Pathways to Agreement With Professor Daniel Druckman Evergreen Podcasts 53:10

Welcome to the Connected Leadership podcast with Andy Lopata. In this episode, Andy’s guest is Professor Daniel Druckman, a distinguished expert in negotiation, conflict management, and international affairs. Daniel Druckman is Professor Emeritus at George Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government and an Honorary Professor at Macquarie University in Sydney and at the University of Queensland in Brisbane Australia. His work focuses on negotiation, nationalism, group identity and conflict resolution among other topics. He is the recipient of five lifetime achievement awards and his most recent books, published this year, are ‘Negotiation, Identify, and Justice: Pathways to Agreement’ and “When Peacekeeping Missions Collide: Balancing Multiple Roles in Peace Operations.

Andy starts the podcast by asking Daniel to share insights into his unique career path, transitioning from experimental social psychology to macro-level political science. Daniel recounts three significant consulting assignments, illustrating the complexity of negotiations involving topics like renewing military bases with Spain, managing alliances between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and contributing to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) negotiations with the Soviet Union.

Andy and Professor Druckman discuss the concept of turning points in negotiations, exploring the factors that precipitate departures and the subsequent consequences. They look at the importance of flexibility in negotiations, where Professor Druckman emphasises the need for adaptability and training to navigate unpredictable situations successfully.

The episode touches on the psychological aspects of negotiations, including the constructive use of anger and the significance of open communication. Professor Druckman shares valuable exercises to foster mutual understanding and build rapport between negotiating parties.

Reflecting on the current state of political polarisation, the discussion highlights challenges in maintaining civil discourse and finding common ground in today’s divisive climate. Professor Druckman acknowledges the need for creative solutions to address these issues.

The multifaceted realm of negotiation, global diplomacy, and conflict resolution is explored. Professor Druckman shares his experiences negotiating on a global scale, emphasising the impact of diplomatic and working cultures.

The conversation examines the nuances of nationalism and patriotism, shedding light on their roles in conflict resolution and collective identity. Professor Druckman emphasises the importance of transitioning from a nationalist stance to a more cooperative and inclusive patriotic stance.

Andy and Daniel also talk about the significance of joint community activities in fostering reconciliation. The challenge of sustaining peace when conflicts involve deeply entrenched identities is highlighted and the complexities of identity issues in conflict resolution are explored.

This episode looks into the intricacies of negotiation, conflict resolution, and global affairs, offering valuable insights and practical takeaways for both personal and professional contexts.

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Andy Lopata Author, Podcast Host and Speaker on Professional Relationships Strategy

Andy Lopata is a specialist speaker on professional relationships, mentoring, networking, and social media strategy. He is a firm believer that professional relationships underpin our success in business, our roles, and our careers. The right relationships with the right people can lead to new business opportunities, investment, collaborative working, innovation, and career progress. We just need to be comfortable approaching those relationships strategically, without making people feel ‘networked’ by us.

Andy has worked in the field of networking and professional relationships for 25 years, working with global giants such as Paypal, GSK, AstraZeneca, Wella, HSBC, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, among many others during that time. He has also worked with leading universities including NYU, Duke University, and Oxford University’s Said Business School.

A regular blogger for Psychology Today, Andy has been quoted in The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as many other national and regional newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has written or co-authored six books on networking and professional relationships, with his sixth book, "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," being published in Spring 2024. He is also the host of The Connected Leadership Podcast and has interviewed globally recognized names in business, academia, sports, and entertainment for the show.

Andy has been inducted into the PSAE Hall of Fame – the Professional Speaking Association Award of Excellence, which was held by only 21 other speakers at the time it was presented. He is a Fellow and a former President of the Fellows’ Community of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA), a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and the Meetings Industry Association.