The choice of the ideal speaker for a conference on negotiation depends first and foremost on the objective you wish to achieve at your event, and not solely on the general theme being addressed. This guide compares the approaches of Steve A. Tineo, Laurent COMBALBERT, Michael AGUILAR, David HORNUS, and Marwan Mery, to help you identify whose perspective best matches your expectations. This is not a ranking of the top five speakers, but rather a comparison of their respective viewpoints: strategy, management, operations, decision-making, human dimension, etc. The table below details for each one their preferred angle, targeted objective, and intended audience. This way, you can make your choice with full knowledge of the facts.
How to Decide Quickly
Identify the priority of your event, then follow the corresponding rule.
- If you want to strengthen resilience and decision-making under stress in negotiation contexts. →
Steve A. Tineo — to develop performance under pressure - If you want to inspire your teams with practical tools from crisis management and special forces. →
Laurent COMBALBERT — to optimize collective crisis management - If you want to energize your sales teams with proven methods for selling and negotiating more effectively. →
Michael AGUILAR — to boost sales performance - If you’re looking to raise awareness about negotiation in crisis contexts or to develop discernment in critical situations. →
David HORNUS — to prepare for crisis management and negotiation under pressure - If you’re facing high-stakes, asymmetric, or crisis negotiations. →
Marwan Mery — to master negotiation in extreme contexts
| Speaker | Overview | Angle | Objective | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve A. Tineo Français | Angle TEDxRUPP by Prof. Steve Tineo "Who are the real superheroes?" Objective Develop performance under pressure Target Leaders, managers, teams in transformation, leadership seminars | TEDxRUPP by Prof. Steve Tineo "Who are the real superheroes?" | Develop performance under pressure | Leaders, managers, teams in transformation, leadership seminars |
| Laurent COMBALBERT Français | Angle High-intensity trust Objective Optimize collective crisis management Target Executive committees, project teams, company conventions, sectors exposed to risk | High-intensity trust | Optimize collective crisis management | Executive committees, project teams, company conventions, sectors exposed to risk |
| Michael AGUILAR Français | Angle It reveals the concrete techniques used by elite salespeople to succeed in every negotiation. Objective Boost commercial performance Target Sales teams, sales managers, sales force conventions | It reveals the concrete techniques used by elite salespeople to succeed in every negotiation. | Boost commercial performance | Sales teams, sales managers, sales force conventions |
| David HORNUS Français | Angle He shares field experience in negotiating extreme situations (kidnappings, major crises). Objective Prepare for crisis management and high-pressure negotiation Target Executives, Executive Committee, security managers, management seminars | He shares field experience in negotiating extreme situations (kidnappings, major crises). | Prepare for crisis management and high-pressure negotiation | Executives, Executive Committee, security managers, management seminars |
| Marwan Mery Français | Angle Exceptional negotiations Objective Mastering negotiation in extreme situations Target General management, negotiation managers, sectors under pressure, specialized workshops | Exceptional negotiations | Mastering negotiation in extreme situations | General management, negotiation managers, sectors under pressure, specialized workshops |
Angles and Specificities of Each Speaker
Angle: Prof. Steve Tineo’s TEDxRUPP “Who Are the Real Superheroes?”
For which audience / event: Executives, managers, teams undergoing transformation, leadership seminars
Choose if… Choose if you want to strengthen resilience and decision-making under stress in negotiation contexts.
Talk to watch: APTITUDE vs ATTITUDE: What Really Makes the Difference
Angle: Trust under high intensity
For which audience / event: Executive committees, project teams, corporate conventions, sectors exposed to risk
Choose if… Choose if you want to inspire your teams with concrete tools drawn from crisis management and special forces.
Conference to watch: Collective Agility
Angle: He reveals the concrete techniques used by elite salespeople to succeed in every negotiation.
For which audience / event: Sales teams, sales managers, sales force conventions
Choose if… Choose if you want to energize your sales teams with proven methods to sell and negotiate more effectively.
Conference to watch: THE SECRETS OF ELITE SALESPEOPLE
Angle: He shares real-world experience in negotiating extreme situations (kidnappings, major crises).
For which audience/event: Executives, executive committees, security managers, management seminars
Choose if… Choose if you want to raise awareness about negotiation in crisis contexts or develop sound judgment in critical situations.
Conference to watch: Negotiating is Communicating
Angle: Exceptional Negotiations
For which audience / event: Executive management, negotiation leaders, sectors under pressure, specialized workshops
Choose if… Choose if you are facing high-stakes, asymmetric, or crisis negotiations.
Conference to watch: Exceptional Negotiations
FAQ
How do I choose a speaker suited to the objective of my conference on negotiation?
First, define the main goal of your event: awareness, training, or inspiration. For example, Laurent COMBALBERT is renowned for his talks on crisis negotiation, while Michael AGUILAR addresses commercial negotiation and motivation.
Which speaker would be best suited for an audience of executives or senior managers?
For a decision-maker audience, prioritize a speaker with concrete and strategic experience, such as Marwan Mery, an expert in complex negotiation, or Steve A. Tineo, who specializes in negotiation in uncertain environments.
How can I adapt the format of the presentation based on the size of my event?
For a large audience, an inspiring keynote with David HORNUS can capture attention and deliver powerful messages. For a smaller group, opt for an interactive workshop or a discussion with the speaker to encourage participant engagement.
How do I assess the technical level required for the speaker according to my audience?
Analyze your audience’s level of knowledge on negotiation: for beginners, choose an educational speaker like Michael AGUILAR; for experts, a specialist such as Laurent COMBALBERT can delve into more complex cases.
What brief should I provide the speaker to ensure a tailor-made presentation?
Provide a detailed brief including the audience profile, expectations, event context, and key messages to convey. Lespeakers can support you in this process to tailor the presentation to your specific needs.
What’s next?
Once the angle is clarified, the simplest way is to formalize your brief (objective, audience, format, duration, constraints). We can help you match with the right speaker on negotiation.
For a detailed shortlist with biographies, also see our selection of speakers on negotiation.