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All Things Negotiation · Nov 20, 2025 · 49 min

David Rubenstein: Carlyle Co-Founder on Negotiation Lessons from Wall Street to Washington

In this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an insider's perspective on political dynamics, U.S. presidencies, and nonprofit leadership as Rubenstein shares stories from his distinguished career. Whether in business, politics, or personal relationships, find out how persistence, integrity, and bipartisanship are key to success. 00:00 Introduction: The Power of Persuasion 01:00 Building Relationships: Insights from David Rubenstein 01:38 Developing an Outgoing Personality 03:34 Lessons from Ted Sorenson 04:47 The Role of Persistence in Fundraising 08:17 Recruiting and Integrity at Carlisle 11:36 Leadership Transitions at Carlisle 14:36 Current Political Climate and Bipartisanship 21:07 International Relations and Allies 23:06 Presidential Power and Persuasion 25:45 Trump's Popularity in the Middle East 26:52 Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy 28:08 Challenges in Leading Nonprofit Organizations 32:19 The Role of Presidents in Negotiation 33:05 Evaluating Presidential Effectiveness 38:48 Obama's Struggles with Bipartisanship 40:39 Supreme Court Confirmations and Politics 42:03 Perspectives on Reagan and Bush 45:19 Biden's Negotiation Challenges 46:27 US-China Relations 47:52 The Importance of Negotiation Skills 50:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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show notes

In this insightful episode you will learn about the power of persuasion and negotiation from David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group. Dive into his extensive experience in relationship-building, fundraising, and leadership. Discover Rubenstein's methods for becoming an effective communicator and the significance of self-deprecating humor and active listening in negotiations. Gain an insider's perspective on political dynamics, U.S. presidencies, and nonprofit leadership as Rubenstein shares stories from his distinguished career. Whether in business, politics, or personal relationships, find out how persistence, integrity, and bipartisanship are key to success.


00:00 Introduction: The Power of Persuasion

01:00 Building Relationships: Insights from David Rubenstein

01:38 Developing an Outgoing Personality

03:34 Lessons from Ted Sorenson

04:47 The Role of Persistence in Fundraising

08:17 Recruiting and Integrity at Carlisle

11:36 Leadership Transitions at Carlisle

14:36 Current Political Climate and Bipartisanship

21:07 International Relations and Allies

23:06 Presidential Power and Persuasion

25:45 Trump's Popularity in the Middle East

26:52 Reflecting on Jimmy Carter's Legacy

28:08 Challenges in Leading Nonprofit Organizations

32:19 The Role of Presidents in Negotiation

33:05 Evaluating Presidential Effectiveness

38:48 Obama's Struggles with Bipartisanship

40:39 Supreme Court Confirmations and Politics

42:03 Perspectives on Reagan and Bush

45:19 Biden's Negotiation Challenges

46:27 US-China Relations

47:52 The Importance of Negotiation Skills

50:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts