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■ People who view negotiation as a battle of arguments…

“■ People who view negotiation as a battle of arguments become overwhelmed by the voices in their head. Negotiation is not an act of battle; it’s a process of discovery. The goal is to uncover as much information as possible. ■ To quiet the voices in your head, make your sole and all-encompassing…” quote by Chris Voss
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““■    People who view negotiation as a battle of arguments become overwhelmed by the voices in their head. Negotiation is not an act of battle; it’s a process of discovery. The goal is to uncover as much information as possible.         ■    To quiet the voices in your head, make your sole and all-encompassing focus the other person and what they have to say.         ■    Slow. It. Down. Going too fast is one of the mistakes all negotiators are prone to making. If we’re too much in a hurry, people can feel as if they’re not being heard. You risk undermining the rapport and trust you’ve built.         ■””

Chris Voss

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Negotiation succeeds when you listen, gather information, and build trust rather than treating it as a combative debate.

In simple terms: Listen, gather info, build trust, not fight.

Key Takeaway

Focus on the other person and slow down.

Themes

communication trust information gathering empathy strategy

Mood

thoughtful strategic calm

Type

advice instructional insightful

When to use this quote

  • business deals
  • salary negotiations
  • conflict resolution
  • relationship building

Key Concepts

Active listening psychology of persuasion rapport building

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you shift from arguing to discovering?
  • What signals show the other party feels heard?
A Different Perspective

If you rush, you may miss crucial cues and damage trust.

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