Order Out of Chaos

Shortlisted for The Business Book Awards and the Fingerprint Awards

The indispensable Sunday Times bestselling guide to succeeding in negotiations where failure is not an option, from one of the world's most experienced kidnap for ransom negotiators.

Scott Walker has probably one of the most difficult jobs in the world. When pirates have hijacked a ship, when a criminal gang has kidnapped someone, when an entire company's future is being held to ransom from a cyber-attack, Scott is the person who gets called in. He has successfully negotiated more than 300 such incidents using the principles in this book.

His methods, centred in empathy, active listening, trust-based influence and emotional control, will help you achieve the outcome you want. Regardless of whether you're an executive in a multi-national organisation, the owner of a small business, a local sports team coach or running the family household, you're negotiating every single day, whether you realise it or not.

Learn the skills Scott uses to resolve life or death kidnappings all over the world - from the Niger Delta, China and the Philippines to the Middle East, Europe and Latin America - and how to apply them to your own life, at work and at home.

Order Out of Chaos provides tools that cut straight to the most effective way of communicating, particularly in times of crisis, change and uncertainty.

What a brilliant book! Encouraging, practical, enjoyable, helpful. I'm left feeling determined to harness my inner red centre and to no longer be taken hostage by my own negative mindset -- Cathy Rentzenbrink
Scott has spent years honing his negotiation skills in some of the most high stress situations imaginable, times when people's lives are on the line. This book captures all his wisdom and shows you how to apply it to everyday life. It is a step-by-step masterclass in communication excellence -- Andy McNab
Scott Walker's Order Out of Chaos is a manual for navigating modern life. The lessons within hold the key to harmony and influence in business and relationships -- Colonel Tim Collins OBE

If you're looking for a book that will provide you with a toolbox of simple but effective hacks to improve your communication skills and achieve better, fairer outcomes at work and in life, look no further than Scott Walker's excellent Order Out of Chaos. Scott takes you behind the scenes of real-life hostage negotiations and shares with you the key lessons from his many years of experience in this high-risk area of law enforcement.

This book will help you achieve success in work and life, and ultimately become a better colleague, a better friend and a better parent

-- Iain Donnelly, former Special Branch detective, author and podcast host of Tango Juliet Foxtrot: Where did it go wrong for British policing?'
Order Out of Chaos is the go-to guide for 'the most important skill you will ever learn', and as one of the world's most experienced kidnap for ransom negotiators, Scott Walker's approach to negotiation is field-tested, intuitive and readily applicable, not only to save others but to also help us lead successful and fulfilled lives at work and home. -- Rasmus Hougaard, founder and Managing Partner, Potential Project
A compelling, practical overview of how to master your mind and influence outcomes -- Dr. Mark Atkinson, MBBS, founder of Psychological Fitness International and author of True Happiness
A highly informative and readable guide for anyone who wants to become a better communicator. Written by someone who really knows what they're talking about -- John Sutherland, Sunday Times bestselling author of Blue and The Siege
Order Out of Chaos is a handbook for life. An astonishing step-by-step guide on how to get the best from yourself and others. By drawing on his experiences in negotiating for people's lives, Walker's accessible style makes this book essential for anyone who is serious about communicating better for a happier, healthier and more meaningful life -- Graham Bartlett, Sunday Times bestselling author of Death Comes Knocking and Bad for Good
Order Out of Chaos is exactly what Scott brought to every case he was involved with. In this book he explains the techniques and tactics he used to achieve the best outcome for the victims and their families. Comprehensive and holistic, his approach is applicable to both the everyday and extraordinary, which makes it essential reading for anyone negotiating against the odds or just navigating ordinary life -- Tim Lambon, former director response, NYA International
Filled with tips and exercises to further the reader's understanding of themselves and others -- Emily Hough Crisis Response Journal
All of us have experience of letting our emotions or ego get the better of us; Walker has learned how to master his, in even the most volatile circumstances -- Elle Hunt Guardian
It's just the best book, five out of five -- Chris Evans
If you're ever feeling stressed, call Scott Walker. The hostage negotiator has, for over a decade, been the calm, reassuring, rational voice in terrifying, often life-or-death situations -- Kasia Delgado i News

Scott Walker is one of the world's most experienced kidnap for ransom negotiators, having helped resolve more than 300 cases and other similar crises such as piracy and cyber extortion attacks. Scott spent sixteen years as a Scotland Yard detective engaged in covert, counter-terrorism and kidnapping operations. He left the police in 2015 to support organisations, government departments and private individuals negotiating the release of hostages all over the world.

Scott uses his decades of experience to help individuals, teams and organisations develop a unique understanding of what makes people think, feel and act, specifically in times of adversity, conflict and uncertainty.

He regularly speaks at events globally and coaches executives at all levels of an organisation on how enhance their resilience, emotional intelligence and communication skills to improve their strategy and leadership. He also supports companies to build a resilient mindset culture and develop engaged, fulfilled, purpose-driven and productive teams.

His first book, Order Out of Chaos, was a Sunday Times bestseller.

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