Podcast
All Things Negotiation
Hosted by Stan Christensen · EN
A podcast about negotiation, persuasion, and influence—taught through real stories.
Hosted by Stan Christensen, who has taught negotiation at Stanford University for over 20 years, this bi-weekly podcast features founders, executives, investors, and foreign policy experts sharing real-world negotiation experiences.
Episodes explore how leaders negotiate with venture capitalists, employees, customers, boards, and governments—and what actually works when the stakes are high.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
David Neeleman: The JetBlue founder who built five successful airlines
Jan 1300:43:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Stan welcomes David Neeleman, a renowned figure in the airline industry, for an in-depth conversation on the intricacies of building successful airlines. David, who has founded five airlines including JetBlue and Breeze Airways, shares his insights on effective negotiation, leadership, and personal growth. The discussion covers his career journey, significant milestones, key strategies in negotiating with stakeholders, and maintaining a strong company culture. David also opens up about challenges, including his time at Southwest Airlines and the infamous Valentine's Day crisis at JetBlue, and the lessons learned from these experiences. 01:04 David Neeleman's Early Career and Morris Air02:21 The Sale to Southwest Airlines04:43 Challenges at Southwest and Moving On06:33 Founding WestJet and Navitaire09:40 The Birth of JetBlue11:17 JetBlue's Success and Differentiation13:29 Negotiating with Boeing and Airbus16:03 Customer Engagement and Communication Strategies22:14 Total Transparency and Accountability22:39 The Valentine's Day Massacre Crisis25:43 Lessons from Getting Fired29:51 Founding Azul Airlines32:18 Navigating Cross-Cultural Challenges34:14 The Success of Breeze Airways42:25 Effective Negotiation Strategies43:34 Advice for Young ProfessionalsHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
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Chip Conley: The entrepreneur who reinvented three industries
Dec 900:56:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Stan talks with Chip Conley, an iconic entrepreneur and the founder of the Joie De Vivre hotel chain, a key player in Airbnb, and the creator of the Modern Elder Academy. They dive into the principles of karmic capitalism, lessons learned from building and scaling multiple successful businesses, and strategies for maintaining a good reputation. Chip shares his experiences at Airbnb, dealing with regulation challenges, and the importance of inter-generational collaboration. They also discuss the Modern Elder Academy, where Chip helps individuals navigate midlife transitions and find new purpose. This episode is rich with lessons in negotiation, leadership, and holistic thinking.Check out: Chip’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcastModern Elder Academy: https://www.meawisdom.com/Chip’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeChrysalisPodcast00:00 Introduction to Karmic Capitalism00:20 Meet Chip Conley: Entrepreneurial Journey02:48 Founding Joie de Vivre Hotel Chain05:55 Negotiating with Bands and Tour Managers11:26 Risk and Decision Making in Business15:21 Hotel Vitale: A Case Study in Negotiation19:26 Managing Through Economic Downturns23:34 Transition to Airbnb and Burning Man Involvement29:20 The Ethos of Burning Man29:39 Negotiation Strategies and Personal Stories31:46 Joining Airbnb: A New Challenge33:08 Building Culture and Facing Challenges at Airbnb36:33 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics40:28 Regulation and Host Relations45:02 Founding the Modern Elder Academy48:09 Helping People Navigate Midlife Transitions52:25 The Value of Wisdom and Experience54:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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David Rubenstein: Carlyle Co-Founder on Negotiation Lessons from Wall Street to Washington
Nov 2000:49:08Tap to summarizeIn this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an insider's perspective on political dynamics, U.S. presidencies, and nonprofit leadership as Rubenstein shares stories from his distinguished career. Whether in business, politics, or personal relationships, find out how persistence, integrity, and bipartisanship are key to success.00:00 Introduction: The Power of Persuasion01:00 Building Relationships: Insights from David Rubenstein01:38 Developing an Outgoing Personality03:34 Lessons from Ted Sorenson04:47 The Role of Persistence in Fundraising08:17 Recruiting and Integrity at Carlisle11:36 Leadership Transitions at Carlisle14:36 Current Political Climate and Bipartisanship21:07 International Relations and Allies23:06 Presidential Power and Persuasion25:45 Trump's Popularity in the Middle East26:52 Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy28:08 Challenges in Leading Nonprofit Organizations32:19 The Role of Presidents in Negotiation33:05 Evaluating Presidential Effectiveness38:48 Obama's Struggles with Bipartisanship40:39 Supreme Court Confirmations and Politics42:03 Perspectives on Reagan and Bush45:19 Biden's Negotiation Challenges46:27 US-China Relations47:52 The Importance of Negotiation Skills50:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Jake Harriman: Building Trust Across Political Lines at More Perfect Union
