Chris White

Chris White Speaking Topics

• Use Hostage Negotiation Skills in Everyday Life to Resolve Conflict, Influence Others and Master Persuasion

  Hostage negotiators are often thrown into high-stakes situations where the other party holds all the power. Yet, through skill, strategy, and empathy, they manage to turn the tide—even when lives are on the line.

  What if you could apply those same powerful techniques in your everyday life?

  This session introduces life-saving communication strategies that go far beyond crisis situations. These tools can transform the way you handle conflict, build trust, and influence outcomes in professional, personal, and family settings.

  In this session, you will:

  • Discover why people often fail to truly listen—and how to become an exceptional listener.
  • Learn to demonstrate empathy while suspending judgment to build connection and trust.
  • Identify your own “listening blocks” and develop techniques to overcome them.
  • Master the “Staircase of Influence,” a step-by-step approach to guiding conversations toward positive outcomes.

  These are not just negotiation tactics -- they are human connection strategies that can reshape the way you lead, resolve conflict, and inspire others.

• Modern Piracy and Maritime Kidnapping - Understand the Lifecycle of a Piracy Event

  Piracy is far from a relic of the past -- it remains a real and dangerous threat on today’s high seas. From the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea to the busy waters of Southeast Asia, modern pirates continue to target the maritime industry through calculated acts of kidnapping and extortion. While the days of gold doubloons are long gone, today’s pirates pursue something just as valuable: cash.

  The human impact of maritime kidnapping is devastating. Hostages endure unimaginable stress, families are left in turmoil, and companies face intense financial and reputational strain. Navigating these crises requires expertise, coordination, and above all, sensitivity.

  This session offers a comprehensive look into managing piracy events -- guiding all involved toward a safe resolution and, ultimately, the reunification of families.

  Topics Covered in This Session:

  • Pirate tactics and attack patterns
  • Company and family responses during a crisis
  • Understanding threats and structuring negotiations
  • The role of silence and secrecy in hostage situations
  • Ransom demands and effective negotiation strategies
  • Post-event debriefing and psychological support
  • Reuniting survivors with their loved ones

  While most companies will never face such a traumatic event, those operating in high-risk regions must be prepared. This session aims to equip attendees with critical knowledge and practical tools to manage a piracy incident -- and potentially save lives.

Mental Fitness for Leaders: Creating Psychological Safety

The nature of leadership has transformed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many teams working remotely—often without ever meeting in person—and anxiety levels on the rise, leaders are navigating new challenges in maintaining connection, trust, and productivity.

Modern leaders must ensure their colleagues feel supported, developed, and empowered—even when interactions occur primarily through digital platforms. Today, mental fitness and psychological safety are essential priorities, in and out of the workplace.

Explore the challenges and the opportunities to foster psychological safety through:

• Promoting Responsibility and Ownership: Encouraging team members to take initiative and accountability in a safe environment.
• Challenging Stigma Around Psychological Wellbeing: Normalizing mental health conversations and encouraging openness.
• Building Individual and Collective Resilience: Strengthening the capacity of individuals and teams to bounce back from adversity.
• Spotting Emerging Issues: Identifying and addressing concerns before they escalate.
• Connecting People to Support: Signposting internal and external resources for mental health and wellbeing.

When your team understands your message and experiences genuine psychological safety, performance, collaboration, and innovation naturally follow.

Tales and Experiences from a Hostage Negotiator

With over 25 years of negotiating in crisis situations across the globe, Chris White has gathered a collection of stories -- some heartbreaking, others humorous, and many deeply profound. Each one has shaped who he is, both professionally and personally. And since he continues to respond to crises, the learning never really stops.

In sharing these experiences, Chris hopes to offer more than just stories. You may find insights, techniques, or perspectives that can be useful in everyday life -- though he sincerely hopes you're never faced with the kinds of situations he's encountered. Chris invites you to step into this world with him. He hopes you find it thought-provoking, enlightening, and perhaps even inspiring.