Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People

KEY LESSONS Superstar negotiators—real rainmakers—know that a negotiation is a playing field beneath the words, where really getting to a good deal involves detecting and manipulating subtle, nonobvious signals beneath the surface. It is only by visualizing and modifying these sub surface issues that you can craft a great deal and make sure that it

Identifying value-creating opportunities requires probing for the underlying interests of each side, rather than playing the traditional game of positional bargaining.

Any negotiation, any steering conversation, has to begin with you. You need to steer from the very beginning, by asking yourself the right questions before you sit down with anyone else. The best negotiations, relationships, or client interactions start with you—a process of self-discovery that helps you get clarity on who you are and what you want