In Chris Voss’ Masterclass course called “The Art of Negotiation“, he notes that “Everything in life is a negotiation [and] your life could be in a completely different place just by improving how you negotiate.”
It’s true. The average person takes part in several negotiations every single day without even realizing it, but if they had the right skills and techniques, they could come out on top more often than not. And over time, that could totally change the trajectory of one’s life.
As a former FBI lead hostage negotiator, to say Voss knows a thing or two about how to negotiate is a massive understatement. His Masterclass course is designed to teach you effective communication skills and strategies to help you get more of what you want every day.
In this Chris Voss Masterclass review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about his course, sharing my full thoughts on everything I like and dislike after taking the class. I’ll go over my experience taking the course and provide an in-depth, honest assessment of the content, production value, and overall value for money.
Overview Of Chris Voss Masterclass
Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation (Masterclass)
Learn the communication skills and strategies to start getting what you want out of life in this course taught by a former FBI lead hostage negotiator.
I was excited to take the “The Art of Negotiation” because it’s one of the most popular online courses on MasterClass. Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, and an expert in persuasive negotiation teaches it, leaning on his years of experience, knowledge, and strategies.
The course is divided into several topics. Chris Voss explains the different negotiation strategies which are supported by real-world examples from his own career. He also teaches useful analysis techniques that allow you to identify key players in any situation and get an edge over them during negotiations.
Voss’ course provides students with the academic understanding and practical skills they need to negotiate in many areas of life.
One of the critical concepts of the Chris Voss Masterclass is the cultivation of empathy. You’ll quickly see that the basis of almost every method Voss teaches is related to developing a keen awareness of the emotional ground of the other person.
In his course, Voss teaches various other skills in addition to utilizing empathy as a negotiation tactic.
- The neural underpinnings of negotiation
- Establishing a convincing voice tone and body language
- Interpreting the other person’s facial expressions and speaking patterns
- Identifying and leveraging the Black Swans to your advantage
In addition to theoretical instruction, the MasterClass also includes case studies, role-playing, and exercises.
Here’s a look at the lessons included in this course:
- Lesson 1: Tactical Empathy
- Lesson 2: Mirroring
- Lesson 3: Labeling
- Lesson 4: Exercise: Mirroring and Labeling
- Lesson 5: Mastering Delivery
- Lesson 6: Case Study: Chase Manhattan Bank Robbery
- Lesson 7: Body Language & Speech Patterns
- Lesson 8: Mock Negotiation: Teenager
- Lesson 9: Mock Negotiation: Rival
- Lesson 10: The Accusations Audit
- Lesson 11: Creating the Illusion of
- Lesson 12: Control The Value of “No”
- Lesson 13: Bending Reality
- Lesson 14: Bargaining
- Lesson 15: Mock Negotiation: Salary
- Lesson 16: Black Swans
- Lesson 17: Mock Negotiation: “60 Seconds or She Dies”
- Lesson 18: The Power of Negotiation
How Long is the Chris Voss Masterclass?
There are 18 video courses totaling more than 3 hours in length in Chris Voss’ MasterClass. Each lesson is usually around 10-15 minutes long.
At first glance, I was concerned that these lessons are pretty short. I quickly found, however, that each lecture was packed with constructive information that will leave an impact on your mindset. This microlearning approach has been shown to be more effective at aiding with knowledge retention than long, complex lectures.
A Closer Look at the Chris Voss Masterclass Curriculum
If you’re interested in behavioral psychology and emotional intelligence, this masterclass is a must-watch!
Chris Voss breaks down what negotiation is and how you can use it effectively in practically any aspect of your daily life.
Let’s take a closer look at the lessons and what you can expect to learn if you take this course.
1. Introduction To Negotiation
This is just a basic introductory lesson but it is pretty fascinating as Chris Voss informs students about how you are facing at least three to five negotiations every day, knowing and unknowingly.
He also discusses all the common misconceptions of negotiations in general and gradually dwells on the philosophical aspect of negotiation.
2. Reflecting & Responding
Chris talks about all the effective strategies to reply during a negotiation. He discusses emotional intelligence between two persons during a negotiation and how the neutralization of negative emotions should be taken away and replaced with a positive approach.
3. How To Deliver Words
In these lessons, you learn when and how to deliver words in a specific negotiation. Chris suggests some really brilliant ways to use multiple tones and easily influence the other speaker’s approach. This lesson also has a recording of an exclusive negotiation case study that I found to be very insightful for understanding how negotiation happens practically.
4. Noticing Body Language
Negotiation is not just presenting your point of view or reinforcing your opinions on others. It also involves the speech pattern and body language of the negotiator. Chris advises examining the truth before listening to the lie. He also recommends some technical questions you can ask if you are in a state of illusion with no control over the negotiation.
5. The Power Of “No”
Chris talks about all the times you are subjected to a response of “NO” in a negotiation. This is slightly connected to the lesson where he talks about “tactical empathy” in a situation. He tells his students to consider the other person’s perspective even if they disagree.
