Bruce Patton

Bruce Patton is an American author, corporate negotiator, and executive educator best known as a co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project. Graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Patton served as a lecturer on law at Harvard Law School for over two decades, helping institutionalize interest-based negotiation theory.

Alongside Roger Fisher and William Ury, Patton co-authored the timeless 1981 negotiation classic, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and remains the gold standard in conflict resolution.

Patton also co-founded Vantage Partners and co-authored the bestselling book Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. His work has transformed how business leaders, diplomats, and individuals handle high-stakes negotiations and delicate interpersonal communication.