Too many of us self-silence and hold ourselves back at work. We let doubts and insecurities disqualify us and dictate what we do. We don’t speak up to ask for the opportunities we want or the support we need. We don’t express our thoughts, needs or aspirations. It’s like we’re living our lives on mute, and it’s costing us a lot more than we realize.
What if it didn’t have to be that way? By tapping into the power of curiosity, we can find the clarity we need to get unstuck and move forward in our lives and at work with greater confidence and courage. The result? Greater fulfillment, impact, and alignment personally and professionally and a brave, bold UNMUTED life that makes us feel energized, inspired, and alive.
With her vibrant energy and authentic and engaging style, Rachel creates space for reflection and transformation and facilitates conversations that lead to meaningful change. She empowers people to shift from passive to purposeful, from judgment to curiosity, and from doubt and fear to courage and confidence — so that they can show up with greater influence and impact at work and in the world.
For nearly 20 years, she’s helped leaders and organizations elevate character, curiosity, and courage. As a trained facilitator and professional speaker with a background in workplace culture, health, and human behavior, Rachel brings a unique perspective and set of skills to catalyze both introspective insight and meaningful connection that lead to lasting transformation.
Recognized by Smart Meetings as a 2023 Best of Stage Speaker, Forbes as a Next1000 honoree, Workforce Magazine as a 40 Under 40 Game Changer, and the #1 Health Promotion Professional in the U.S. by the Wellness Council of America, Rachel’s refreshing perspective has helped her stand out as a leader in her field. Rachel has served clients ranging from 20 to 60,000 employees, including organizations like Citizens Bank, Sherwin-Williams, UnitedHealthcare, and the Federal Aviation Administration. She is a course instructor for Simon Sinek’s virtual classroom.
In 2023. Rachel became a TEDx speaker and started releasing original, message-driven music. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is the host of the biweekly livestream show, Unmute Yourself, which has featured guests like Daniel Pink, Rick Hanson and Kelly McGonigal.
Enjoy Scott’s favorite conference breakout talk, where audiences will learn the principles of bonding used by crisis negotiators in life or death conversations. By applying these same techniques, your team will more skillfully recognize and value diverse perspectives. Difficult conversations become more manageable and conflict is redefined. Tactics on how to use communication to effectively connect with others are offered. Creating a culture of connection within your organization is the most important change successful businesses can make and this session provides the roadmap to get there.
You’ll hear stories from SWAT hostage negotiation to how Scott’s dog was brought into his family. Attendees routinely provide feedback that this session is their favorite talk of the conferences they attend.
Are you ready to raise your level of communication and connection and learn how you can make some immediate changes from the take aways in this talk? Let’s bring “Communication and Connection” to your team!
Scott is an internationally recognized crisis negotiator, advisor, trainer and keynote speaker. He is known and respected for his experience negotiating in highly charged situations, with high stakes and when the situation requires sensitivity to the human element. Clients, audiences and students alike, find Scott’s teachings, insightful, inspiring and pragmatic.
Scott worked as a hostage/crisis negotiator with one of the largest regional SWAT teams in the United States for many years before moving into the role of a negotiations speaker and trainer. He has over 20 years of law enforcement experience and retired from a Chicago area police department in 2023 at the rank of Lieutenant. He was trained by in negotiation by the FBI and has studied at the Harvard University Program on Negotiation, at IMD Business School, and he continues to receive training from the world’s top negotiators.
Scott is a prolific trainer within the negotiation field and travels the country and around the world speaking to a wide variety of audiences. He has taught negotiations at Harvard University, for the FBI, and has keynoted for companies such as Microsoft and Bosch. In 2016, he was invited to give a TEDx talk titled “The Secrets of Hostage Negotiators”, which has received over 1 million views. 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 Partner and co-founder with the Negotiations Collective.