The choice of the ideal speaker for a conference on negotiation depends first and foremost on the specific objective of your event, and not solely on the topic at hand. Steve A. Tineo, Laurent COMBALBERT, Michael AGUILAR, Marwan Mery, and David HORNUS each offer a distinct approach, tailored to different needs. This guide does not establish a Top 5 ranking, but rather compares the various perspectives—strategy, management, operations, decision-making, human factors, among others—that these experts emphasize in their presentations. The table below will help you identify, for each one, the adopted perspective, the main objective targeted, as well as the preferred audience. This way, you can choose the most relevant speaker according to your expectations and the nature of your audience.
How to Decide Quickly
Identify the priority of your event, then follow the rule that applies.
- If you need to prepare your leaders to make decisions and negotiate in crisis or deadlock situations. →
Steve A. Tineo — for decision-making and negotiation under extreme 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 to sell and negotiate more effectively. →
Michael AGUILAR — to boost sales performance - If you are facing high-stakes, asymmetric, or crisis negotiations. →
Marwan Mery — to master negotiation in extreme contexts - If you are 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
| Speaker | Overview | Angle | Objective | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve A. Tineo Français | Angle TEDxRUPP by Prof. Steve Tineo "Who are the real superheroes?" Objective Decide and negotiate under extreme pressure Target Executive committees, leaders, strategic negotiation teams, high-stakes environments | TEDxRUPP by Prof. Steve Tineo "Who are the real superheroes?" | Decide and negotiate under extreme pressure | Executive committees, leaders, strategic negotiation teams, high-stakes environments |
| 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 |
| Marwan Mery Français | Angle Exceptional negotiations Objective Mastering negotiation in extreme contexts Target General management, negotiation managers, sectors under pressure, specialized workshops | Exceptional negotiations | Mastering negotiation in extreme contexts | General management, negotiation managers, sectors under pressure, specialized workshops |
| 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, COMEX, security managers, management seminars | He shares field experience in negotiating extreme situations (kidnappings, major crises). | Prepare for crisis management and high-pressure negotiation | Executives, COMEX, security managers, management seminars |
Angles and Specificities of Each Speaker
Angle: Prof. Steve Tineo’s TEDxRUPP talk "Who Are the Real Superheroes?"
For which audience / event: Executive committees, leaders, strategic negotiation teams, high-stakes environments
Choose if… Choose if you need to prepare your leaders to make decisions and negotiate in crisis or deadlock situations.
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 practical 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: Exceptional Negotiations
For which audience / event: General 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
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
FAQ
How do I choose a speaker suited to the technical level of my audience?
Determine whether your audience is beginner or experienced in negotiation. For example, Michael AGUILAR offers presentations accessible to everyone, while Laurent COMBALBERT can delve into more technical aspects for informed audiences.
Which speaker would be best for an interactive format or workshop?
If you want to prioritize interactivity, Marwan Mery is known for his practical and immersive workshops. Be sure to specify your expectations during the briefing to tailor the format of the conference.
How can I ensure the speaker meets the specific goal of my event?
Identify the main objective of your conference, such as conflict management or commercial negotiation. Steve A. Tineo, for instance, adapts his presentation according to your needs to maximize the impact on your audience.
Which speaker should I choose to raise broad awareness about negotiation?
To reach a wide audience, opt for a speaker like David HORNUS, who knows how to simplify concepts and capture the attention of both beginners and seasoned participants.
How can I quickly find a speaker available for my event?
You can use a specialized platform like Lespeakers, which offers a selection of negotiation speakers and makes it easy to connect based on your criteria and availability.
What’s next?
Once the angle is clarified, the simplest approach 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.