The New York Times hails Holbrooke as a 'Master of impossible missions!' A diplomat with real-world corporate understanding, he defines the art of negotiation in both business and diplomatic settings. Holbrooke secured his reputation as the world's premier negotiator by arranging an unprecedented multi- party agreement bringing the U.S. back into good standing with the United Nations. He simultaneously persuaded UN members to reduce the U.S. share of dues and assessments, persuaded the U.S. Congress to release $582 million in unpaid UN assessments and enlisted the aid of Ted Turner to ante up the balance of UN dues. His latest feat brought Holbrooke a standing ovation at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee featuring applause from the UN's strongest congressional critic, Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC). Difficult assignments are nothing new to the man who was chief negotiator at the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia, and for which he received numerous awards, including five Nobel Peace Prize Nominations. His best-selling account of that historic negotiation, To End A War, was named one of the ten best books of 1998 by the New York Times. In addition to his long career in diplomatic service, Holbrooke's experience includes stints as vice chairman of CS First Boston and as managing director of Lehman Brothers, where he utilized his leadership and strategic planning expertise to guide their growth nationally and globally. He describes negotiating tactics and styles, giving invaluable insight into the use of teamwork, perseverance, bluff, bluster and preparation to achieve corporate and personal goals. Drawing on his experience with highly volatile (and arguably unsolvable) situations, he discusses managing a crisis through calm leadership and determination. Sharing behind-the-scenes stories of UN negotiations, Holbrooke enlightens audiences with the considerations that must be taken when guiding American strategic interests.
Richard Holbrooke