Negotiation Styles and Their Impact

You can be brilliant. But if no one listens when you speak, it won’t matter. Every time you talk – you're being evaluated. In meetings. On calls. Even quick chats. People make snap judgments. Clear? Confident? Worth listening to? If not, they tune out. And when they tune out, so does your influence. Here’s how to speak so people actually listen: 1. Be concise ↳ Say less, make it count 🚫 “I just wanted to quickly touch on a few things…” ✅ “There are two things we need to fix today” 2. Speak slowly ↳ Slow is confident, fast is anxious 🚫 Rushing to get it all out ✅ Taking your time to be clear 3. Make eye contact ↳ Show presence, not pressure 🚫 Staring at your notes or screen ✅ Look at them when you say the key part 4. End with certainty ↳ Finish strong so people remember 🚫 “That’s kind of what I was thinking, I guess” ✅ “This is the right move. Let’s do it.” 5. Eliminate filler words ↳ Drop the “just”, “like”, and “kind of” 🚫 “I just feel like we kind of need to...” ✅ “We need to change how this works” 6. Pause after key points ↳ Give your words time to land 🚫 Talk nonstop with no room to think ✅ Say it. Pause. Let them absorb it. 7. Speak in plain language ↳ Drop the jargon, keep it human 🚫 “We should ideate on potential synergies” ✅ “Let’s figure out how to work better together” 8. Structure your thoughts ↳ Say things in a way people can follow 🚫 “We’re behind, and also the process changed, and…” ✅ “Here’s the issue. What caused it. And the fix.” 9. Start with your main point ↳ Say it first, don’t build up to it 🚫 “Let me give some background first…” ✅ “We're behind target. Here's the fix.” 10. Lower your voice for emphasis ↳ Quiet and low gets more attention than loud 🚫 Ending every sentence on a high note ✅ Dropping your tone when it matters 11. Use authoritative body language ↳ How you stand says as much as what you say 🚫 Slouching, shifting, closed arms ✅ Upright, still, open stance 12. Make it relevant to them, not just you ↳ Speak to what they care about 🚫 “I think this is a good idea” ✅ “This helps your team hit the target faster” Every word you say builds or breaks your credibility. Speak with intention, and others will take you seriously. What else would you add? Let me know in the comments. ♻️ Repost to help others speak with confidence 👉 Follow Lauren Murrell for more like this

I was interrupted so often, I almost stopped speaking. Every. Single. Meeting. As a young engineering manager, I lived this pattern: Start explaining a technical solution. Get interrupted mid-sentence. Watch as my peer completes my thought. Then presents it as his own brilliant idea. At first, I felt confused. Shocked. Then came the frustration. The anger. Watching my ideas get stolen in real-time, While trying to maintain composure in front of my team. Each interruption felt like an erasure. Of my expertise. Of my authority. Of my right to speak. The familiar sting of having your expertise hijacked. Your voice fragmented. Your contributions claimed by others. It wasn't just interruption. It was intellectual appropriation. Death by a thousand stolen sentences. I tried speaking faster. I tried speaking louder. I even tried pre-writing my points. Finally, I confronted him directly. This led to tension and defensive responses. Our working relationship was strained going forward. Mel Robbins' recent viral video sparked something in me. Because workplace interruptions aren't just about power. They're about presence. 🔥 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF INTERRUPTION: When someone interrupts you, they show: They care more about their thoughts than listening. They're focused on speaking, not understanding. The impact is clear: Lost ideas. Stolen momentum. Diminished voices. The technique Mel shared comes from Harvard Business Review research. 🔥 THE POWER MOVES TO RESPOND TO INTERRUPTIONS : 1️⃣ Keep Talking & Stay Calm → Don't stop when they interrupt → Stay confident and composed → This isn't about power, it's about respect 2️⃣ Slow Down (The Real Power Move) → Lower your voice slightly → Speak more deliberately → Command attention through calmness 3️⃣ Use Their Name + Set Clear Boundaries → "Mike, I'm going to finish my point" → "This is important for everyone to understand" → "I'll be glad to get your feedback after I share my perspective" 4️⃣ Bridge Back (Show Emotional Maturity) → When finished, acknowledge their attempt to contribute → "Mike, I know you were trying to add something earlier" → "I'd love to hear your thoughts now" 🔥 THE RESULTS THAT MATTER: ✅ Your expertise gets recognized, not recycled ✅ Meetings become more productive and focused ✅ Team dynamics shift from interruption to interaction ✅ Your presence strengthens naturally You're not being difficult. You're being professional. Your ideas deserve to be heard. Your thoughts deserve completion. Your voice deserves space. Don't let interruptions fragment your impact. 💭 Have you experienced this? How did you handle it? Mel Robbins Thank you, as always, for your incredible actionable insights Weekly career and leadership insights: https://lnkd.in/eciagfQn ♻️ Repost to help others reclaim their voice 👋 Follow Stephanie Hills, Ph.D. for leadership strategies that work

