He moves away from the "rational actor" theory (that people act logically) and leans into the reality that humans are emotional, irrational, and driven by a need for security. By the end of the 18 lessons, you don’t just learn how to negotiate a contract; you learn how to read a room.
Voss teaches students how to use "Calibrated Questions" (questions starting with How or What ) to force the other side to do the heavy lifting for you. Instead of saying, "I can't do that," you ask, "How am I supposed to do that?" This invites the other person to solve your problem for you. Is the MasterClass Worth It? MasterClass - Chris Voss - The Art of Negotiati...
MasterClass: Chris Voss – The Art of Negotiation In a world where we negotiate every day—whether asking for a raise, buying a car, or simply deciding who does the dishes—few people are better equipped to teach the craft than . As a former lead hostage negotiator for the FBI, Voss spent decades talking kidnappers and terrorists into peaceful resolutions. He moves away from the "rational actor" theory
The course takes its deeper insights from Voss’s book, Never Split the Difference . He introduces the concept of the —a piece of information that you don’t know exists, but if uncovered, changes everything. Instead of saying, "I can't do that," you
This is the act of naming an emotion or a situation. By saying, "It seems like you’re concerned about the budget," you acknowledge their feelings. If you’re right, they feel heard; if you’re wrong, they’ll correct you—either way, you get more information. The Power of "No"
This involves repeating the last three words (or the critical one to three words) of what someone just said. It sounds simple, but it creates a "connective tissue" that encourages the other person to elaborate without them feeling pressured.