6. The Reality Of Negotiation
Chris talks about how negotiation works in reality. He discusses practical techniques to tackle cases you lose in simple ways like unplugging the fear battery and finishing the deal.
7. Mock Negotiation By The End
There is a cinematic-level role-play between a robber and a negotiator in Lesson 17.
8. Case Study On Bank Robbery
In this lecture, Chris Voss explains the complete method as he bargained with captors during a 1993 bank heist in Manhattan. Even authentic phone recordings of the whole negotiation as it happened are included in the lesson which is a pretty nice touch.
9. Salary Mock Negotiation
In this lecture, Chris Voss walks through a sample negotiation to teach how to approach the employer with empathy when requesting a pay raise. Chris advises you to put less emphasis on money and more on other qualitative factors. He argues it would be better to focus on non-monetary ways through which you can add value to your workplace. This tactic leaves a good impression on your employer.
10. Patterns Of Language & Body Language
In this lesson, Chris Voss discusses the significance of speech patterns and body language in negotiations. It’s frequently more essential to concentrate on how people say things rather than what they say.
Pros and Cons
With such a storied career as a negotiator, it’s not surprising that Voss is an excellent communicator and a fantastic teacher.
Voss does a great job at simplifying negotiation concepts and giving you actionable advice you can implement immediately.
All in all, the course does a fantastic job of delivering on its promise to teach viewers the power of being a skilled negotiator.
Of course, no class is perfect, so let’s breakdown some of the things I liked and didn’t like about the Chris Voss Masterclass.
PROS
- Live example training exercises
- A workbook is included for reference
- Simple, easy-to-implement techniques
- Actionable advice you can implement immediately
- Actual recordings of negotiations
- Well-structured course
- Voss is a naturally talented teacher
- Covers a variety of real-life scenarios
- High-quality videos with excellent production quality
- Engaging case studies
Although there are several incredible things about Chris Voss’s MasterClass, here are a few drawbacks.
CONS
- Some of the mock negotiations wrap up a little too neatly
- I wish the workbook was a little longer
How Much Does the Chris Voss Masterclass Cost?
Masterclass does not allow customers to buy individual courses. This means that you must purchase a MasterClass membership for an entire year to buy the Chris Voss MasterClass.
Masterclass’ yearly subscription starts at $120, or around $10 per month. With the membership, you will get unrestricted access to the platform’s extensive selection of more than 180 expert-produced classes from A-list celebrities like Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, Bill Clinton, Mariah Carey, and countless others.
MasterClass pricing is as follows:
- Individual–$120 per year (average $10 per month)
- Duo–$180 per year (average $15 per month)
- Family–$240 per year (average $20 per month)
How To Enroll
To enroll in Chris Voss’s MasterClass:
- Visit the Masterclass website.
- Look on the left side of the screen where it asks you to put in your email. Fill in a valid email address, and click “Get Started”.
- Complete the short questionnaire or skip it if you don’t want to.
- Choose the plan you want to sign up for.
- Enter your billing info to place your order.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll be all set to take Chris Voss’ Masterclass or any other course that’s on the platform.
Chris Voss MasterClass FAQ
How much is Chris Voss’ MasterClass?
Chris Voss’ MasterClass is part of the MasterClass membership, which costs $120 per year (average $10 per month).
Does Chris Voss actually teach the lessons?
Yes, he does! All of the lessons are taught by Voss himself. Some of the mock negotiations feature guest actors to help demonstrate his method.
What skills will I gain from taking the Chris Voss MasterClass?
You will learn a range of skills that will help you be a more effective communicator and negotiator in all aspects of your life.
How long is the Chris Voss MasterClass?
The Chris Voss Masterclass takes a little over 3 hours to complete.
Is Chris Voss’ MasterClass worth it?
Yes, I think so! The course provides some excellent tips to help you improve your communication and negotiation skills. Plus, it is taught by an expert in the field with extensive knowledge and experience. Ultimately, this course is worth it if you want to start getting what you want out of life.
Does MasterClass have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, they do. All MasterClass memberships come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the course, you can get a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Our MasterClass review has more info.
Can I watch the lessons on my mobile device?
Yes, all MasterClass courses are available to watch on both your desktop and mobile devices. You can also download them for offline viewing depending on the plan you sign up for.
My Final Thoughts on the Chris Voss Masterclass
All of Chris Voss’ strategies are based on his own experiences and knowledge of neuroscience. The lessons can be applied universally because of his use of common human nature.
These negotiating techniques may be used in all facets of your life, making the Chris Voss MasterClass so remarkable. With a tonne of examples and narratives, Voss deconstructs everything in a way that offers a pragmatic approach.
With the breakdown of various examples, negotiation case studies, and insightful tips throughout the course, I really think that Chris Voss’ MasterClass is a perfect negotiation learning kit that can benefit just about anybody because it’s applicable to so many areas of our lives. It’s one of the best MasterClass courses out there.
Have any questions about my Chris Voss MasterClass review? Comment below and let us know.
Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation (Masterclass)
Learn the communication skills and strategies to start getting what you want out of life in this course taught by a former FBI lead hostage negotiator.