Kidnap negotiator Scott Walker says the skills he uses can be applied everyday, from asking for a raise in work to dealing with teenagers.
"In 2015, I left my work as a Scotland Yard detective to build my experience in kidnap-for-ransom negotiations and other similar perils, as what’s called a response consultant.
"For the next few years, this is what I did, always keeping my kit bag with me and staying no more than three hours away from a major airport. The high tempo of the work meant that during this period, I helped resolve more than 300 cases of kidnapping and other similar crises such as piracy, extortion and cyber-attack.
"These negotiations occurred all over the world, from the UK, US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East to India, the Philippines, Australia, China, Africa and Latin America.
"Over time, I was able to identify which patterns worked and those that didn’t. What I found so striking when I started working with business leaders is the sheer amount of cross-over between business and kidnap negotiations.
"I’ve realised negotiation is about influencing and persuading, and bringing about some cooperative collaboration — and the same skills apply whether you’re asking for a pay raise, asking teenagers to pick up wet towels off the floor or dealing with a hostage situation."
"In 2015, I left my work as a Scotland Yard detective to build my experience in kidnap-for-ransom negotiations and other similar perils, as what’s called a response consultant.
"For the next few years, this is what I did, always keeping my kit bag with me and staying no more than three hours away from a major airport. The high tempo of the work meant that during this period, I helped resolve more than 300 cases of kidnapping and other similar crises such as piracy, extortion and cyber-attack.
"These negotiations occurred all over the world, from the UK, US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East to India, the Philippines, Australia, China, Africa and Latin America.
"Over time, I was able to identify which patterns worked and those that didn’t. What I found so striking when I started working with business leaders is the sheer amount of cross-over between business and kidnap negotiations.
"I’ve realised negotiation is about influencing and persuading, and bringing about some cooperative collaboration — and the same skills apply whether you’re asking for a pay raise, asking teenagers to pick up wet towels off the floor or dealing with a hostage situation."
