By: Alexander Stoletov

Behavioral Science Meets Open Source Intelligence: Advancing Negotiation Practices with Dr. Stan Rosenberg

Negotiations are often perceived as a battlefield where the sharpest swords prevail. However, the true art of negotiation is more akin to skillful sailing—where understanding the open sea, the timing of the tides, and the momentum of natural forces can guide you toward favorable outcome, believes Dr. Stan Rosenberg, a former UN consultant in behavioral analysis and negotiation strategy, and the author of “Understanding People is like SEX, but BETTER.”

At a young age, Rosenberg lived in several countries, including Israel, the USA, Russia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. In time he got interested in different cultures and learned human behavior.

Political Strategy and Business Acumen

In 2011, Stan Rosenberg began his career as a lawyer’s assistant, building a foundation of lawsuit and case research for seasoned attorneys. Just a year later, armed with dual degrees in law and psychology, he stepped into the courtroom as a lawyer. His role was representing government offices in complex real estate disputes involving city and commercial entities.

From 2012 to 2018, Rosenberg transitioned into academia, where he imparted his knowledge of political psychology, government and law theory, political science, behavioral analysis, and negotiation strategies.

He conducted forensic interviews with over 1000 individuals from 50 cultures across 25 countries. Extensive travels and interviews were driven by his desire to gain a deeper understanding of human psychology.

In 2016, he participated in political campaigns as an executive consultant, consulted several politicians around the world on how to create narratives that resonate with people’s emotions and thoughts. The same year, Rosenberg received his Ph.D. and became a philosophical doctor in the fields of Political Psychology, Behavior Science, and International Relations.

Rosenberg’s academic career spanned prestigious universities in Europe and the Middle East, shaping the minds of future leaders and negotiators. During this time, he also advised politicians across the region, enhancing their campaign engagement through his expert insights and strategies.

The Fair Play of Business

At some point, Stan Rosenberg found himself increasingly drawn to the world of business rather than politics. While politics is often mired in the pursuit of power, significance, and the less savory aspects of human nature, business presents a different kind of challenge.

“Business is like a game with clear rules and a straightforward goal: profit,” he reflected. “This pursuit felt more honest to me”.

The allure of creating value and driving tangible results in a competitive environment was a refreshing contrast to the often opaque and ego-driven landscape of politics. This realization marked a shift in Rosenberg’s career, leading him to channel his expertise in behavioral analysis and negotiation strategy in the business arena.

“At that moment I understood that I wanted to share my skills and was ready to teach people to use them in business. Traditional methods focus on the overt moves, but a deeper, more sophisticated approach, incorporating behavioral analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and digital footprint analysis, reveals the concealed nuances that can tip the balance in your favor”, shares Dr. Rosenberg.

The Nonverbal Intelligence Advantage

Until about 20 years ago, the emotional aspects of negotiation were largely overlooked by researchers, – highlights Dr. Rosenberg. The primary focus of negotiation scholarship was on strategy and tactics—how parties could identify and evaluate alternatives, leverage power, and manage the sequence of offers and counteroffers. Emotional dynamics, such as how feelings can affect conflict resolution, agreement formation, and value creation, were not given much attention.

Over the past decade, researchers have started focusing on how specific emotions—like anger, sadness, disappointment, anxiety, envy, excitement, and regret—affect negotiators’ behavior. They’ve studied the impact of simply feeling these emotions versus expressing them through words or actions.

“This new research is very practical. We can learn to regulate our emotions and improve how we manage them. We also have some control over expressing our feelings, and there are strategies to either hide or highlight our emotions when it benefits the negotiation”, says Rosenberg.

“The ability to read people can significantly influence the outcome of business negotiations, a fact confirmed by multiple studies,” he says. “A study by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School found that negotiators who apply psychological insights can increase their chances of achieving a favorable result by up to 30%​. Additionally, research from Harvard Business School highlights that understanding body language and nonverbal cues can enhance negotiation success rates by 20%​”.

“This new research is quite practical. We can partially learn to regulate our emotions, still our control over expressing our feelings is limited,” adds Rosenberg.

Reading Hidden Signs

Understanding and interpreting nonverbal cues can significantly enhance your negotiation strategy. Those fleeting, involuntary facial expressions, can reveal true emotions that words might conceal. Dr. Stan Rosenberg emphasizes, “Microexpressions are windows into a person’s true feelings. Recognizing them can give you a strategic edge in negotiations. For example, imagine you’re in a high-stakes negotiation with a potential business partner. As you present your proposal, you notice a fleeting microexpression of surprise followed by a slight furrowing of the brows—classic signs of skepticism.

Recognizing these cues, you might pause and ask, ‘I sense there might be some concerns with this part of the proposal. Can we address those now?’ This approach not only shows attentiveness but also builds trust by acknowledging their unspoken reservations. Consequently, this can lead to a more open dialogue, where concerns are addressed early, preventing misunderstandings later on”.

