The Secret Strategy FBI Negotiators Use — And You Can Too (with Melissa Fortunato)

Negotiate Anything

American Negotiation Institute

Education, Careers, Business

4.8 • 659 Ratings

🗓️ 7 May 2025

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This isn’t theory—this is negotiation at the highest level. In this gripping episode, FBI negotiator Melissa Fortunato reveals the real tactics used in hostage crises—and how you can apply them to your toughest conversations at work and at home. From infiltrating criminal organizations undercover to de-escalating a 15-hour standoff, Melissa shares raw, behind-the-scenes stories that show why connection always beats force. You’ll learn why diversity makes teams more persuasive, how to show authority without killing trust, and the one skill most people neglect that could change every negotiation you’re in. Whether you're facing a deal on the edge or just want to be heard, this episode gives you tools that actually work. ⁠Follow Melissa F. on LinkedIn Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠negotiateanything.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to buy your copy of Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life!

Transcript

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0:25.8	From LinkedIn News, I'm Jesse Hempel, host of the Hello Monday podcast.
0:32.1	Start your week with the Hello Monday podcast. We'll navigate career pivots. We'll learn where happiness fits in. Listen to Hello Monday with me, Jesse Hempel on the LinkedIn Podcast Network, or wherever you get your podcasts.
0:42.8	Hey, I'm Kwame Christian, and you are about to step into the world of Negotiate Anything,
0:48.1	the number one negotiation podcast in the world where we teach you how to make difficult conversations easier
0:53.7	while getting more of what you want in the process. we teach you how to make difficult conversations easier while getting more of
0:54.9	what you want in the process. Each episode is packed with practical tips and strategies from the
1:00.4	experts. We delve into negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills that are crucial
1:06.0	in both business and in life. Whether you're closing a deal, managing a team, or navigating personal relationships,
1:13.1	Negotiate Anything provides you with the tools you need to succeed. Our conversations are real,
1:18.9	relatable, and most importantly, rooted in practicality. So if you're ready to transform your
1:24.7	conversations and elevate your negotiation skills, join me on Negotiate
1:29.1	Anything. Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you love to listen. Let's make
1:35.3	every conversation a winning negotiation. Melissa, thanks for joining us today.
1:43.0	Kwame, I'm so excited to be here.
1:44.6	Yes, we are excited to have you, my friends.
1:47.1	So how would you get it started by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
1:50.7	I can do that.
1:51.7	So my name is Melissa Fortunato.
1:53.8	I'm an FBI agent.
	...

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