Nov 400:56:49Tap to summarizeIn this compelling episode, Jake Harriman, founder of More Perfect Union, discusses his mission to bridge America's partisan divide through community service, civics, and social gatherings. Harriman, a former Marine with extensive combat experience in Iraq, shares how his military background and a transformational encounter in Southern Iraq pushed him to address extreme poverty in Africa through the nonprofit Nuru International. He later transitioned to More Perfect Union, inspired by the growing political divide in America. The conversation covers Harriman's active efforts in various communities, from rural Texas to urban Washington D.C., to unite people across political lines through structured activities and curated conversations. Key negotiation lessons emphasize active listening, empathy, and finding common ground.00:00 Introduction to the Guest and His Mission01:10 Jake's Military Background and Lessons Learned02:10 Negotiation Stories from the Battlefield12:37 A Life-Changing Experience in Iraq17:33 Founding NRU International19:42 Challenges and Successes in Africa27:14 Negotiation Tactics in Challenging Environments27:58 Ensuring Safety in Remote Areas29:05 Building Trust with Local Leaders30:45 Personal Stories of Security and Negotiation32:03 Faith in the Military's Loyalty33:23 Transition to More Perfect Union35:24 Founding More Perfect Union37:02 Brickyards: Building Community Trust40:15 Success Stories from Brickyards48:25 Recruiting and Training Brickyard Leaders55:48 Final Thoughts and Getting InvolvedHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
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Hannah Riley Bowles: Lessons on gender, power and negotiation
Oct 1400:41:03Tap to summarizeJoin us in an insightful conversation with Hannah Riley Bowles, a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School and an expert in negotiation. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of gender differences in negotiation, strategies for closing the gender pay gap, and the socio-economic and family dynamics influencing women's career advancement. Learn about the essential S.U.R.E framework for effective negotiation and uncover the impact of family support systems on career growth. Whether you're negotiating a salary, balancing family and work, or seeking relationship harmony, this discussion provides actionable advice and profound insights.See more of Hannah's work here: https://hbr.org/2021/01/negotiating-your-next-jobhttps://hbr.org/2014/06/why-women-dont-negotiate-their-job-offers00:00 Introduction: Gender and Negotiation00:29 Meet Hannah Riley Bowles01:09 Do Men and Women Negotiate Differently?03:35 The SURE Framework for Negotiation12:52 Women, Career Advancement, and Family33:14 The Role of Grandparents and Extended Family38:14 Conclusion: The Importance of Negotiation TrainingHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
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Dave Ferguson: From Waymo to Nuro and the Future of Self-Driving Cars
Sep 3000:48:20Tap to summarizeStan is joined by Dave Ferguson, Co-Founder and President of Nuro. In this episode, Dave discusses his transition from Waymo to Nuro, the pivotal shifts in their business model, and how they've managed to secure a monumental partnership with Uber and Lucid to create robo-taxis. Dave also opens up about the challenges faced during Nuro's evolution, from team restructuring to investor negotiations, and offers a glimpse into the future of autonomous vehicles. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable lessons on leadership, technology, and the path to a safer, autonomous future.00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview01:26 Dave Ferguson's Background and Early Career03:24 Founding Nuro and Co-Founder Dynamics05:45 The Role of Coaching in Leadership07:06 Nuro's Initial Vision and Market Challenges09:30 The Strategic Pivot and Its Implications15:47 Navigating Partnerships and Investor Relations18:34 Post-Pivot Challenges and Negotiations24:40 Employee Motivation and Overcoming Friction25:07 Honesty and Vulnerability in Leadership26:18 Handling Employee Turnover28:06 Introduction to Nuro's New Business Model30:51 Partnerships with Uber and Lucid34:39 The Importance of Trust in Negotiations41:57 Future of Autonomous Vehicles47:35 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsHost Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years.
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Michael Stoppelman: Managing at a Hyper-Growth Startup
Dec 17, 2024Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we delve into the professional journey of Michael Stoppelman, who transitioned from Google to Yelp and then to angel investing. Learn about his experiences starting at Google pre-IPO, growing Yelp's engineering team from 6 to 500, and managing complex engineering and product management dynamics. Michael shares his insights on negotiation in hiring, team management, and balancing constraints in startups. He gives valuable advice for entrepreneurs and engineers on building teams, handling conflicts, and navigating career transitions. 00:00 Introduction to Michael Stoppelman 01:24 Early Days at Google 07:29 Transition to Yelp 10:00 Building and Managing Engineering Teams 14:08 Handling Conflicts and Negotiations 21:56 Compensation and Titles 28:16 Angel Investing Insights 33:15 Advice for Aspiring Engineers 35:17 Conclusion Host Stan Christensen has spent his career working as a professional negotiator in a variety of arenas. He has also taught a popular course on negotiation at Stanford University for over twenty years. #Negotiation #Stan Christensen
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