Chris Voss, a 24-year veteran of the FBI and one of the world’s foremost experts in negotiating skills, continues to make a significant impact through his consultancy firm, The Black Swan Group, and his widely acclaimed books. Known for his exceptional expertise in high-stakes negotiations, Voss has become a leading voice in the field, sharing his knowledge with top business schools and major media outlets.
An Esteemed Career in the FBI
Voss’s illustrious career began with his tenure in the FBI, where he served for 24 years. As a member of the New York City Joint Terrorism Task Force from 1986 to 2000, Voss played a crucial role in several high-profile cases. He was involved in monitoring the New York City landmark bomb plot and spent three years investigating the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Voss was also a key figure in the investigation of the 1996 TWA Flight 800 explosion.
In 1992, Voss received specialized hostage negotiation training at the FBI Academy. He then joined the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit, where he worked as the chief international hostage and kidnapping negotiator from 2003 to 2007. His experience includes leading negotiations in complex cases such as the Jill Carroll case in Iraq and the Steve Centanni case in the Gaza Strip. Over his career, Voss handled more than 150 international hostage cases, earning accolades such as the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement and the FBI Agents Association Award for Distinguished and Exemplary Service.
Transition to Education and Consulting
After retiring from the FBI in 2007, Voss founded The Black Swan Group, a consultancy that provides training and advises Fortune 500 companies on complex negotiations. His firm has become a go-to resource for businesses seeking to improve their negotiation strategies.
In addition to his consulting work, Voss is a distinguished educator. He has taught negotiation skills at numerous prestigious institutions, including the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Harvard University, MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Authoring Groundbreaking Books
Voss has also made a mark as an author. His 2016 book, Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, co-authored with journalist Tahl Raz, has become a seminal text in the field of negotiation. The book offers readers practical, real-world strategies drawn from Voss’s extensive experience in high-stakes negotiations.
His other works include The Full Fee Agent: How to Stack the Odds in Your Favor as a Real Estate Professional and Empathy and Understanding In Business, which further explore the application of negotiation techniques in various professional contexts.
Media Presence and Public Speaking
As a regular commentator on CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NPR, Voss continues to share his insights with a broad audience. He has been featured in prominent publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, Inc., Variety, and Time. In 2019, he expanded his reach by creating and narrating a MasterClass titled "The Art of Negotiation," which has been highly praised for its comprehensive and accessible approach to the subject.
Continuing to Influence and Inspire
Chris Voss remains a pivotal figure in the world of negotiation, combining his extensive experience, educational prowess, and engaging writing to influence and inspire professionals across various industries. His contributions to the field have not only shaped the way negotiations are conducted but also empowered individuals and organizations to achieve better outcomes through effective communication and strategic thinking.
For more information about the work of Chris Voss, please visit The Black Swan Group website.