How to be more comfortable with negotiations

Rethinking Negotiations: Three things that have changed my approach to all negotiations

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Dear Rethinkers (and a big warm welcome to lots of new subscribers!)

I have a constant worry in my life – how I make other people feel. For years, it made me dread negotiating things in my personal and professional life. I was nervous and afraid to ask for specific things, especially about money. How do I protect my interests and assert my worth without coming across too strong? Negotiations felt like a strange tug-of-war between cooperation and competition.

A few years ago, I realized it was time to rethink how to use emotions to my advantage in negotiations – how fear, excitement, regret, and even anxiety could help, not hinder, the process of creating value for both sides in a deal. It’s been transformative. That’s why today I want to share with you three ways to think differently about negotiating.

Negotiation in many ways is an act of trust. You must take a risk and leap into the unknown. Yes, we could lose the raise, promotion, or deal we’re asking for. But we will never know unless we enter the negotiation.  So here we go!

Here are three things that have me rethink my approach to all kinds of negotiations. Become a paid subscriber to Rethink with Rachel to read the rest.