Ways to Keep Negotiations Productive in Turbulent Times

Stop dreading tough talks. Master them with these 21 phrases instead: I once snapped when a colleague questioned my timeline. My defensive reaction created a week of tension. That day I realized emotional responses solve nothing. They only create new problems. We've all been there: Feeling defensive Reacting without thinking Watching a simple disagreement turn into a lasting conflict But I've learned the shift from reactive to constructive changes everything ✨ 21 ways smart people handle difficult conversations: 1) Lead with Curiosity ↳ "Tell me more about your perspective on this" ↳ Questions defuse tension faster than statements 2) Name the Energy ↳ "I notice there's tension here, let's address it" ↳ Acknowledgment creates safety 3) Find Common Ground ↳ "We both want what's best for the project" ↳ Alignment before action 4) Set Clear Expectations ↳ "Here's what I need, what do you need?" ↳ Clarity prevents future conflict 5) Pause the Escalation ↳ "Let's take a step back and break this down" ↳ Breathing room creates solutions 6) Mirror Their Language ↳ Use their exact key words when responding ↳ Matching builds instant connection 7) Acknowledge Impact ↳ "I see how this affects your priorities" ↳ Understanding beats defense 8) Own Your Part ↳ "Here's where I could have done better" ↳ Accountability creates trust 9) Focus Forward ↳ "How can we prevent this next time?" ↳ Solutions beat blame 10) Check Understanding ↳ "Here's what I'm hearing - am I getting it right?" ↳ Clarity prevents escalation 11) Create Space ↳ "Let's revisit this when we're both fresh" ↳ Time transforms tension 12) Stay on Topic ↳ "Let's focus on solving this specific issue" ↳ Boundaries keep talks productive 13) Express Confidence ↳ "I know we can figure this out together" ↳ Belief shifts energy 14) Share Context ↳ "Here's what led to my decision" ↳ Understanding reduces resistance 15) Invite Solutions ↳ "What ideas do you have for this?" ↳ Collaboration beats control 16) Set Timelines ↳ "When should we check in on this?" ↳ Structure creates safety 17) Validate Concerns ↳ "That's a legitimate worry - let's address it" ↳ Recognition reduces defense 18) Stay Factual ↳ "Here's what the data shows us" ↳ Evidence beats emotion 19) Close with Action ↳ "Let's clarify next steps together" ↳ Progress prevents repeat issues 20) Follow Through ↳ "As we discussed, here's what I've done" ↳ Action builds credibility 21) Document Growth ↳ "Here's how we'll work differently now" ↳ Learning beats repeating Difficult conversations aren't obstacles to success. They're the moments where true connection happens ✨ Which strategy will you try in your next challenging conversation? -- ♻️ Repost to help your network transform difficult conversations into opportunities 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more practical tools to succeed with confidence

"We will pay you $75K this year and $110K next year.” I’ve helped candidates negotiate six-figure salaries, remote flexibility, and better perks. Even when employers initially resisted. Well... negotiations often hit a standstill when both sides are holding firm. The employer won’t budge, and the employee doesn’t want to compromise. So how do you move forward without losing what matters most? 1️⃣ Understand their WHY. Your employer isn’t just being difficult. They have reasons, maybe budget constraints, company culture, and managerial oversight. If they insist on in-office work, maybe they’re worried about productivity. If they push back on salary, maybe they’re balancing multiple hires. 2️⃣ Reframe the discussion. Instead of saying, "I can only do remote", say "I’ll provide daily Loom updates to showcase my work and keep communication transparent." This way, they don’t feel like they’re losing control. They’re gaining certainty. 3️⃣ Propose a step-up structure. If they claim they can’t meet your salary, introduce a phased increase: "What if we start at $75K now, with a structured raise to $110K next year based on performance?" Now, you’re giving them flexibility while ensuring you get the pay you deserve. 4️⃣ Negotiate beyond salary. If they won’t budge on pay, shift the focus. More vacation? Training budget? Performance-based bonuses? There are multiple levers to pull. The goal isn’t to win. It’s to walk away happy. No one gets 100% of what they want, But the best negotiators ensure both sides leave with a deal that feels fair. If your negotiation is stuck, shift from demands to solutions. That’s how you break the deadlock.

Avoiding conflict might be what's holding you back... Early in my career, I thought avoiding conflict and always being agreeable made me a good "team player." Over time, I have learned it's actually the opposite. Being effective means knowing when & how to respectfully disagree... and then getting to a path forward. Productive disagreement in these situations is an art: 》When do you hold the line? 》When are you flexible? 》How do you arrive at a solution that works for everyone? ~~~~~~~~ Here are three steps to navigating disagreements: 1. State your priorities clearly: Help others quickly understand what's important to you. What are the non-negotiables, and what are the areas you can negotiate on? 2. Ask questions: Seek clarity on the other party's goals, constraints, and motivations. 3. Propose tradeoffs openly: Find solutions that acknowledge each group's needs, even if no one gets everything they want (usually the case). ~~~~~~~~ The ability to productively disagree is an unspoken corporate rule, and improves your ability to move projects forward. What's your tip for navigating these situations productively?

I stocked up on business books when Borders closed in 2011. One bargain paid off this week. I was negotiating an agreement with a prospective partner. We had built rapport and were aligned on the goals of the collaboration. But when it was time to agree on the terms, we were further apart than I had imagined. Before reading this book more than 10 years ago, I would have thought that a successful negotiation has a winner and a loser. (Present-day rhetoric in the media often portrays that perception.) But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In their 2007 book, Negotiation Genius, authors Malhotra and Bazerman of Havard Business School describe a central idea that’s stuck with me: The goal of negotiating is to maximize the value for all involved parties. If a single party wins, every party loses. Back to the situation. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with where we landed and asked for a second meeting. Instead of playing hardball, I shared my perspective and sought to listen and understand my partner’s perspective. And guess what? Their arguments made sense. I didn’t get the exact terms I had hoped for, and that’s okay. We agreed on terms that support both our businesses. A strong partnership that grows the pie for both is more valuable in the long run than a rigid focus on one-time revenue (and losing the partnership). Negotiating to increase the value means putting your ego aside and staying flexible to see different vantage points, and crafting a win-win outcome. The more invested you are, the harder it gets. And it takes practice to adjust your mindset. So, the next time you’re preparing for a negotiation, consider potential options and alternatives as well as your non-negotiables, so you can adapt in the moment and maximize value for all. Have you negotiated to make the overall value bigger? #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #IntelligenceBriefing