At the very end of March, 2025 , the British Council Lithuania extended an invitation to institutional stakeholders, the educational community, and "People to People" partners to take part in the training titled "Leadership, Listening, and Negotiations in Challenging Situations: Scotland Yard's Experience." This event was designed to enhance essential communication skills in high-pressure situations.
The main objective of the training was to strengthen participants' listening skills by teaching them how to better understand the motivations, arguments, and positions of others. The focus was also on effectively presenting one's own ideas and proposals with persuasion, while improving practical communication and negotiation skills in challenging scenarios. These skills are not only applicable in professional settings but can also be seamlessly integrated into personal life, making them valuable in various contexts.
The training was led by Richard Mullender, a seasoned negotiator from the UK’s Scotland Yard, renowned for his role in critical hostage negotiations. Alongside him was Katie Bleach, a communication strategist with a wealth of experience. Both Mullender and Bleach are founders of The Listening Institute in London, an organization that has provided specialized training for prestigious institutions such as Cambridge University, IBM, LinkedIn, the World Food Programme, and Amazon, among others. Their expertise in communication strategies has made a significant impact on organisations worldwide.
