Entries by Ralf

A Negotiator’s View: The Zeigarnik Effect’s Hidden Leverage in Negotiation

Picture this: I’m hunched over my glowing office monitor, hours melting into revelations, caffeine-fueled and wide-eyed, diving into MIT’s “Mastering Negotiation and Influence” course. The maestro? Nice guy Mr. Jared Curhan: Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management, negotiation sage and a man who could probably talk & influence a shark into buying flippers.. In essence, his […]

Negotiation: “The Ultimate Risk Vaccine for a World on the Brink”

How Proactive Negotiation and Diplomacy Acts as Globalization’s Immune System, and Why We Need a Booster Shot now The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report reads like a dystopian blockbuster: AI-driven disinformation hijacks democracies, climate chaos redraws borders and geoeconomic fractures threaten to shatter supply chains. Anyhow, maybe beneath the doomscroll lies an underrated […]

A Chief Negotiator’s View: About The Trifecta of Trust

Trust lies at the heart of every successful negotiation, leadership decision and meaningful professional relationship. Its essence is not merely a passive expectation but a dynamic interplay of behaviors that inspire confidence, drive collaboration and cultivate mutual respect. Drawing from cutting-edge research and practical guides, including Keld Jensen’s innovative “Smartnership” approach with its focus on […]

A Chief Negotiator’s View: Dmitri Trenin on Ukraine’s Post-Conflict Path and Russia’s Strategy

Dmitri Vitalyevich Trenin, a distinguished Russian political analyst and former military officer, has significantly influenced Russian foreign policy discourse. Serving in the Soviet and Russian armed forces from 1972 to 1993, he held various positions, including liaison officer in Germany and participation in U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms negotiations in Geneva. Notably, he was the first non-NATO […]

About the recent Prisoner Swap and “Tactical Complexity” in Negotiations

On August 1, 2024, the U.S. and Russia conducted a complex prisoner swap in Ankara, Turkey, involving 16 individuals, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and convicted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov. This high-stakes negotiation also involved prisoners from Belarus and Russian spies held in Western countries. The swap highlighted several strategic challenges and the […]

The Path from Negotiation Failures to Strategic Peace Planning

New Strategic Peace Proposal: Transforming UKR/RUS Conflict into Opportunity This document presents a comprehensive analysis of the past UKR/RUS Turkey Negotiations incl. the final draft and innovative solutions to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. It begins with a detailed review of the Turkey Peace Talks, highlighting the complexities that led to their failure beside political reasons. […]

Key Attributes of a Conflict Situation and When to Use Each Conflict-Handling Mode Effectively

When navigating conflicts in any negotiation or diplomatic setting, choosing the right conflict-handling mode —competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, or accommodating —depends on Specific situational attributes rather than personal habits or preferences. Here are eight key attributes to guide your choice: The Eight Key Attributes of a Conflict Situation Based on these attributes, here’s when to […]

The Selenskyi Decree to Not Negotiate – A Negotiator’s View

The decree by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that Ukraine will not engage in peace talks with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin remains in power, has significant implications for the ongoing conflict and efforts towards peace. This stance, while highlighting Ukraine’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity, brings a range of negative consequences […]

From Destruction to Construction: A Negotiator’s Vision for Sustainable Development and Stability in Crimea

The Status Quo: A Zero-Sum Game The current geopolitical climate surrounding Crimea is entrenched in a zero-sum mentality, where one party’s gain is inevitably perceived as another’s loss. This antagonistic approach has perpetuated conflict, sustaining a relentless cycle of sanctions, military expenditures and territorial disputes. These actions have exacerbated tensions, leaving no room for meaningful […]