Body language congruence is another critical aspect. According to Dr. Rosenberg, “Consistency between spoken words and physical gestures suggests sincerity. Discrepancies often reveal hidden resistance or deceit.” Observing gestures and postures provides insights into a person’s true feelings. For example, open gestures typically indicate honesty and openness, while closed postures might signal defensiveness. These small, often overlooked signals can provide crucial insights into the other party’s mindset, allowing for real-time adjustments in your approach.”

Additionally, eye contact and paralanguage—such as tone, pitch, and speech pace—play crucial roles in communication. “Maintaining appropriate eye contact builds trust and shows attentiveness, but it’s crucial to consider cultural differences,” advises Dr. Rosenberg.

Tuning into the Harmony of Human Interaction

Interestingly, Rosenberg’s keen sense for reading subtle cues isn’t limited to the boardroom. His background in music has deeply influenced his approach to negotiations. “I became interested in music at a young age, starting with the violin before moving on to the saxophone, guitar, and other instruments. Currently, I play various instruments and perform in live shows. Music has taught me a lot about tuning into the nuances of human interaction,” he explains.

Rosenberg draws a powerful parallel between music and negotiation. “In music, a note that doesn’t seem to fit the harmony can still sound right if played at the perfect moment. Similarly, in negotiations, an unexpected reaction or comment can be turned into an advantage if you understand the underlying context and timing. It’s all about being in tune with the other person, just as musicians must be in harmony with each other.”

Unseen Narratives and Digital Footprints

Integrating these behavioral skills with open-source intelligence (OSINT) and digital footprint analysis can further amplify these effects, believes Dr Rosenberg. For instance, companies utilizing data-driven strategies, including OSINT, see a 23% higher rate of negotiation success compared to those that do not, according to a report by McKinsey & Company​. These compelling statistics underscore the transformative potential of combining psychological acumen with strategic intelligence in business negotiations.

A survey by CareerBuilder found that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 54% of them have found content that caused them not to hire a candidate​​. Similarly, a study published in the International Journal of Information Management revealed that analyzing social media behavior can predict job performance and personality traits with significant accuracy​.

“Understanding the digital footprint of your negotiation counterpart can reveal invaluable insights”, says Dr Rosenberg. This process involves researching online presence through platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, personal websites, and blogs. The objective is to identify patterns in communication style, values, interests, and potential vulnerabilities.

Case Study: Tailoring the Pitch to Align with Investor Values

“One of the most impactful consultancy experiences I’ve had involved a team aiming to secure a substantial investment from a potential client,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “They approached me with the critical task of analyzing how to pitch their service, which had a high monetary value and potential for significant future investment.”

Rosenberg explains, “We found numerous interviews with the investor, which offered deep insights into his value system and personal interests. Through our analysis, we discovered that family values and child development projects were of paramount importance to him. He often emphasized the significance of these themes in his interviews. Additionally, he strongly believed in the dynamic startup culture of North America, considering this region the hub of innovation and financial growth. The investor also led a highly active lifestyle, always seeking new emotional and experiential stimuli.”

“Armed with this information, we meticulously tailored the pitch to resonate with these values,” Rosenberg continues. “We crafted narratives that highlighted family involvement and child development projects, aligning with his deep-rooted family values. We emphasized the potential for significant growth by positioning the project within the vibrant startup ecosystem of America, reflecting his belief in the region’s dynamism. Furthermore, we incorporated elements that showcased how the project could contribute to an active and engaging lifestyle, providing continuous excitement and new experiences.”

Rosenberg believes that their pitch wasn’t merely informative; it was designed to take the investor on an emotional journey. “We started with stories that highlighted the project’s alignment with his values, building trust and establishing a personal connection. Motivational stories followed, inspiring confidence in the project’s success,” he adds.

“The pitch was structured to evoke a range of emotions, ensuring each of the investor’s core values was acknowledged and leveraged,” Rosenberg concludes. “This strategy created a compelling and relatable presentation, leading to a swift and successful deal closure.”

Reflect on Outcomes and Strategies

Immediately after the negotiation, take time to reflect on the outcomes. Did the negotiation meet your goals? Analyze the strategies that led to success or failure. Understanding what worked and why can help in refining your approach for future negotiations. Dr. Rosenberg emphasizes, “Reflecting on the negotiation process helps identify the tactics that were most effective and those that need adjustment. Seek feedback from your team and, if possible, from the counterpart. Honest feedback can provide valuable perspectives that you might have overlooked. Use this information to refine your negotiation skills continually”.

Dr. Rosenberg advises on documenting the key insights and outcomes of the negotiation in a playbook. So this record can serve as a valuable resource for future negotiations.

“Negotiating can often feel like navigating uncharted waters. But you can harness the emotional and strategic currents in your negotiations. Stay attuned to the subtle shifts and adapt your sails to catch the best opportunities.”

Published by: Holy Minoza