Negotiation Quote by Chris Voss
““■ 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. ■””
About This Quote
Source Book: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, 2016
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.
