Negotiate Anything: Negotiation | Persuasion | Influence | Sales | Leadership | Conflict Management

You've been told to "network" to get ahead. But what if that’s actually holding you back? In this episode, Andy Lopata joins Kwame to challenge everything we think we know about networking. Discover why most professionals waste time with tactics instead of strategy—and how real business success is built on intentional, strategic relationships that nobody taught you to build. Connect with Andy andylopata.com 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!

What does it take to genuinely connect across cultures, identities, and worldviews? In this episode, we sit down with my friend Melisande Kingchatchaval Schifter to unpack the mindset and skillset behind powerful human connection. Having lived on multiple continents, worked across sectors, and spoken several languages, Melly brings a rare global lens to the art—and strategy—of bridging difference. We explore the essential skills behind meaningful connection—trust, curiosity, and communication—and how they can be cultivated by anyone. Melly shares insights from boardrooms to grassroots movements, showing how cultural fluency and emotional intelligence can drive collaboration and results.  Melly is an executive leader with a global track record in shaping inclusive corporate strategies, international policies, and social impact initiatives. Her career spans Fortune 500 companies, global nonprofits, and international organizations like the World Economic Forum. She’s known for turning complex social challenge

Join me for an insightful LinkedIn Live session where we delve into the art of negotiating with kids and teens. Ever wondered how negotiation principles apply to children? Is it even feasible to negotiate with a teenager? We’ll be addressing all these questions and more. 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!

Your paycheck isn’t just a number — it’s a reflection of what you believe you deserve. But most of us were never taught how to ask for more. In this raw and practical episode, LinkedIn journalist and Gen Z voice Gianna Prudente joins Kwame Christian to expose the emotional barriers that keep people — especially young professionals — from negotiating their worth. You’ll learn how to reframe the conversation, build your career story, and walk into negotiations with confidence, even if you’re scared. If you've ever felt like you should just be "grateful" to have a job, this episode will help you see the cost of staying silent — and give you the tools to speak up. Let's talk Offline Podcast ⁠Follow Giana Prudente on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Let's Talk Offline Podcast⁠ Gianna’s weekly newsletter: ⁠https://linkedin.com/letstalkoffline⁠. Gianna (⁠http://linkedin.com/in/giannaprudente⁠) and Jamé (⁠http://linkedin.com/in/jamejackson⁠) Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

They won’t listen. They won’t budge. And every argument feels like running into a wall. Sound familiar? In this episode, Kwame Christian breaks down exactly how to deal with stubborn people in negotiation—without losing your cool or wasting your time. You’ll learn why trying to “change” them never works, how your own ego might be making things worse, and the smarter strategies that actually move the conversation forward. Whether you're facing a tough client, a rigid boss, or just someone who refuses to compromise, this episode gives you the tools to outsmart—not outshout—them. 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!

What if the real reason people overlook you has nothing to do with your skills—and everything to do with how you show up? In this powerful episode, Kwame sits down with Jamé Jackson—storyteller, actor, fashion journalist, and LinkedIn’s resident voice for creatives—to uncover the brutal truth about presence, authenticity, and why faking confidence never works. Jamé shares how she went from feeling invisible to building a brand that speaks volumes before she says a word. From ancient Greek to fashion runways to corporate boardrooms, she’s mastered the art of negotiating without pretending to be someone else. If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small, struggling to be taken seriously, or unsure how to show up as the real you in high-stakes rooms—this episode will change the game. Because before anyone buys into your ideas, they have to buy into you. Connect with Jamé Do you have any burning questions about work? We want to hear them! You can email us your questions at ⁠letstalkoffline@linkedin

Most negotiation failures start before the conversation even begins In this episode, Kwame sits down with Seth Freeman — NYU and Columbia professor, corporate lawyer, and author of 15 Tools to Turn the Tide — to reveal the single most practical negotiation tool you’ve probably never heard of: the TTT Grid. Together, they break down: Why elite negotiators rely on checklists (and why you should too) How MasterCard’s top dealmakers use this 4-column framework The “Golden Minute” technique that instantly lowers tension A 10-letter mnemonic that saved a dentist, a Congress bill, and a merger You’ll walk away with plug-and-play strategies that work in the real world — whether you're leading a high-stakes deal or just trying to avoid getting steamrolled. No fluff, no theory dumps — just powerful tools that win. Follow Seth Freeman on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠ Buy Now Seth's Book: 15 Tools to Turn the Tide: A Step-by-Step Playbook for Empowered Negotiating Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A

