IDAEXPO+ Plenary Session
Reconnecting Humanity
Our world is facing tremendous challenges and at the top of the list is disconnection. This talk is a journey through the life and stories of a SWAT hostage negotiator, and how the exposure to individuals in crisis has lead him to turn his life’s work to bringing the concept of connection to those who most need to hear it and experience that transformation. Attendees will leave with the inspiration to take action and find connection in their lives.
Scott Tillema
Scott Tillema is an internationally recognized crisis negotiator, keynote speaker, advisor and trainer. He is known and respected for his experience negotiating in emotionally charged situations, with high stakes and when the situation requires sensitivity to the human element.
Scott has over 20 years of municipal law enforcement experience in the Chicago area. In 2007, he was trained by the FBI in hostage and crisis negotiation and worked as a negotiator with one of the largest regional SWAT teams in the United States for many years.
Scott holds a master’s degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and has received negotiation training at Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation, at IMD Business School and he continues to receive training from the world’s top hostage negotiators.
In 2016, he was invited to give a TEDx talk titled “The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators”, which has received over 1 million views. Scott is a recognized leader in the field of negotiation, communication, influence, and conflict resolution. His visibility as a speaker and educator through TEDx and other venues has reached global status.
Scott currently resides in the Chicago area and is a co-founder and Partner with The Negotiations Collective, an international negotiation and conflict resolution training firm.