BETH FISHER-YOSHIDA, PH.D., CCS, is a global expert and educator in intercultural negotiation and communication. She’s the program director of Columbia University’s Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, a negotiation consultant for the United Nations, and the CEO of the consulting agency Fisher Yoshida International. She works in the U.S. and worldwide, conducting workshops on leadership, culture, workplace conflict, and negotiation, and boasts a client list that includes Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits, military and security forces, governments, NGOs, and educational institutions. Her new book, New Story, New Power: A Woman’s Guide to Negotiation (Bold Story Press; January 23, 2023), helps women of all ages make successful negotiations a reality. Learn more at bethfisheryoshida.com
She works in the U.S. and globally, conducting workshops on leadership, culture, workplace conflict and negotiation. Her clients include fortune 100, the UN, non-profit sector, military, government, NGOs, and universities.
Beth began working at Columbia University in 1997 and full-time in 2002. She has directed the MS program in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution for the past 15 years. Her practice, writing and applied research are in three main areas.
One is in negotiation, particularly women and negotiation. She has collected research and experience coaching many professional women in the workplace and put it together in a new, practical book, New Stories, New Power: A Woman’s Guide to Negotiation. Her work needs to be practical because she started as a practitioner before moving on the continuum to being a scholar-practitioner. When Beth learns something new she always asks, “How can I use that?”
The second area of focus is workplace conflict. She has worked with groups that just want to do what they do better and with groups that are really toxic creating an unhealthy work environment. Starting with a confidential needs assessment she tries to answer the question, “What’s really going on here?” so they can co-create interventions on different levels. This could involve workshops, coaching, systemic change.
The third area is a focus on youth leadership, especially peacebuilding and transitioning out of conflict. Most of her work has been in Colombia working with youth and community leaders. She has had the good fortune to meet and work with an amazing group of very talented and aspirational leaders over the years. Many of them use the arts as a means of expression, social entrepreneurship, and sustainability. One of the ways in which Beth thinks she can add value here is writing to amplify their voices and provide opportunities for their advancement.
The threads from her earlier interests, travels, and studies have all woven together to create who she is today. When Beth looks back, it seems that it was all planned. However, not all of it was. Her MO was, if it was fun and interesting, she’s in. And here she is.