Say Less, Get More

Seize everyday negotiation opportunities to improve the quality of your life.

Strong negotiation skills can improve the quality of your daily life. Many people fear negotiating, women in particular. Researchers found that only 7% of women negotiated their salaries at their first jobs after university, and just under 60% of men failed to negotiate as well. Those who did negotiate received offers that were 7.4% higher on average.

The thought of negotiating can trigger anxiety symptoms, such as sweaty palms and rapid heart rate. Lessen these effects and become a better negotiator by teaching yourself to pause: Breathe deeply, and give yourself time to react and overcome your fear. If you view negotiation as a negative activity, shift your perspective. A negotiation is a process involving two or more people trying to find an agreeable solution. It doesn’t need to be combative.

The negotiation spectrum spans from competitive “my way” to collaborative “our way” styles.

Two broad negotiation categories exist: Competitive negotiations usually center around money. Participants seldom engage in relationship building...