ALL THINGS SCOTT TILLEMA

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 SWAT Crisis Negotiator. FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator. Expert in High-Stakes Communication.

Scott Tillema helps leaders and teams improve high-stakes communication - combining behavioral science with real-world lessons from his FBI and SWAT negotiation experience - so they can build trust, defuse tension, and lead critical conversations with clarity and confidence.

Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized FBI-trained hostage negotiator, SWAT crisis negotiator, and senior law enforcement leader with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes communication. He completed negotiation training through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and holds degrees in behavioral science and forensic psychology. His insights have reached global audiences through his TEDx talk on negotiation- viewed over 1 million times - and features in Newsweek and at Harvard events. Known for his calm authority and real-world insight, Scott helps organizations improve communication when it matters most, drawing from experience forged in crisis and sharpened in the nation’s top negotiation programs.

Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized FBI-trained hostage negotiator, SWAT crisis negotiator, and senior law enforcement leader with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes communication. Known for his calm authority and precision under pressure, Scott has become a trusted voice on how people communicate, make decisions, and lead when the stakes are highest.

He holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral science and an advanced degree in forensic psychology, and completed advanced negotiation training at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. He later returned to speak and teach at Harvard events. Scott rose through the ranks to become a lead negotiator on one of the country’s largest SWAT teams, where he navigated life-and-death scenarios that shaped his deep understanding of human behavior.

His expertise in emotional intelligence, decision-making, and conflict resolution has been trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, government agencies, and top professional associations. His TEDx talk on negotiation has surpassed 1 million views, and his insights have been featured in Newsweek and on the Power of Connection podcast by Perkins Coie.

Scott is widely recognized for his lived experience in high-stakes negotiation, applying what he knows when it matters most. His work continues to shape how communication is taught, practiced, and applied in environments where trust, clarity, and connection are critical.

Scott Tillema’s speaking fee is 10,000 for in-person keynotes, plus a flat 1,500 travel buyout.
Virtual presentation fee: 7,500
See Agency pays a 25% commission to speakers bureaus. 

 Chicago, IL

• Keynote speaking on high-stakes communication, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution
• Leadership training for executives, HR professionals, and frontline teams
• Workshops and talks on building trust, managing difficult conversations, and decision-making under pressure
• Communication strategies for crisis response, team performance, and emotionally intelligent leadership

"Communication and Connection: Insights from a Hostage Negotiator"

 From armed standoffs to executive boardrooms, FBI-trained hostage negotiator Scott Tillema brings clarity to communication when the stakes are high. In this powerful keynote, Scott shares real-life stories from the field and translates them into practical, repeatable strategies for leaders and teams. Audiences learn how to build trust quickly, defuse tension before it escalates, and lead hard conversations with confidence and calm.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognize and work with      emotion, because that’s where decisions are made
2. Apply active listening      techniques to earn trust and influence outcomes
3. Lead difficult conversations      with courage, empathy, and timing
4. Create cooperation      through autonomy and connection
5. Communicate with calm      clarity under pressure

Perfect for:
• HR and people leaders
• Culture and DEI-adjacent teams
• Law enforcement, healthcare, education
• Conflict-sensitive or leadership-focused audiences

"The Four Pillars of Negotiation: A Framework for Influence"

Scott reveals the essential four-pillar framework he’s used in high-stakes negotiations, from SWAT incidents to business deals. This session demystifies negotiation, giving leaders and teams a clear, actionable roadmap for influencing outcomes, resolving conflict, and building lasting agreements.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understand the four pillars that drive successful negotiations
2. Prepare for and approach negotiations with clarity and purpose
3. Use empathy and listening to uncover what really matters
4. Navigate obstacles and deadlocks with confidence
5. Achieve agreements that stand the test of time

Perfect for:

• Sales and procurement teams
• Executive leadership
• Cross-functional project teams
• Anyone seeking to improve influence and negotiation skills

"Leading Under Pressure: Decision-Making When It Matters Most"

Drawing on his SWAT and FBI experience, Scott teaches leaders how to stay calm, focused, and effective when the pressure is on. This keynote equips audiences with tools for clear thinking, rapid decision-making, and resilient leadership in high-stress situations.

