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Scott Tillema

FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator, SWAT Crisis Negotiator, TEDx Speaker

Speaking Fee: $16,500 i Fees vary by event type, travel, and appearance details.

Travels From: Chicago, IL, United States

Negotiations Business Communications Crisis Management FBI Team Building

FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator, SWAT Crisis Negotiator, and TEDx Speaker Scott Tillema helps audiences strengthen high-stakes communication, build trust, and lead difficult conversations with clarity.

Negotiations Business Communications Crisis Management Team Building FBI

Topics

Meet Scott Tillema

Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized hostage and crisis negotiator, senior law enforcement leader, and expert in high-stakes communication. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, he helps leaders and teams improve how they communicate under pressure, using practical lessons grounded in behavioral science, conflict resolution, and real-world negotiation.

His programs speak to organizations looking to build trust, defuse tension, and improve decision-making in critical moments. Scott Tillema is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Scott Tillema’s fees.

Want to book Scott Tillema for an event?

Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 to book Scott Tillema for a keynote speech, corporate event, leadership program, workshop, fireside chat, virtual appearance, or other private or professional event.

Our team will help confirm Scott Tillema’s availability, speaking fee, travel requirements, and fit for your audience. To start the booking process, please share your event date, location, audience size, event format, and the type of presentation you are looking for.

The Mollie Plotkin Group is a full-service keynote speaker agency and entertainment bureau that helps organizations secure keynote speakers, entertainers, athletes, celebrities, and thought leaders for corporate meetings, conferences, fundraisers, and special events.

Biography

High-Stakes Communication Expertise

Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized FBI-trained hostage negotiator, SWAT crisis negotiator, and senior law enforcement leader with more than 20 years of experience in high-stakes communication. He is known for his calm authority and precision under pressure, along with a practical understanding of how people communicate, make decisions, and respond when the stakes are highest.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and an advanced degree in forensic psychology. He also completed advanced negotiation training through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation and later returned to speak and teach at Harvard events. Scott rose through the ranks to become a lead negotiator on one of the country’s largest SWAT teams, where he handled life-and-death scenarios that shaped his understanding of human behavior.

Trusted Insight for Leaders and Teams

Scott’s expertise in emotional intelligence, decision-making, and conflict resolution has been trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, government agencies, and leading professional associations. His TEDx talk on negotiation has surpassed 1 million views, and his insights have been featured in Newsweek and on the Power of Connection podcast by Perkins Coie.

Today, Scott helps organizations improve communication when it matters most. His keynote presentations and workshops focus on high-stakes communication, emotionally intelligent leadership, conflict resolution, trust-building, difficult conversations, crisis response, and team performance.

How to Hire Scott Tillema

To hire Scott Tillema for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format, and program goals. Scott Tillema is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats, and virtual programs.

After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Scott Tillema’s availability, discuss the event details, and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Scott Tillema for your program.

Scott Tillema Booking Fee

The cost to book Scott Tillema depends on the event date, location, format, audience size, and scope of the appearance. Scott Tillema’s speaking fee starts at $16,500. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings, and virtual programs.

For the most accurate Scott Tillema booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing, and the best format for your event.

Speaking Topics & Programs

“Communication and Connection: Insights from a Hostage Negotiator”

From armed standoffs to executive boardrooms, FBI-trained hostage negotiator Scott Tillema brings clarity to communication when the stakes are high. In this powerful keynote, Scott shares real-life stories from the field and translates them into practical, repeatable strategies for leaders and teams. Audiences learn how to build trust quickly, defuse tension before it escalates, and lead hard conversations with confidence and calm.

Key Takeaways:

Recognize and work with emotion, because that’s where decisions are made
Apply active listening techniques to earn trust and influence outcomes
Lead difficult conversations with courage, empathy, and timing
Create cooperation through autonomy and connection
Communicate with calm clarity under pressure

Perfect for:
• HR and people leaders
• Culture and DEI-adjacent teams
• Law enforcement, healthcare, education
• Conflict-sensitive or leadership-focused audiences

“The Four Pillars of Negotiation: A Framework for Influence”

Scott reveals the essential four-pillar framework he’s used in high-stakes negotiations, from SWAT incidents to business deals. This session demystifies negotiation, giving leaders and teams a clear, actionable roadmap for influencing outcomes, resolving conflict, and building lasting agreements.

Key Takeaways:

Understand the four pillars that drive successful negotiations
Prepare for and approach negotiations with clarity and purpose
Use empathy and listening to uncover what really matters
Navigate obstacles and deadlocks with confidence
Achieve agreements that stand the test of time

Perfect for:

Sales and procurement teams
Executive leadership
Cross-functional project teams
Anyone seeking to improve influence and negotiation skills

“Leading Under Pressure: Decision-Making When It Matters Most”

Drawing on his SWAT and FBI experience, Scott teaches leaders how to stay calm, focused, and effective when the pressure is on. This keynote equips audiences with tools for clear thinking, rapid decision-making, and resilient leadership in high-stress situations.

Key Takeaways:

Recognize and manage stress responses in yourself and others
Apply proven frameworks for making tough decisions quickly
Communicate with clarity and authority under pressure
Build team trust and cohesion in challenging moments
Turn crisis into opportunity with resilient leadership

Perfect for:

C-suite and senior leaders
Crisis management teams
Healthcare and emergency services
Fast-paced or high-pressure industries

Featured Client Reviews for Scott Tillema

Scott Tillema is one of the absolute best speakers

I have worked with in my many years of event planning for my organization! From the very first contact he was helpful, always going beyond our expectations, and is just such a professional at what he does.

— Amy P., Board Member and Event Planner

Thank you for a fabulous session!

— Mandy Forster, GE HealthCare (Australia, 2025)

Meaningful and engaging.

Scott had our audience’s attention within the first minute. The positive impact of his keynote was seen through the remainder of the conference.

— Kelley Collins, Director of Communications & Event Coordinator

Thank you, Scott,

for delivering such an incredible message on connections! Your insights, energy, and expertise truly made an impact, and we’re grateful for the time you took to share your knowledge and experience with us!

— CareFlite Team, 2025 Leadership Summit