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Kwame Christian

Kwame Christian is a keynote speaker and negotiation expert who helps leaders turn difficult conversations into measurable results.

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I absolutely must recommend Kwame to EVERYONE who wants to improve their business acumen. I mean, he did help me take an extra 5K+ on the contract i negotiated the first day I met him.

Joe N.

Dallas Property Investors

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Why book Kwame Christian for your next event

Delivers practical negotiation frameworks that leaders can apply immediately to high-stakes conversations at work and beyond.
Combines legal expertise, psychology, and leadership insight to transform conflict into clarity, confidence, and results.
Trusted by Fortune 1000 organizations worldwide for keynotes that engage, challenge, and create lasting change.

Non-binding request for Kwame Christian

Negotiation expert, bestselling author, and founder of the American Negotiation Institute

Kwame Christian is one of the most prominent voices in modern negotiation, leadership, and conflict resolution. As a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, he helps organizations and individuals navigate difficult conversations with confidence and purpose. Kwame’s work bridges negotiation theory with real-world application, empowering leaders to achieve meaningful outcomes while strengthening relationships. From global stages to boardrooms, his talks are known for clarity, energy, and immediately usable tools.

Kwame Christian – Keynote Speaker on Negotiation and Conflict

Kwame Christian is a globally recognized keynote speaker and negotiation expert with a unique ability to make complex conversations feel accessible and actionable. As the founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI), he leads a global consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations apply the foundations of negotiation to any difficult conversation in life or business. His expertise spans negotiation, leadership, DEI, sales, and conflict resolution, always with a focus on achieving measurable results without sacrificing relationships.

Under Kwame’s leadership, ANI has coached and trained Fortune 500 companies on using negotiation as a strategic advantage. His approach is practical, human-centered, and grounded in psychology, law, and real-world experience. Audiences value his direct style, engaging delivery, and the way he reframes conflict as an opportunity for growth.

Book Kwame Christian for Your Event

Organizations that book Kwame Christian for their event gain more than inspiration. They gain tools. Kwame has delivered keynotes and workshops for Fortune 1000 and strategic clients including Johnson & Johnson, Target, NASA, Apple, Intel, Honda, Owens Corning, and Workday, Inc. His sessions are tailored to leaders, sales teams, executives, and professionals who regularly face high-stakes conversations.

Whether addressing negotiation skills, leadership communication, or navigating sensitive workplace dynamics, Kwame equips audiences with frameworks they can apply immediately. His content resonates across industries and cultures, making him a strong fit for conferences, leadership summits, and internal company events worldwide.

The Compassionate Curiosity Framework™

Kwame Christian is the originator of the Compassionate Curiosity Framework™, a practical approach to handling difficult conversations with confidence and empathy. The framework helps individuals stay grounded under pressure, ask better questions, and create solutions that honor both results and relationships. This methodology is a cornerstone of his keynotes and workshops and has been applied by organizations seeking sustainable change in communication and collaboration.

By focusing on curiosity instead of confrontation, Kwame shows leaders how to de-escalate tension, uncover hidden interests, and reach agreements that last. The result is stronger leadership presence and more effective decision-making in moments that matter most.

Bestselling Author, TEDx Speaker, and Podcast Host

Kwame’s influence extends far beyond the stage. After the success of his viral TEDx Talk, Finding Confidence in Conflict, which has received more than 409,000 views, he launched a successful career as a bestselling author and keynote speaker. His first bestseller, Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life, was released in 2020. In 2022, he followed up with How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond, further cementing his role as a trusted voice in challenging conversations.

He is also the host of the podcast Negotiate Anything, launched in 2016 and now the #1 negotiation podcast in the world. With more than five million downloads and listeners in over 180 countries, the show explores negotiation in everyday life and business, from salary discussions and car buying to managing conflict and raising funding for start-ups. Kwame is a regular contributor to Forbes, where he shares insights on negotiation, leadership, sales, and communication.

Legal Expertise and Academic Background

In addition to his work as a speaker and consultant, Kwame Christian is a practicing attorney. He works closely with businesses and their owners to secure better deals, solve complex problems, and overcome legal challenges. His legal background adds depth and credibility to his negotiation strategies, especially in high-risk and high-value situations.

Kwame has also taught negotiation, communication, and mediation advocacy at the university level, including at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, home to the top-ranked law school dispute resolution program in the country. He holds a law degree, a master’s degree in public policy, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The Ohio State University. His achievements include the John Glenn College Young Alumni Award and the Moritz College Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, making him the only person in the university’s history to receive alumni awards in consecutive years from both programs. He was also named among Columbus’ 40 Under 40 award recipients.

Beyond the Stage

Outside of his professional work, Kwame is a devoted family man and proud father of two boys. He is also an avid chess player, having played more than 20,000 games and earning a ranking in the 99th percentile on Chess.com. This passion for strategy and pattern recognition often finds its way into his insights on negotiation and decision-making.

Most recently, Kwame collaborated with Mike Lander on a new sales toolkit, Navigating B2B Sales, developed with the American Negotiation Institute. The project reflects his continued commitment to equipping professionals with practical tools for complex conversations.

Kwame Christian brings depth, credibility, and energy to every keynote. When you book Kwame Christian for your event, you book a speaker who challenges assumptions, builds confidence, and leaves audiences better prepared for the conversations that shape their success.

