What happens when you try to silence a whistleblower? The whistles get louder.
This week on S4N, Gene digs into the explosive story behind Careless People, Sarah Wynn-Williams’s courageous exposé of her years behind the scenes at Facebook – plus the high-stakes negotiations, ethical dilemmas, and intense resistance she faced from one of the world’s most powerful companies.
Drawing from the most eye-opening moments in Wynn-Williams’s account, Gene explores three essential negotiation lessons: First, the power of patience – what it means to stay in the game and how it opens doors others would close. Second, the art of policing your tongue – why what you don’t say can be as important as what you do, and how careless words can derail even the most promising talks. And third, the critical need to reflect on your own values – just because you can make a deal doesn’t mean you should.
Gene brings these points to life with cautionary tales of boardroom blunders, cultural missteps, and high-wire negotiation gambits straight from the front lines of Big Tech. Whether you negotiate in tech, business, or life, learn how values, preparation, and situational awareness shape every outcome. Plus: why supporting independent bookstores is more vital than ever in an age of information suppression.
Remember: negotiation is life.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams
- “Meet Sarah Wynn-Williams, Facebook’s Highest-Ranking Whistleblower,” a March 18, 2025 Free Press interview
- “FULL INTERVIEW: Ex-Facebook executive's first-hand dealings with Mark Zuckerberg | 60 Minutes,” a March 31, 2025 feature piece by 60 Minutes Australia
- “#6 – Too Much "I" In Team: Why A Diverse Negotiation Team Matters”, the April 8, 2024 episode of S4N
- Sleepy Dog Books, Mt. Pleasant, MI
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