You’re not being ignored because your ideas are bad — you’re being ignored because your delivery is forgettable. Buy the book: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience by Bill McGowan In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist and communication coach Bill McGowan joins Kwame Christian to expose the hidden mistakes even smart professionals make when they speak. From meetings to pitches, presentations to interviews, you’re probably missing key moments to influence — and you don’t even realize it. You’ll learn: Why “winging it” is sabotaging your credibility The 3 parts of a message your audience always remembers How to craft punchy openings, unforgettable closings, and sticky metaphors What “theftosterone” is — and how to protect your ideas from being stolen The truth about authenticity (and why faking it isn’t always bad) Whether you're a leader, speaker, or content creator, this episode will sharpen the way you speak — forever. Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

That’s the rule Sharmin Ali lives by — even when it almost killed her. Buy now the book ⁠Bitch, Stop! Please . . . : An Entrepreneur's Journey of Innovation, from Chaos to Clarity⁠ by Sharmin Ali In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Sharmin reveals what it takes to walk away from Google, build two multi-million dollar companies across continents, and face the brutal cost of ambition. We go deep into the art of negotiating exits, building trust from scratch, and why most people fail — not because they lack talent, but because they never learned to hear themselves. If you’ve ever felt like you're too intense, too chaotic, or too much for the system you're in... this episode is your permission to go all in — without losing yourself. Connect with Sharmin Ali sharminali.com Buy now the book Bitch, Stop! Please . . . : An Entrepreneur's Journey of Innovation, from Chaos to Clarity by Sharmin Ali Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Blame is easy. But real power? That comes when you take responsibility for your part — and invite others to do the same. In this masterclass with Sheila Heen, we dismantle the blame game and show you the negotiation move that changes everything. Connect with Sheila Heen: ⁠Follow Sheila on LinkedIn⁠ Buy the Book: ⁠Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most  ⁠ ⁠triadconsultinggroup.com ⁠ ⁠Help Yourself 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!

If no one’s following you, it’s not your message — it’s your mindset. In this raw and revealing episode, change strategist Pam Marmon exposes the hidden forces that sabotage even the smartest visions: fear, control, passive resistance, and the lie we keep telling ourselves — that change is just “hard.” You’ll learn: Why employees resist you, not just the change The subtle ways leaders micromanage without realizing it How your need to “get it done” is killing your influence The three forms of resistance and how to defuse each one What real listening looks like — especially when no one is talking Why every failed transformation begins with the wrong belief Whether you're rolling out a new initiative, rebranding your business, or simply trying to get your team to care — this conversation is your crash course in becoming the kind of leader people want to follow. Because if your people feel like change is happening to them, not with them — you’ve already lost. Contact Pa

If you think empathy makes you soft, you’ve already lost the negotiation. In this masterclass, psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff dismantles the myth that empathy is a weakness — and reveals how it can become your sharpest strategic edge in business, leadership, and life. You’ll learn: Why emotionally detached “logic” leaders burn out — and how to fix it How to disarm aggression and navigate conflict with strength and clarity The difference between performing empathy and actually living it How to lead teams without shame, ego, or bulldozing ideas When empathy can fail — and how to spot narcissists before they exploit you Tactical ways to respond when you're out of time, out of patience, or totally disagree Dr. Orloff shares practical, actionable tools from her book The Genius of Empathy (with a foreword by the Dalai Lama), including strategies for tough conversations, emotional self-protection, and leading with intention — not intimidation. If you wa

You don’t have a “difficult people” problem — you have a perception problem. Most of the tension you feel with others doesn’t come from who they are — it comes from how you’re reading them. In this masterclass episode, Kwame Christian breaks down the psychological patterns that make certain personalities seem “impossible” — and shows you how to turn frustration into collaboration using practical, repeatable strategies. You’ll learn: The 5 personality traits you must understand to lead and persuade anyone How to quickly assess someone’s behavior — without labeling or judging Why your best leadership tools stop working with certain people (and how to adapt) How to handle pushback, coldness, or resistance without losing your cool A real-time script for giving feedback without triggering defensiveness Why emotional control, not charisma, is your most persuasive asset How to reframe every tense moment — even with bulldozers, skeptics, and cynics If you’ve ever said “I

