Chris Voss was the FBI's lead international hostage negotiator… but these days, he's helping CEOs, speakers, and sales pros negotiate million-pound deals, win high-stakes conversations, and get results — without pushing, pitching, or people-pleasing.

In this episode of The Speaking Club, I'm joined by the author of Never Split the Difference to explore how you can use his real-world-tested negotiation techniques to build trust fast, shift resistant clients into action, and speak with more power and presence.

And yes — I even used one of his own tactics to get him to say "yes" to coming on the show!
Whether you're trying to book more speaking gigs, close better clients, or simply influence with integrity — this one's packed with actionable diamonds!

What you'll discover:

• How Chris Voss went from SWAT and undercover ops to suicide hotlines and high-stakes hostage negotiation — and why it made him one of the world's top communication experts.
• What compelled Chris to share his FBI-developed negotiation system with the world instead of retiring into the sunset — and how that decision shaped Never Split the Difference.
• The one negotiation tactic that sounds great on paper… but can actually backfire, and what to do instead.
• Chris's ride-or-die technique — the one negotiation move he'd keep if all others were off the table.
• The common "influence" move that actually kills deals faster than anything — and what to replace it with.
• How Chris would handle a client who's stalling on a deadline or payment — and the exact question he'd use to move them into action.
• The subtle ways Chris reads and influences a room when he's speaking — and how his FBI experience shapes his delivery and timing.
• Why "labelling the room" during a talk can deepen audience connection — and how to read silent resistance and adjust in the moment.
• What the concept of the "Black Swan" means for public speaking — and how spotting the right insight can completely change your impact.
• How to make your audience feel in control (even if you're the one guiding them) — and why that's the secret to ethical influence and increased action.
• Why "Yes is nothing without how" — and how to use this principle in your calls to action so that people actually follow through after your talk.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here>>

Guest Information:
Website: https://www.blackswanltd.com/chris-voss
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophervoss

Books & Resources*:

Start with No by Jim Camp

The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler

Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

Speaking Resources:
Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge

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· Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

I first came across Adele Bates when I was judging the Storytelling category at the Speaker Awards—and her talk really stood out and grabbed my attention.

It was powerful, authentic, challenging and captivating.

She didn't just tell the story. She performed it. Her talk built drama and connected emotionally to the audience, leading you to see a new perspective.

Based on that performance and the fact that she went on to win the award for best storyteller, I knew I had to get her on the show.

Not only did I want her to unpack the craft behind that talk, but I also wanted to dig into the powerful work she's doing at the intersection of education, leadership, and human behaviour.

Adele has over 20 years' experience working in some of the most challenging educational environments—mainstream, special, and alternative provision. Her journey has taken her from classrooms where she's had juice poured over her head and skateboards hurled at her… to research trips across the globe… to keynote stages and international recognition.

She is the author of "Miss, I Don't Give A Sh*t: Engaging with Challenging Behaviour in Schools. And today she and her team also work with organisations and leaders to tackle challenging dynamics in the workplace.

Whether you're a speaker, leader, educator or changemaker, Adele's stories and insights will challenge your thinking, stir your empathy, and give you practical tools for connection and communication.

What You'll Discover:

• What triggered Adele to set off on a quest to discover a different way of approaching dealing with challenging behaviour.
• The key values that guide Adele's work with both students and corporate leaders.
• How to hold high expectations and compassion without burning out.
• The real disconnect between behaviour policies and lived experience in schools.
• The surprise career Adele had before she became a teacher and how she made the transition from educator to paid keynote speaker.
• The big mistake she made with a speaking client that she would never make again.
• Why it doesn't matter if you are introverted or extroverted to be successful as a speaker.
• How she developed the award-winning storytelling section of her talk.
• The single piece of feedback that transformed her speaking presence.
  
  

All things Adele:

Website: adelebateseducation.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adele-bates-03b566208/

Books & Resources*:

Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Nicola S. Morgan is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and author who helps individuals and organisations transform chaos into calm, and emotional strain into sustainable strength. With a background in education and behavioural change, she specialises in resilience, emotional wellbeing, and effective behaviour strategies—skills she's delivered to thousands of professionals across schools, public services, and corporate teams.

Nicola's powerful storytelling and practical frameworks have earned her accolades, including Best TEDx Talk 2024 at the Speaker Awards, where her talk resonated deeply with audiences navigating stress and uncertainty.

She's not just a speaker—she's walked the talk. From overcoming a fear of deep water to completing a swim across the English Channel, Nicola's own journey fuels her message about courage, mindset, and unfinished business.

Whether she's helping a school leader navigate conflict or guiding a speaker to handle stage pressure with grace, Nicola equips people with the tools to stay calm, connected, and effective—even under stress.

What You'll Discover:

• What drove Nicola to swim the English Channel… despite a fear of deep water
• How "unfinished business" can become a secret weapon for confidence and growth
• The behind-the-scenes story of her award-winning TEDx talk—and whether that captain's comment haunted or inspired her
• The surprising moment she realised she had a message the world needed to hear
• The resilience skill that works just as well in a school staffroom as it does in a high-stakes boardroom
• Why the strongest speakers aren't the toughest—but the most flexible
• The personal 'Nicola-ism' she uses before taking the stage to stay grounded and in control
• The biggest mindset shift she had to make moving from teacher and writer to keynote speaker
• A simple behaviour shift that can instantly boost your speaker presence
• The #1 lie your brain tells you when you're under pressure—and how to shut it down fast

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

All things Nicola:

Email: hello@nicolasmorgan.com

Website: https://nicolasmorgan.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-s-morgan-479b9032/

Books & Resources*:

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)