Available to book
Scott Tillema
Communication
Negotiation
Behavioural Science
Transform high-stakes communication with Scott Tillema, speaker and FBI-trained hostage negotiator. Scott works with business leaders to master crisis negotiation and effective influence strategies, delivering practical insights featured in his million-view TEDx talk and sought by global organizations.
Educator
Psychology
Entrepreneur
Business Leader
TEDx
FBI
Intelligence Services
Scott Tillema is an incredibly talented communication expert, FBI-trained hostage negotiator, and founder of Negotiation Excellence, LLC. With over two decades of law enforcement experience in the Chicago area, Scott has become a prominent figure in the field of crisis negotiation, training thousands of professionals in how to handle high-stakes conversations. His work, which once centred on life-and-death situations, has evolved to focus on equipping leaders and business professionals with practical, effective communication strategies.
Scott’s journey into crisis negotiation began in 2007, when he received specialized training from the FBI in hostage and crisis management. Later, he served as a lead negotiator with one of the largest regional SWAT teams in the U.S., regularly facing emotionally charged, complex scenarios that demanded exceptional focus and empathy. Alongside his FBI training, Scott has refined his negotiation skills through Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation and at the IMD Business School, building a foundation of expertise that has shaped his approach to influencing and guiding difficult discussions.
In addition to his practical experience, Scott holds a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s in behavioural science, lending a strong theoretical backbone to his understanding of human behaviour and interaction. His insights gained international attention through his TEDx talk, “The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators,” which has amassed over a million views and remains widely referenced in discussions on communication and influence.
Today, Scott speaks to diverse audiences about the principles of negotiation that have the power to reshape relationships and achieve meaningful outcomes, both in business and beyond. As founder of Negotiation Excellence, LLC, he collaborates with organisations worldwide, teaching professionals how to leverage negotiation tactics for effective leadership and impactful communication. Based outside Chicago, Scott is also an avid musician and a proud Wisconsin native, who finds joy in sharing his message with audiences across the globe.
Topics, sessions and talks
Scott Tillema shares insights from his experience as a SWAT hostage negotiator to tackle one of today’s greatest challenges: disconnection. Drawing from intense, personal encounters with individuals in crisis, Scott reveals how reconnecting with others can transform lives. His compelling journey explores the profound need for human connection and offers audiences a blueprint for fostering meaningful relationships in a disconnected world, illustrating how even the smallest efforts can lead to powerful change.
Scott Tillema examines how leaders can harness the art of influence—an approach borrowed from hostage negotiation—to build stronger teams and improve business outcomes. By applying proven communication strategies, Scott shows how leaders can enhance loyalty, strengthen their team’s cohesion, and drive success. His practical and engaging insights provide attendees with tools to navigate difficult conversations and influence with confidence in any setting.
Scott Tillema offers practical tools for handling workplace conflict, especially when challenging personalities create friction. Drawing on his deep expertise in crisis negotiation, Scott demonstrates how to embrace conflict confidently and constructively. This engaging session empowers participants with techniques to manage disputes effectively, transforming conflict into opportunities for growth and success, both personally and professionally.
Book Scott Tillema to transform your team's communication and negotiation skills. With his unique insights from high-stakes hostage situations, he helps audiences master influential leadership and effective dialogue. His engaging style and proven techniques will inspire your team to achieve remarkable success in any business environment.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email scott.tillema@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Scott's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Scott Tillema draws on case studies from his career as a SWAT hostage negotiator to illustrate communication and negotiation principles, translating high-stakes crisis scenarios into practical frameworks for business and leadership contexts.
Scott Tillema speaks on human connection and disconnection, leadership influence through negotiation techniques, and workplace conflict resolution. He is an FBI-trained hostage negotiator and former SWAT lead negotiator whose TEDx talk "The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators" has exceeded one million views.
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