Most people think they’re bad at negotiating. The truth? They’re just not noticing when the negotiation begins. In this episode, professor and global negotiation expert Suzanne de Janasz joins Kwame to reveal why missed moments — not missing skills — are what keep most people stuck. Whether it’s asking your partner for help, challenging unfair dynamics at work, or speaking up about the “small things” before they blow up, negotiation is happening everywhere… even if you don’t see it. You’ll learn: Why timing is strategy — and why ambushing never works How small annoyances become big problems when you stay silent How to evaluate if something is worth negotiating — or worth letting go The invisible labor women take on without realizing it Why sarcasm, snark, and silence are all signs of negotiation avoidance A simple mindset shift to start recognizing negotiation opportunities in daily life If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking “I should’ve said somethin

They read you before they hear you. In this episode, Dr. David Matsumoto—renowned psychologist, judo black belt, and expert in nonverbal behavior—reveals how your body language shapes every negotiation before a single word is spoken. You'll learn the critical difference between nonverbal behavior and nonverbal communication, why observation is your most underused superpower, and how to project confidence without faking it. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the mat, this conversation will change how you see others—and how they see you. Contact David Matsumoto, Ph.D. ⁠Humintell: https://www.humintell.com/⁠ ⁠Follow David 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!

In this episode, world-renowned chef and entrepreneur Robert Irvine reveals the turning point that changed his leadership forever.  He built his empire through grit and command — but it wasn’t until he embraced empathy that everything truly leveled up. Robert shares the raw, behind-the-scenes lessons that reshaped how he leads people, grows businesses, and connects in high-stakes negotiations. If you think success is just about pushing harder, this conversation will flip that idea on its head. chefirvine.com 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!

People don’t trust who you are—they trust what they feel around you. In this powerful episode, Kwame Christian sits down with Shawn Anthony—entrepreneur, talent manager, and host of School’s Over… Now What?—to reveal the hidden mechanics behind trust, influence, and real connection. Discover how Shawn turned his ability to connect people into a six-figure side hustle and then a thriving media business. From the boardroom to the podcast studio, Shawn shares real stories and strategies about building credibility, creating opportunity through generosity, and using podcasting as a tool for persuasive leverage. Whether you're trying to grow your brand, gain buy-in, or lead with confidence, this episode shows you what actually makes people believe in you—and what quietly pushes them away. Connect with Anthony podpromax.com Contact ANI ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Request A Customized Workshop For Your Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠negotiateanything.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to buy your copy

If self-promotion makes you cringe, you're not alone In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist turned communications coach Jessica Chen shares a new, smarter way to stand out at work — especially if being loud, flashy, or self-congratulatory just isn't your style. Drawing from her book Smart, Not Loud, Jessica explains how to build executive presence, advocate for yourself, and get noticed for all the right reasons — without betraying who you are. She and Kwame explore why common workplace advice doesn’t work for everyone, how cultural values shape confidence, and what it really means to be assertive on your own terms. Whether you're naturally reserved or just tired of being told to "speak up more," this conversation offers a refreshing, actionable path to visibility, respect, and career growth. Connect with Jessica ⁠Follow Jessica on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Jessica Chen’s Services⁠ ⁠https://soulcastmedia.com/⁠ ⁠Podcast: Communicating Confidently With Jessica Chen⁠ ⁠Buy the book Smart, NOT LOUD: How to Get Not

Most feedback fails not because it’s wrong — but because it triggers defensiveness. ⁠Buy the book Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower by Therese Huston⁠ In this episode, cognitive scientist and author Therese Huston joins Kwame Christian to reveal the brain science behind effective, non-threatening feedback. You’ll learn why even well-meaning feedback can backfire, how to prevent emotional resistance before it starts, and what most managers get completely wrong when delivering hard truths. Whether you're a leader avoiding uncomfortable conversations or someone who wants to build a culture of trust, this episode gives you practical, research-backed tools to speak up without sparking conflict. Discover the subtle shifts — from leading with listening to stating your intentions — that make feedback land with clarity and care.

You don’t need pressure to persuade — you need the right question. In this episode, Yale professor and bestselling author Zoe Chance joins Kwame Christian to share the most practical, science-backed influence strategies used by top leaders, negotiators, and communicators. You'll learn how to apply her signature "magic question" in real conversations, how unfair forgiveness can increase loyalty, and why most people misunderstand what real persuasion looks like. Zoe also breaks down why kindness isn’t weakness, how to influence without manipulation, and what Hollywood gets completely wrong about negotiation. Whether you’re leading a team, managing conflict, or just trying to get through a difficult conversation, this episode will help you shift from force to connection — and become more influential in the process. You’ll discover: The 4-word question that changes everything Why empathy builds more commitment than incentives A reframe that helps you handle resistance with grace T