Communicating in Crisis: Secrets of an FBI Hostage Negotiator

About this event

Discover powerful communication tools drawn from FBI crisis negotiation tactics that can help you navigate high-stakes conversations—at home, at work, or in challenging everyday interactions. This engaging presentation introduces the Behavioral Change Stairway Model, which emphasizes active listening, rapport-building, and influence to de-escalate conflict. Learn key techniques like tactical empathy, emotional labeling, mirroring, and strategic pausing to manage emotions, build trust, and foster open dialogue. With real-world examples from hostage negotiations, the speaker demonstrates how methods originally developed for life-or-death scenarios can be adapted to business, personal relationships, and conflict resolution. Whether you're leading a team, resolving family disagreements, or facing tense moments, these proven strategies will help you stay calm, connect meaningfully, and guide conversations toward positive outcomes. This event is also available virtually.

William S. “Scott” Owens is a retired FBI Special Agent with 27 years of experience in crisis and hostage negotiation, transnational crime, and counterterrorism. He is an adjunct professor who teaches crisis negotiation and criminal justice courses, bringing extensive real-world expertise to Florida Atlantic University.