EP200 - How to Master Negotiating: Lessons from a Law Professor Shermin Kruse
In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Shermin Kruse—globally recognized negotiation consultant, law professor, author, and TEDx producer. Shermin has helped leaders, organizations, and individuals master the art of transformative empathy, complex negotiation, and authentic leadership in high-stakes environments.
They explore how to harness the power of stoic empathy to build trust and connection, even with unlikely allies or adversaries. Shermin shares lessons from her journey growing up under an oppressive regime, her rise in the legal and business world, and how vulnerability and authenticity can drive real influence.
Together, they dive into strategies for emotional regulation, avoiding empathy burnout, and why understanding both your own and others’ motivations is the ultimate leadership advantage. Shermin also offers actionable tools for leaders who want to foster stronger teams, negotiate effectively, and lead with both heart and strategy.
Meet Shermin Kruse
Shermin Kruse is an award-winning idea curator, global change-maker, complex- system negotiator, international business lawyer, speaker, and storyteller. Shermin has nearly two decades of experience working in competitive strategy and game theory applications, corporate and community advocacy, brand protection and augmentation, as well as dispute resolution for individuals, public-company boards of directors, international corporations, and Fortune 500 Companies. Shermin also has a decade of parallel experience producing thought-leadership events, including TEDx conferences and a network of salon series. As a professor, she teaches Negotiating with Tactical Empathy, Global Transactions, Cross-Border Deals, and Leadership at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Shermin is a mother of four, living in the heart of Chicago. Her personal journey from the war-torn streets of her native Tehran to the elite corporate boardrooms of the world informs her deep commitment to fostering empathy, control, justice, and global understanding.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
00:00 Introduction
02:15 Stoic empathy vs. Emotional empathy
09:21 Empathy born from survival
13:49 Is empathy a negotiation tactic?
19:37 How insecurity can make leaders seem strong but disconnected
25:07 Emotional regulation
29:46 Authenticity vs. professionalism
33:07 When appearance becomes protest
42:21 Why do we hide who we really are
48:53 Relationships evolving over time
55:29 Empathy or manipulation?
59:35 Why empathy needs to be in sync
1:03:04 Finding the balance between being an A-hole and a doormat
1:06:41 What can you learn from ‘Stoic Empathy’
Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:
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About the Tyler Dickerhoof Show Podcast
The Impact Driven Leader Podcast, hosted by Tyler Dickerhoof, is for Xillennial leaders who have felt alone and ill-equipped to lead in today's world. Through inspiring interviews with authors from around the world, Tyler uncovers how unique leadership strengths can empower others to achieve so much more, with real impact.
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