How I mastered negotiation before I knew what it was.   Growing up in a rough neighborhood taught me something school never did:   "How to handle conflict."   And not with my fists, but with words.   One of the most powerful tools I learned on my own was “𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴” emotions.   It’s a simple but effective strategy.    By naming the other person’s emotions, you can de-escalate tension and open the door to real communication.   Here’s how it worked for me:   𝟭. 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀:   When fights were about to break out, I’d say, “It seems like this is about territory, not us.”    Often, that was enough to shift the focus and avoid violence.    𝟮. 𝗔𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲:   During family arguments, I’d say, “It looks like you’re stressed about money, not what I did.”    That turned heated moments into calmer discussions.   𝟯. 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆:   We often felt targeted by police.    Instead of reacting, I’d label their concerns: “It seems like you’re worried about safety.”    That made them see me as cooperative, not a threat.   As I got older, I realized these skills weren’t just survival tactics.    They were 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀.   Here’s why 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 works:    - It helps build trust and opens up dialogue. - It shows you understand the other person’s feelings.   - It shifts the conversation from confrontation to collaboration.   Good labels typically take the form of specific phrases that avoid using first-person pronouns.     Start your sentences with phrases like:     - “It seems like…”   - “It looks like…”   - “You look like…”   For instance:   - "It seems like you're feeling overwhelmed with the current situation."   - "It looks like you're passionate about ensuring quality in the project."   - "You look like you're concerned about how this change will impact your team."   Avoid first-person pronouns in phrases such as:   - "What I'm hearing..." or  - "I think..."    Why? Using "I":   - Keeps focus on them not you - Makes them feel undervalued - Shows you don't have genuine interest in what they have to say.   By mastering the art of labelling, negotiators can create a more empathetic, open, and productive negotiation environment.    Not sure how to master this? DM me and let's have a chat. ----------------------------- Hi, I’m Scott Harrison and I help executive and leaders master negotiation & communication in high-pressure, high-stakes situations.  - ICF Coach and EQ-i Practitioner - 24 yrs | 19 countries | 150+ clients   - Negotiation | Conflict resolution | Closing deals 📩 DM me or book a discovery call (link in the Featured section)

Persuasion isn’t about being right. It’s about making others see value the way you do. Great leaders don’t force decisions - they inspire alignment. If you want to turn resistance into support, here are 8 proven strategies for mastering the art of persuasion: 1️⃣ Embrace Carnegie’s Way The timeless principles of influence: ↳ Show genuine interest in others. ↳ Avoid criticism - focus on solutions instead. ↳ Make people feel important. 2️⃣ Follow Monroe’s Sequence Use this 5-step method to persuade effectively: 1. Attention: Capture their interest immediately. 2. Need: Address their challenges. 3. Satisfaction: Provide a compelling solution. 4. Visualisation: Show them the outcome. 5. Action: Make the next step easy and clear. 3️⃣ Build a Trust Triangle Trust is built through: ↳ Promises: Keep your word. ↳ Expertise: Share your proven results. ↳ Authenticity: Show up as your real self. 4️⃣ Use the Mirror Method Create instant rapport by mirroring others’ energy, tone, and behaviour. People are naturally drawn to those who reflect their own style. 5️⃣ Master the Science of Influence Use 6 key triggers to build trust and influence: 1. Reciprocity: Give before you ask. 2. Scarcity: Highlight urgency and what’s at stake. 3. Authority: Let your expertise speak for itself. 4. Consistency: Align your message with shared values. 5. Liking: Build genuine rapport. 6. Social Proof: Show how others are already on board. 6️⃣ Develop a Network Strategy Organise your relationships into three tiers: ↳ Power 25: Your closest, high-impact connections. ↳ Key 150: Broader influential network. ↳ Outer Network: The wider circle you can call on when needed. Start by focusing on strengthening your core group. 7️⃣ Incorporate the Aristotelian Triad Balance Credibility, Emotion, and Logic in your messaging.  A persuasive argument speaks to the head and the heart. 8️⃣ Apply the Stakeholder Matrix Map out the people who hold the most power and influence in your network. Prioritise your efforts to connect with those who can have the biggest impact on your goals. When you apply these 8 techniques, persuasion stops being about “winning” and becomes about building trust, creating connection, and alignment. -> Who’s the most persuasive person you know? What’s their secret? ♻ Share this with your network to help them master persuasion. ➕ Follow me, Jen Blandos, for actionable daily insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace well-being.

