Tactical empathy

Derek GauntFormer law-enforcement officer and hostage-negotiation team commander, Black Swan Group coach and author of Fight Less, Win More

• Gaunt revises the maxim about explaining, saying the problem is explaining before the other side has explained and given permission.

  “The reality is if you're explaining too early, you're losing. What does too early mean? Before you've let them explain and before you've been given permission by them”

  Mick Unplugged: Derek Gaunt: Fight Less, Win More Through Tactical Empathy (Oct 1, 2026) · Listen from 17:14

• Gaunt says reciprocation is among the most powerful aspects of tactical empathy, as people feel obligated to return the favor.

  “That's probably one of the most powerful things aspects of tactical empathy is reciprocation. People feel obligated to return the favor to you”

  Mick Unplugged: Derek Gaunt: Fight Less, Win More Through Tactical Empathy (Oct 1, 2026) · Listen from 10:23

• Gaunt argues that global conflicts stem from one side refusing to acknowledge, not agree with, the other side's perspective.

  “One side refusing to articulate their recognition of another side's perspective”

  Mick Unplugged: Derek Gaunt: Fight Less, Win More Through Tactical Empathy (Oct 1, 2026) · Listen from 5:32