Hostage negotiators stress the importance of discussing the “drill”—goals, ground rules, and operating principles—with their team before beginning talks with a hostage taker.

Such negotiation teams are likely to commit to working together as slowly as needed to resolve a standoff. This type of agreement can serve to head off sudden actions from team members. It also helps the group present a united front if outsiders, such as police chiefs and politicians, grow impatient and try to speed up the process.

When organizing your own team negotiations, be sure to take a moment to discuss ground rules and common objectives. Such conversations will save time in the long run by promoting team unity and efficiency.