Scott Tillema is a FBI-trained hostage negotiator and professional speaker who teaches leaders how to communicate with calm, clarity, and emotional intelligence—especially under pressure. With over two decades of law enforcement and negotiation experience, Scott served as a SWAT-trained crisis negotiator for one of the largest police departments in the country. He’s known for bringing...
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Scott Tillema is a FBI-trained hostage negotiator and professional speaker who teaches leaders how to communicate with calm, clarity, and emotional intelligence—especially under pressure. With over two decades of law enforcement and negotiation experience, Scott served as a SWAT-trained crisis negotiator for one of the largest police departments in the country.
He’s known for bringing tactical, high-stakes communication tools to everyday leadership challenges, helping executives, HR professionals, and teams build trust, defuse tension, and lead difficult conversations with confidence.
Scott’s signature keynotes deliver powerful stories from the front lines of negotiation, backed by data from Harvard and Chicago Booth on emotional decision-making. His message resonates with audiences across industries—from corporate leadership and culture teams to education, healthcare, and law enforcement.
With a rare blend of real-world experience, humor, and practical wisdom, Scott equips leaders to listen better, ask smarter questions, and creates meaningful change through courageous communication.
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Speaker Programs
Communication and Connection: Insights from a Hostage Negotiator
Scott Tillema brings real-world hostage negotiation strategy into everyday leadership. He shows audiences how to build trust fast, reduce tension before it escalates, and lead hard conversations with clarity and confidence. This keynote gives leaders ...more
Scott Tillema brings real-world hostage negotiation strategy into everyday leadership. He shows audiences how to build trust fast, reduce tension before it escalates, and lead hard conversations with clarity and confidence. This keynote gives leaders practical, repeatable tools for communicating when stakes are high and emotions run strong. ...less
The Four Pillars of Negotiation: A Framework for Influence
Scott reveals the negotiation framework he used in high-stakes environments—from SWAT callouts to business deals. He breaks down the four pillars that drive successful influence and shows leaders how to uncover what really matters, move ...more
Scott reveals the negotiation framework he used in high-stakes environments—from SWAT callouts to business deals. He breaks down the four pillars that drive successful influence and shows leaders how to uncover what really matters, move through obstacles, and create agreements that last. ...less
Leading Under Pressure: Decision-Making When It Matters Most
Drawing from SWAT and FBI training, Scott equips leaders to stay calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure moments. This keynote gives practical tools for rapid decision-making, clear thinking, and resilient leadership when stress is at ...more
Drawing from SWAT and FBI training, Scott equips leaders to stay calm, focused, and decisive in high-pressure moments. This keynote gives practical tools for rapid decision-making, clear thinking, and resilient leadership when stress is at its peak. ...less
Building Trust Fast: Lessons from Hostage Negotiation
Trust drives every successful team, relationship, and negotiation. Scott shows how elite negotiators build or repair trust quickly—even in life-or-death situations—and how the same principles strengthen business, leadership, and everyday interactions. ...more
Trust drives every successful team, relationship, and negotiation. Scott shows how elite negotiators build or repair trust quickly—even in life-or-death situations—and how the same principles strengthen business, leadership, and everyday interactions. ...less
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