Negotiation Strategy

Core principle: Effective negotiation finds trades that create value and builds agreements that hold. Preparation determines ~80% of outcomes. Replace instinct with structured analysis of interests, alternatives, and leverage.

When to Use This Skill

• Preparing for any negotiation — salary, contract, vendor, partnership, scope, resource allocation
• Two or more parties need to reach agreement
• Stuck in a negotiation and need to reassess
• A deal structure needs to be designed or evaluated
• Upstream game-theoretic-analysis identified a strategic interaction needing tactical prep

Core Methodology

Step 1: Map the Situation