This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. When someone has a gun to the head of another person, and wishes to do them harm, how can a negotiator talk them down? Learn directly, from the man who has done it professionally. The answer is to become a Leader by bonding with the other individual, no matter how difficult they might be. The same techniques can be applied to negotiations in the boardroom, or with any other person who presents a difficult challenge.

George Kohlrieser has 40 years of experience as a psychologist and hostage negotiator. He is an organizational and clinical psychologist, and Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at one of the world’s leading business schools, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland. At IMD he created and directs the school’s flagship High Performance Leadership (HPL) program. He is also the author of the award-winning bestseller Hostage at The Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others and Raise Performance, published in 2006, and co-author of Care to Dare: Unleashing Astonishing Potential Through Secure Base Leadership, published in 2012.

Building his lessons learned from decades in the field, he works with companies and organizations based all over the world and serves on the advisory board of the Neuroleadership Institute. He focuses on the neuroscience behind high performance leadership and teamwork, conflict management, change management, dialogue and negotiations, stress management, fulfilling potential and playing to win.

Kohlrieser is also a popular motivational speaker and a respected media commentator. He has been a guest on the BBC, CNN, ABC and CBS. His work has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Economist and other leading newspapers and magazines. Matters of the Mind, his highly acclaimed radio call-in talk show in the United States, ran for over ten years.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)