From a Former FBI Hostage Negotiator

13Sep

I just finished reading "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss. Chris is a former FBI Hostage Negotiator. The book was recommended to me as part of understanding leadership and the sabotage that sometimes happens when we fear loss or change. I have to admit I had no idea what I would gain from the book but I figured it would be interesting. 

So what did I learn that is relevant to moving our church forward?

  • It starts with the universally applicable premise that people want to be understood and accepted.
  • Empathy is more important than psychology, counseling, and crisis intervention.
  • People find it easier just to stick with what they believe. These assumptions muck up our perception and show a flawed version of the situation.
  • Being right isn't the key to success, having the right mindset is.
  • Good negotiators identify the emotions in the room. They are not obstacles.
  • Utilize: "It seems like...", "It sounds like...", "It looks like..."
  • Empathy is a powerful mood enhancer.
  • "No" provides safety from the scariness of change. "No" can mean: 
    • I am not yet ready to agree
    • You are making me feel uncomfortable
    • I do not understand
    • I don't think we can afford it
    • I want something else
    • I need more information or
    • I want to talk it over with someone else.
  • You can turn their "no" reasons into questions
  • No is not a failure. It opens the path forward. Opens the discussion up. A chance to articulate what someone wants.
  • Get out of the habit of pushing for an immediate "yes"
  • Saying "No" makes the speaker feel safe, secure and in control.
  • Find out what someone's passion is and let them grow that passion. You will gain their trust.
  • Creative solutions are almost always preceded by some degree of risk, annoyance, confusion, and conflict.
  • Decision-making is governed by emotion, not logic.
  •  Using calibrated open-ended questions takes the aggression out of a confrontation. "perhaps." "maybe," "I think," and "It seems."
  • Avoid "Why" questions as they come across as harsh.

Leadership
Posted by Keith Vessell

Keith is an active clergy member of the United Methodist Church and a licensed social worker. He is also certified in Project Management by the State of Missouri. These tools come together such that Keith can provide a unique experience for leading a congregation.

Keith is a natural leader who knows the right questions and the right time to listen. Keith has a passion for the marginalized in our society. Loving without boundaries and to those that make us uncomfortable is something you will continually hear from him. Keith holds God's grace at the top of his theology. It overcomes all things. His pronouns are He/His. 

Keith and his wife Molly, also a United Methodist Pastor, live in Marshall where they are serving in ministry, corralling their pets and making their children’s eyes roll. When not working, Keith enjoys keeping up with the latest music releases and rooting for Cardinal Baseball. Sorry KC fans. 

He loves reading of all types, church books, mysteries, and literature. He also loves cooking. Pastor Keith is continuing to expand his knowledge, decompressing with some fiction and/or baking. If you ever wish to contribute to that cause feel free to check out his Amazon wish list

Most of all, Keith wants to build relationships. He wants to get to know people beyond the "hello in the hallway."

  

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