In this episode of Empathy at the Table, I had the pleasure of sitting down with someone I deeply admire—Abasiama Idaresit—a pioneering tech entrepreneur and investor shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy.We spoke not just about deals and startups, but about something deeper: what it truly takes to negotiate and build in Africa’s fast-moving tech space. From understanding cultural context to staying grounded in values, Abbas brought a level of honesty and clarity that I think every leader needs to hear.We covered everything from his early journey founding Wild Fusion, to navigating investor relationships, to the inner transformation required to lead with empathy, not ego. This conversation is rich with insights on how to scale not just a business, but your mindset.✅ Key Takeaways:Why negotiation in Africa is relational first, transactional secondHow Abbas balances commercial success with community impactThe emotional discipline needed to lead through complexityLessons from bridging global capital with local cultureWhy self-awareness is the real competitive edge for foundersIf you care about building in Africa, investing with empathy, or becoming a more grounded leader, this episode is for you. Abbas doesn't just share strategy—he shares soul. You’ll leave with practical tools and deeper clarity about what it takes to thrive where stakes are high and relationships are everything.You can connect with Abasiama Idaresit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abasiama-idaresit-95785b5?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor sits down with Jeremy Pollack—martial artist, peace psychologist, and founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems—for a powerful conversation on the psychology of conflict and negotiation.From boardrooms to battlefields of the mind, Jeremy shares how emotional intelligence, nervous system awareness, and self-reflection shape how we resolve conflict—within ourselves and with others. This episode dives deep into how inner peace leads to better leadership, healthier relationships, and more productive conversations.Whether you're a team leader, founder, or just someone looking to get better at handling tough conversations, this is for you.If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, struggled with inner tension, or wanted to lead more mindfully—this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset to handle conflict with clarity, courage, and compassion.Connect with Jeremy Pollack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypollack1?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor sits down with Jeremy Pollack—martial artist, peace psychologist, and founder of Pollack Peacebuilding Systems—for a powerful conversation on the psychology of conflict and negotiation.From boardrooms to battlefields of the mind, Jeremy shares how emotional intelligence, nervous system awareness, and self-reflection shape how we resolve conflict—within ourselves and with others. This episode dives deep into how inner peace leads to better leadership, healthier relationships, and more productive conversations.Whether you're a team leader, founder, or just someone looking to get better at handling tough conversations, this is for you.If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, struggled with inner tension, or wanted to lead more mindfully—this episode will give you the tools, language, and mindset to handle conflict with clarity, courage, and compassion.Connect with Jeremy Pollack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremypollack1?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, I sit down with pricing strategist and VC Maciej Kraus to explore a powerful shift in our thinking about pricing: negotiating based on value, not cost.Too many entrepreneurs and service providers fall into the trap of benchmarking their prices against competitors. But what if that’s keeping you stuck, undercharging, or blending in with the crowd?Maciej shares real-world examples—from SaaS platforms to conference businesses—showing how pricing can become a differentiator instead of a checkbox. Whether you're launching a startup or offering high-value services, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and elevate how you present your worth.Key Takeaways:Why pricing is more about perceived value than cost or competitor rates.How to choose the right pricing metric to match how users experience your product.The hidden risks of benchmarking your prices—and what to do instead.How companies like Netflix, Salesforce, and Spotify used pricing models to disrupt industries.Why clear pricing conversations early in the sales process builds trust and reduces anxiety.If you've ever second-guessed your price, struggled to explain your value, or lost a client over "too expensive" feedback, this episode will give you a fresh lens and practical tips to reframe your strategy. It's time to stop playing defense on price—and start negotiating from strength.You connect with Maciej on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maciejkraus?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/

Negotiation isn’t just about striking deals and signing contracts—it’s about knowing when to push, when to collaborate, and how to turn tough conversations into lasting partnerships.In this episode, I sit down with Francesca Sabatucci, Procurement Director at Tetra Pak, who is redefining what procurement means in today’s business world. No longer just about cost-cutting, procurement is now a powerful force for driving growth, innovation, and sustainability.Francesca shares how she handles high-stakes negotiations, manages power imbalances, and builds strong supplier relationships that go beyond price. We also dive into the balancing act of cutting costs while delivering real customer value—a challenge that every business leader can relate to.This episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and hard-earned lessons from the front lines of procurement. Whether you're in sales, leadership, or supply chain, there's something here for you.You connect with Francesca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-sabatucci-71774916?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/

What if our adult negotiation skills are shaped by our earliest childhood experiences? In this special episode of "Empathy at the Table," I sit down with my sister, Ngozi Anagor, an early years educator, to explore how children as young as six months begin to develop negotiation and conflict resolution skills. We discuss the importance of parental involvement and the need for a transformative approach to education that encourages creativity and individuality in children. Ngozi shares her insights on teaching young children to navigate their emotions and relationships, emphasising the significance of observation and allowing children to learn through exploration. From heuristic play to emotional intelligence, she explains how these early lessons influence our communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills as adults.You connect with Ngozi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozi-anagor-a577ab9?To know more about Tony Anagorhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/Website: https://einegotiation.com/

In this episode of Empathy at the Table, host Tony Anagor sits down with Kirk Kinnell, a former head of the Organized Crime Unit and Counterterrorism Unit in Glasgow, Scotland, who brings over 30 years of high-stakes hostage negotiation experience to the corporate world. Kirk shares powerful insights on how the skills that save lives in hostage situations can also transform the way we negotiate in business and beyond.Kirk reveals how empathy and active listening can de-escalate conflicts and build trust in any negotiation. He introduces the "Magnificent Nine" layers of listening, a framework to uncover hidden needs and motivations, and explains why emotional intelligence is the key to handling high-pressure situations and difficult personalities. Through real-world examples—from talking down a suicidal individual on a bridge to negotiating multi-million-dollar corporate deals—Kirk demonstrates that the principles of negotiation remain the same, whether you’re in a life-or-death situation or a boardroom.Kirk also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and training to master the art of negotiation, sharing how his decades of experience have helped businesses save millions and build long-term partnerships. Whether you're a business leader, sales professional, or simply someone looking to improve your negotiation skills, this conversation will change the way you approach high-stakes conversations.

You can connect with Kirk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-kinnell-69a35b7b?To

know more about Tony Anagor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-anagor?

FOLLOW Emotionally Intelligent Negotiation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/einegotiation/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emotionally-intelligent-negotiation-ein/

Website: https://einegotiation.com/Have you seen this???

In this exciting episode of Empathy at the Table, I sit down with Debbie Goldstein, a Harvard educator and negotiation expert, to explore how empathy is reshaping the way we lead, connect, and negotiate.

In this engaging conversation, I sit down with John Zimmer, a former lawyer who transitioned from the courtroom to the stage to become a public speaking expert.

We explore topics including:

- The high-stakes world of litigation and negotiation

- How emotional intelligence impacts powerful communication

- Tips for managing nerves and thinking on your feet

- The importance of collaboration in writing and speaking

John shares valuable insights on listening, improvisation, and the significance of meaningful interactions in today’s fast-paced environment.

You can connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnszimmer or www.mannerofspeaking.org.