“Silence won me the deal.” It was during a high-stakes negotiation workshop. A long polished table stretched across the room, the faint hum of the air-conditioner mixing with the nervous tapping of pens. Coffee cups steamed gently, untouched. Two teams sat facing each other—one eager to sell, the other skeptical, guarded, holding their cards close. Every sentence from the buyers was sharp, deliberate. Every counter from the sellers was rushed, almost pleading. And then came that moment. A buyer leaned forward, narrowed his eyes, and asked: “So… what’s the absolute lowest you can go?” The sellers scrambled. Voices overlapped. Justifications poured out. In their rush to fill the silence, they gave away more than they should have. That’s when I stopped the roleplay and said to the leaders in the room: 👉 “Did you notice what happened? You lost not because of what you said, but because you couldn’t stay quiet.” Silence is uncomfortable. It makes palms sweat. It makes eyes wander. It feels like an eternity. But in negotiation, silence is not empty—it’s pressure. It’s the pause that forces the other side to reveal what they didn’t plan to. Later, I demonstrated. I role-played the seller again. When the buyer asked the same question, I simply looked at him, leaned back, folded my hands… and said nothing. The room went still. Ten seconds of silence felt like a minute. The buyer shifted in his chair, cleared his throat, and then—spoke again: “Well… we could increase the volume if you hold the price.” And just like that, silence unlocked a better deal. After the session, one participant came to me, wide-eyed, and said: “I’ve spent 15 years negotiating. No one ever taught me that my best weapon could be saying nothing.” 🌟 Lesson: Sometimes the most powerful sentence… is silence. Great leaders don’t always win by speaking more. They win by knowing when to let silence do the talking. #Negotiation #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment #SoftSkills #CommunicationSkills #Boardroom #Fortune500 #Influence #BusinessGrowth #Leadership

Most people treat a job offer like a take-it-or-leave-it proposition…Big mistake…👀 When a company extends an offer, they’re not just offering you money—they’re inviting you into a conversation. A negotiation. And how you handle that conversation can set the tone for your entire career there. Here’s the key: be curious, not combative. Questions to Ask After Receiving the Offer: To understand the offer: • “I really appreciate this offer—can you walk me through how you arrived at this number? It’ll help me better understand the framework.” • “What’s most important to the company in this compensation package—base salary, bonuses, equity, or benefits?” • “Are there opportunities to adjust parts of the package to better align with my contributions and market trends?” To uncover flexibility: • “If we were to explore adjustments, which areas would have the most flexibility?” • “How does this package compare to others for similar roles in the company?” • “What would it take to get closer to [specific figure or benefit] given the responsibilities we’ve discussed?” To gather more context: • “Does the team see this role as a critical growth driver? How can the compensation reflect that?” • “How does this package reflect the impact I’d be expected to deliver in the first 6-12 months?” • “What incentives are available for exceeding expectations in this role?” How to Propose Your Own Terms: Frame it as mutual problem-solving: • “I’d like to explore how we can adjust this package to better reflect the value I bring while aligning with your goals. Here’s what I had in mind…” • “Would it make sense to discuss a structure like [specific proposal] that better reflects the market for this role?” Anchor high with rationale: • “Based on my experience, the scope of this role, and market benchmarks, I was expecting something closer to [specific number or range]. How can we work together to close that gap?” • “For a role at this level with the impact we’ve discussed, I typically see packages in the range of [specific number or range]. Does that align with what’s possible here?” Be collaborative with priorities: • “I’m flexible on some elements of the package but prioritize [e.g., base salary or equity]. Could we explore adjustments in that area?” • “If adjusting the base salary isn’t possible, could we look at [specific alternatives like sign-on bonuses, stock options, or vacation time] instead?” Close with curiosity and an invitation to collaborate: • “How do you feel about this proposal? Is this something we could explore together?” • “What would you need from me to make this adjustment work on your end?” • “Are there other creative ways we can structure this to get closer to what I’m looking for?” The key is to make it clear you’re not demanding—you’re problem-solving together. This keeps the tone professional, collaborative, and respectful while ensuring you advocate for what you’re worth. #joboffer #negotiating #knowyourworth

