Reading Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss. Negotiation is a skill you can use in lots of different contexts.

Advice that surprised me the most: get the other party to say “No” early on & use that to open negotiations!

When you preserve a person’s autonomy by clearly giving them permission to say “No” to your ideas, the emotions calm, the effectiveness of the decisions go up, and the other party can really look at your proposal. They’re allowed to hold it in their hands, to turn it around.

Conversely, if the other party doesn’t want to say No even after your best efforts to get them to, something’s wrong.

“No”–or the lack thereof–also serves as a warning, the canary in the coal mine. If despite all your efforts, the other party won’t say “No,” you’re dealing with people who are indecisive or confused or who have a hidden agenda. In cases like that you have to end the negotiation and walk away.

As I read, I keep thinking of situations in my life I want to apply these lessons to. Recommend!