Goals Quote by Chris Voss
““Here are some other great standbys that I use in almost every negotiation, depending on the situation: What about this is important to you? How can I help to make this better for us? How would you like me to proceed? What is it that brought us into this situation? How can we solve this problem? What’s the objective? / What are we trying to accomplish here? How am I supposed to do that?””
About This Quote
These questions are tactical tools to uncover priorities, clarify goals, and foster collaborative problem‑solving during negotiations.
In simple terms: Ask probing, collaborative questions to reveal interests and align solutions.
Key Takeaway
Use open‑ended questions to surface underlying needs.
Themes
Negotiation
Communication
Collaboration
Problem solving
Mood
Strategic
Curious
Type
Advice
Negotiation tip
When to use this quote
- Business contract talks
- Mediation sessions
- Team project planning
Key Concepts
Interest‑based bargaining
Empathy in dialogue
Practical Applications
- Prepare a question checklist for each negotiation phase
- Practice active listening to respond effectively
Questions to Reflect On
- Which question would most likely reveal a hidden constraint?
- How can you balance probing with rapport building?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on questions can stall talks if the counterpart feels interrogated.