High-stakes negotiations aren't about price. They're about psychology. Here's how to win. 👇 Negotiation isn't just for sales teams and boardrooms. It's a core leadership skill. Let’s break down 20 of the most effective strategies:  1 - Rapport before requests People say yes more easily when they like and trust you. 2 - Focus on conditions, not just price Often, success hinges on timelines, guarantees, or scope. 3 - When talks stall, change approach Don’t push harder. Instead, switch frameworks, ask a new question, or change who’s at the table. 4 - Anchor first, then move in small steps Setting the first number shapes the entire range, and each small move signals your limits. 5 - Slow the pace. Rushed talks = bad deals Time pressure leads to mistakes; calm, deliberate negotiation leads to clarity and strength. 6 - When someone asks for a discount, ask “why?” Sometimes asking for a discount is just a reflex. If your price is fair, stick to your guns. 7 - Listen first: Make the first minutes about them Understanding their needs gives you leverage and makes them feel heard. 8 - Act like the customer - even when you’re selling This flips the power balance between buyer and seller. 9 - BATNA (Best alternative to negotiated agreement) Knowing your best alternative gives you confidence and keeps you from accepting a bad deal. 10 - At the start, agree on a common goal and timeline Alignment on outcomes avoids confusion and sets a collaborative tone. 11 - Use silence as a tool. Say your point, then let it land Once you made your offer, stop talking and let the other side respond.  12 - Mirror their last few words. “Pressure around timing?” Mirroring builds instant rapport and often reveals useful information. 13 - Set the agenda. It’s a quiet way to shape the outcome Framing the discussion gives you early control and clarifies expectations. 14 - Bring multiple offers to the table. Optionality = leverage Create three variations of your core offer to segment customers. 15 - Frame your offer as an investment with return, not a cost ROI beats expense every time. 16 - Write down the agreement. If it’s not on paper, it’s not real Documentation creates accountability. 17 - Use strategic reciprocity. Give to get. But give deliberately Give something they value, but do it with intention—never randomly. 18 - Clarify language. “What do you mean by premium service?” Vague terms lead to mismatched expectations - ask for precise definitions. 19 - Ask at the beginning: “What’s the biggest obstacle you see?” Uncover objections early, before they derail the process later. 20 - Find out what’s important to them. It may not be the price Sometimes it’s speed, status, security, or support—ask, don’t assume. 🧭 What's your favorite negotiation strategy? ♻️ Repost to help someone become a top 1% communicator. 📌 Follow me Oliver Aust for daily strategies to communicate like the top 1% of CEOs.

We will no longer be interrupted in meetings. We won’t let it slide, wait for them to finish, or wait for our turn to speak when there’s a pause. Nope. Not happening anymore. Because when someone interrupts you, it’s usually because: 👉🏿 They want to quickly takeover your idea 👉🏿 They feel the need to hear themselves talk to show value 👉🏿 They aren’t patient and don’t have strong listening skills 👉🏿 They want to dominate the conversation 👉🏿 They are fine with you having a seat at the table, but don’t like you contributing your ideas And more. And I learned the hard way, that when I say nothing. My silence allows this behavior to continue. Now when someone interrupts we can say: ✅ “I wasn’t done yet, please let me continue to sharing before interrupting” and interrupt back ✅ “Can you please let Mita finish?” and intervene on someone else’s behalf ✅ “Let’s give everyone a chance to share and contribute please before jumping in” and remind attendees on how they should behave Sure, sometimes we can interrupt someone by accident or in our excitement and talk over them. Or because there aren’t enough breaks in the conversation and we are trying hard to contribute. I have been guilty of interrupting and always try to apologize quickly in the moment. And when someone repeatedly interrupts, over & over again, it can be a tool to silence, dismiss and minimize others around the table. To make sure their voice is the loudest and has the most impact. How do you stop interruptions in meetings? Have you been interrupted and how have you handled it? #leadership #inclusion #culture #MitaMallick