Key Takeaways:

1. Recognize and manage stress responses in yourself and others
2. Apply proven frameworks for making tough decisions quickly
3. Communicate with clarity and authority under pressure
4. Build team trust and cohesion in challenging moments
5. Turn crisis into opportunity with resilient leadership

Perfect for:

• C-suite and senior leaders
• Crisis management teams
• Healthcare and emergency services
• Fast-paced or high-pressure industries

"Building Trust Fast: Lessons from Hostage Negotiation"

Trust is the foundation of every successful team and negotiation. Scott shares the principles and tactics he used to build trust in life-or-death situations and how these same skills apply to business, leadership, and everyday life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understand the science and psychology of trust
2. Build rapport quickly, even in tense or skeptical environments
3. Repair trust when it’s been broken
4. Foster a culture of transparency and accountability
5. Use trust as a lever for influence and collaboration

Perfect for:

• Leadership and management teams
• Sales and client-facing professionals
• Organizations facing change or transition
• Teams seeking stronger relationships and performance

• Chris Voss
• Dr. Robert Cialdini
• Admiral William H. McRaven
• Mark Jeffries
• Hannah Ubl

Audiences and organizers consistently praise Scott for turning high-stakes negotiation principles into clear, actionable strategies leaders can use immediately. His keynotes are known for:

• Practical frameworks for influence and decision-making
• Engaging, memorable storytelling from real-world crisis negotiation
• Tools for navigating difficult conversations and building trust
• A calm, relatable delivery that inspires confidence and action
• Customization for each audience’s unique challenges

“Thank you, Scott, delivering such an incredible message on connections! Your insights, energy, and expertise truly made an impact, and we’re grateful for the time you took to share your knowledge and experience with us!”

— CareFlite Team, 2025 Leadership Summit

“Thank you for a fabulous session!”

—  Mandy Forster, GE HealthCare (Australia, 2025)

“I expected great stories, which I got. What I hadn't quite expected was Scott's ability to translate his wealth of knowledge and experience into practical and applicable models we can use in business and in life.”

— Gordan Stoddart, Co-Founder, The Recruitment Network

“Meaningful and engaging. Scott had our audience’s attention within the first minute. The positive impact of his keynote was seen through the remainder of the conference.”
— Kelley Collins, Director of Communications & Event Coordinator

“We invited Scott Tillema to speak in Texas for our 2023 conference, and I highly recommend him as the keynote speaker to any CIT conference across America. If you want your keynote to be memorable, Scott is your speaker.”

— Charles Heasley, Vice President, Texas CIT Conference

“Having worked in sales for decades, I know Scott’s life-saving processes that work under the gun also work in boardrooms, car lots, and classrooms. Scott brings real-world processes and techniques that produce results.”
— Clay Schroff, Director, Aspen Project

“Scott Tillema is one of the absolute best speakers I have worked with in my many years of event planning for my organization! From the very first contact he was helpful, always going beyond our expectations, and is just such a professional at what he does.”
— Amy P., Board Member and Event Planner 

• The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators (TEDxNaperville)
• The Power of Connection: Hostage Negotiation Lessons for Everyday Influence With Scott Tillema (Perkins Coie Podcast)
• 4 Principles of Influence from a Hostage Negotiator | Scott Tillema (The Art of Charm Podcast)
• 'I'm an FBI Trained Former Hostage Negotiator' - Newsweek
• Lt. Scott Tillema, FBI Trained Hostage Negotiator - Crisis Communication in Business (Scott D. Clary      Podcast)
• Unleashed E69: Scott Tillema - Navigating Difficult Conversations
• How to Negotiate Effectively in Crisis (Honest HR Podcast, SHRM)
• Scott Tillema on applying crisis negotiations to business (YouTube)