Scott Tillema
Transform high-stakes communication with Scott Tillema, speaker and FBI-trained hostage negotiator. Scott works with business leaders to master crisis negotiation and effective influence strategies, delivering practical insights featured in his million-view TEDx talk and sought by global organizations.
Chicago, United States
Enquire Now
Send us your event details
.svg){kind=icon}
Scott’s journey into crisis negotiation began in 2007, when he received specialized training from the FBI in hostage and crisis management. Later, he served as a lead negotiator with one of the largest regional SWAT teams in the U.S., regularly facing emotionally charged, complex scenarios that demanded exceptional focus and empathy. Alongside his FBI training, Scott has refined his negotiation skills through Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation and at the IMD Business School, building a foundation of expertise that has shaped his approach to influencing and guiding difficult discussions.
In addition to his practical experience, Scott holds a master’s degree in psychology and a bachelor’s in behavioural science, lending a strong theoretical backbone to his understanding of human behaviour and interaction. His insights gained international attention through his TEDx talk, “The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators,” which has amassed over a million views and remains widely referenced in discussions on communication and influence.
Today, Scott speaks to diverse audiences about the principles of negotiation that have the power to reshape relationships and achieve meaningful outcomes, both in business and beyond. As founder of Negotiation Excellence, LLC, he collaborates with organisations worldwide, teaching professionals how to leverage negotiation tactics for effective leadership and impactful communication. Based outside Chicago, Scott is also an avid musician and a proud Wisconsin native, who finds joy in sharing his message with audiences across the globe.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Scott Tillema shares insights from his experience as a SWAT hostage negotiator to tackle one of today’s greatest challenges: disconnection. Drawing from intense, personal encounters with individuals in crisis, Scott reveals how reconnecting with others can transform lives. His compelling journey explores the profound need for human connection and offers audiences a blueprint for fostering meaningful relationships in a disconnected world, illustrating how even the smallest efforts can lead to powerful change.
Scott Tillema examines how leaders can harness the art of influence—an approach borrowed from hostage negotiation—to build stronger teams and improve business outcomes. By applying proven communication strategies, Scott shows how leaders can enhance loyalty, strengthen their team’s cohesion, and drive success. His practical and engaging insights provide attendees with tools to navigate difficult conversations and influence with confidence in any setting.
Scott Tillema offers practical tools for handling workplace conflict, especially when challenging personalities create friction. Drawing on his deep expertise in crisis negotiation, Scott demonstrates how to embrace conflict confidently and constructively. This engaging session empowers participants with techniques to manage disputes effectively, transforming conflict into opportunities for growth and success, both personally and professionally.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
.svg)
Book
.svg)
.svg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.