Customer Reviews

I absolutely must recommend Kwame to EVERYONE who wants to improve their business acumen. I mean, he did help me take an extra 5K+ on the contract i negotiated the first day I met him.

Joe N. Dallas Property Investors

Our team as a whole gained a great deal from this session, I can already see an increased level of confidence in their selling/negotiating.

Chelsea S. Lytx

One of the team used several of the negotiation skills learned that very same day which resulted in an increase in our fee percentage with this client which covered the cost of the training!

Casey H. Director of Recruiting, VIP

Kwame was absolutely excellent!! Well received and we look forward to working with him in the future.

Kellee Johnson & Johnson

Keynotes

Keynote by Kwame Christian:

Negotiation Strategies to Get the Best Deal

In this interactive workshop, negotiation expert Kwame Christian will teach participants the most powerful negotiation techniques to ensure they get the best deal possible. Participants will learn how to use the Compassionate Curiosity Framework ™ to negotiate effectively in both personal and professional settings.

Throughout the workshop, participants will develop skills in key areas such as building rapport, standing firm, managing information flow, and strategic preparation. They will also learn how to ask the right questions, create powerful alternatives, and use anchoring as a negotiation tool. Additionally, the workshop will cover developing relationships, building trust, dealing with difficult people, managing emotions, and setting boundaries.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of negotiation strategies and tactics, as well as the confidence and skills needed to succeed in both their personal and professional lives. The presentation is interactive and engaging, with plenty of opportunities for participants to practice the skills they have learned.

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Keynote by Kwame Christian:

Finding Confidence in Conflict

This presentation aims to help team members handle difficult conversations and negotiations using the Compassionate Curiosity Framework. Attendees will have the opportunity to improve their ability to understand the emotions and psychology behind a conflict, gain control over their emotions, build trust with colleagues and clients, and create an atmosphere that encourages healthy, honest communication.

Led by attorney and global expert on negotiation, Kwame Christian, this practical and engaging session will teach attendees psychology-based negotiation strategies to manage conversations. Participants will learn how to structure difficult conversations effectively, manage difficult emotions, and avoid common mistakes that can stifle healthy communication. This workshop will form the foundation for all negotiation training.

The learning objectives for this presentation include how to have critical conversations and create trust with colleagues and clients, how to create an atmosphere that encourages healthy, honest communication, how to avoid hostility and common mistakes that stifle healthy communication, and how to approach every interaction as an opportunity for future success.

Difficult conversations and negotiations can be a significant source of anxiety and stress, leading to breakdowns in communication and tension in relationships. However, by learning negotiation strategies and the Compassionate Curiosity Framework, attendees will gain the confidence and skills needed to handle difficult conversations and negotiations effectively. This presentation is ideal for team members who wish to improve their conflict management skills and build better relationships with their colleagues and clients.

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Keynote by Kwame Christian:

The Future of Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

As AI continues to advance, it creates new challenges and opportunities for professionals. To help you and your team thrive in this new age, negotiation expert and founder of the American Negotiation Institute, Kwame Christian, delivers a thought-provoking keynote presentation on the future of communication in the era of AI.

In his presentation, Kwame will share insights on how humans and AI can work together to enhance communication and the importance of investing in human-centric skills like empathy, negotiation, and conflict resolution to stay ahead of the curve. He will also explore new research on anthropocentric bias against artificial intelligence and how it suggests that there will always be a need for human skills and connection in the future. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts on negotiation and communication.

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Keynote by Kwame Christian:

How to Guide Your Team to Greater Success

This presentation is ideal for leaders who want to learn how to motivate diverse teams and effectively facilitate group dialogue. Led by negotiation expert Kwame Christian, attendees will learn the psychology behind group dynamics, how to coach for success in the modern workplace, and conflict resolution strategies.

The learning objectives include understanding group dynamics, facilitating inclusive discussions, coaching effectively, and creating a workplace culture where employees feel set-up for success. Leaders will also learn how to effectively advocate for themselves and their teams.

By the end of the presentation, attendees will have the skills and confidence to lead diverse teams, coach employees toward success in a dynamic work environment, and effectively handle conflicts. The presentation is interactive and engaging, with plenty of opportunities for participants to practice the skills they have learned.

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Keynote by Kwame Christian:

How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race (Sensitive Topics, DEI)

This presentation is designed to equip attendees with the necessary skills to have confident and equitable conversations about sensitive DEI topics, specifically around race. The learning objectives include understanding common barriers to conversations about race, learning key elements to structuring difficult conversations, effectively managing difficult emotions, and avoiding common mistakes that jeopardize inclusivity and cohesion.

Participants will learn to overcome their internal barriers to discussing DEI and work around others’ barriers to productive discussions. They will also learn to be strategic about the outcome they want and guide the conversation accordingly. The presentation will introduce the concept of “Compassionate Curiosity” to connect and persuade, as well as tackle some of the most common race-related conversations that come up in the workplace.

The presentation is inspired by negotiation expert Kwame Christian’s motto that the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. Participants will gain the confidence to talk about race and learn how to make a difference when they do. This presentation is suitable for anyone looking to create change for themselves or others, whether they are BIPOC or white allies seeking to support their coworkers or clients.

By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to identify their internal and external barriers to discussing race, structure difficult conversations effectively, manage their emotions and avoid common mistakes, and engage in productive discussions around race and other sensitive DEI topics. This presentation is for anyone who wants to turn their passion for change into persuasion and make a difference in their workplace or community.

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