Consider Promoting vs Restraining Forces When Persuading. When attempting to change a behavior or attitude, you must consider the action forces that promote and inhibit the change you are pursuing. Most persuasion efforts focus on promoting forces by explaining why you should make the change being suggested: Eat this broccoli because it will make you strong. Invest in this company so you can make great future returns. Drive this car so you can impress a prospective romantic partner. Promoting forces represent the benefits, incentives, or avoided negative outcomes of enacting the change. Most advertising promotes change. However, promoting forces are not always enough to effect change. You must consider the inhibiting or restraining forces that prevent someone from changing. In the broccoli battles I had, my kids understood very clearly the benefits of eating their greens and they were even excited by the elaborate rewards I concocted (e.g., each bite of broccoli translated to two bites of ice cream). However, they could not get beyond the texture and taste. These visceral responses prevented them from consuming the broccoli. With a little culinary cover up (e.g., dipping sauces and ice cream sprinkles), I was able to remove the restraining forces and achieve victory. Failing to address inhibitory forces can actually decrease the likelihood of behavior change. People can get very frustrated if they desire the change you are promoting but can’t get beyond the forces restraining the behavior. For example, consider a typical campaign to get sedentary people to exercise more. The promoting arguments are clear and desirable – greater health, more energy, etc. However, the lack of time and potential pain that comes with new exercise regimens can prevent people from starting. People bombarded solely with promoting messages might begin to resent those trying to help them be healthy since they are unable or unwilling to exercise. A more complete and effective campaign would focus not only on the benefits of exercise, but one developing less strenuous and less time consuming workouts.

"We have budget for $199,000," the procurement manager spat at me. I had a $325,000 deal forecasted, and we had 7 days left to close it. That was June, 2020. End of quarter. Egg about to be smeared all over my face. I paced around my house while my family swam at the pool. Cursing under my breath. Back then, I knew every negotiation tactic in the book. But that was the problem: My negotiation "strategy" was actually what I now call "random acts of tactics." A question here. A label there. Throw in a 'give to get.' There was no system. No process. Just grasping. Since then, I now follow a step by step process for every negotiation. Here's the first 4: 1. Summarize and Pass the Torch. Key negotiation mistake. Letting your buyer negotiate with nothing but price on their mind. Instead: Start the negotiation with this: “As we get started, I thought I’d spend the first few minutes summarizing the key elements of our partnership so we’re all on the same page. Fair?” Then spend the next 3-4 min summarizing: - the customer's problem - your (unique) solution - the proposal That cements the business value. Reminds your counterpart what's at stake. They might not admit it: But it's now twice as hard for them to be price sensitive. After summarizing, pass the torch: "How do you think we land this plane from here?" Asking questions puts you in control. Now the onus is on them. But you know what they're going to say next. 2. Get ALL Their Asks On the Table Do this before RESPONDING to any "ask" individually. When you 'summarize and pass the torch,' usually they're going to make an ask. "Discount 20% more and we land this plane!" Some asks, you might want to agree to immediately. Don't. Get EVERY one of their asks on the table: You need to see the forest for the trees. “Let’s say we [found a way to resolve that]. In addition to that, what else is still standing in our way of moving forward?” Repeat until their answer is: "Nothing. We'd sign." Then confirm: “So if we found a way to [agree on X, Y, Z], there is nothing else stopping us from moving forward together?" 3. Stack Rank They probably just threw 3-4 asks at you. Now say: "How would you stack rank these from most important to least important?” Force them to prioritize. Now for the killer: 4. Uncover the Underlying Need(s) Ignore what they're asking for. Uncover WHY they're asking for it. If you don't, you can't NEGOTIATE. You can only BARTER. You might be able to address the UNDERLYING need in a different, better way than what they're asking for. After summarizing all of their 'requests,' say this: “What’s going on in your world that’s driving you to need that?” Do that for each one. Problem-solve from there. P.S. These 7 sales skills will help you add an extra $53K to your income in the next 6 months (or less) without working more hours, more stress, or outdated “high-pressure” tactics. Go here: https://lnkd.in/ggYuTdtf