially young athletes, with the mental strength needed to succeed in life, sports, and high-pressure environments. 

Today we are joined by John Dieffenbach, a highly experienced negotiator with a fascinating career journey. Dieffenbach illuminates the integral role of communication, improvisation, humor, and a keen understanding of the negotiation context in reaching successful outcomes. He emphasizes viewing negotiation as a process of influence and adaptation rather than combat. John shares strategies for handling challenging negotiation scenarios, including walking away when necessary, and highlights the necessity of trust-building. 

Dr. Linda Street continues her insightful conversation on negotiation strategies and challenges faced by physicians. She also discusses the importance of aligning physicians' requests with hospital interests, strategies to navigate common employer tactics during contract negotiations, and the need for contractual awareness when exiting toxic work environments.