--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fastest and most efficient means of…" description: "\"“The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a quick working relationship is to acknowledge the negative and diffuse it.”\" — Chris Voss" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg" --- # The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a… ![“The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a quick working relationship is to acknowledge the negative and diffuse it.” quote by Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg) > ““The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a quick working relationship is to acknowledge the negative and diffuse it.”” [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Effective rapport is built by first acknowledging problems and then calming the situation. **In simple terms:** Acknowledge issues, then calm them to build trust. Key Takeaway Address conflict early. Themes communication conflict resolution trust Mood strategic calm Type professional practical When to use this quote - business deals - personal disputes - team meetings - customer service Key Concepts negotiation tactics emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can you acknowledge without conceding? - What calming techniques work best? A Different Perspective Ignoring issues can worsen tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledge Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledge-negative-865244/) [Establishing Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishing-quick-865245/) [Quick Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quick-working-865247/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Relationship Acknowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-acknowledge-865246/) [Relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationships/) [Working Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-relationship-240060/) ## Related quotes > [“Try this the next time you have to apologize for a bone-headed mistake. Go right at it. The fastest and most efficient means of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/try-this-the-next-time-you-have-to-apologize-for-a-bone-headed/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“Therapy requires a collaborative working relationship in which both partners act on the basis of their implicit confidence in the value and efficacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-lewis-herman/therapy-requires-a-collaborative-working-relationship-in-which-both/) [Judith Lewis Herman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-lewis-herman/) > [“Do I think having a working relationship would be the wisest decision, knowing the past we’ve shared, probably not.” I shrugged. “That doesn’t really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-rise-chance/do-i-think-having-a-working-relationship-would-be-the-wisest-decision/) [Rachel Rise, Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-rise-chance/) > [Two people working on a relationship with the same energy & passion increases the chances of great results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-sweat/two-people-working-on-a-relationship-with-the-same-energy-passion/) [Keith Sweat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-sweat/) > [You can have all sorts of relationships, but there's something with musicians working together where you can have relationship that can just continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-orton/you-can-have-all-sorts-of-relationships-but-there-s-something-with/) [Beth Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-orton/) > [At the end of the day, when you get a sponsor, it's a working relationship. So anyone I get involved with, I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/at-the-end-of-the-day-when-you-get-a-sponsor-it-s-a-working/) [Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/) > [I've never had a working relationship like I have with them. I developed a lot of the design of this show with them. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-hurwitz/i-ve-never-had-a-working-relationship-like-i-have-with-them-i/) [Mitchell Hurwitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-hurwitz/) > [Well we have a good working relationship with Microsoft at the development level. But let's not kid ourselves, this is a company with enormous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-thompson/well-we-have-a-good-working-relationship-with-microsoft-at-the/) [John W. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-thompson/) > [What's important in any working relationship or working with someone in your family is you have to start with a clean slate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-foster/what-s-important-in-any-working-relationship-or-working-with-someone/) [Erin Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-foster/) > [What I've learned - after working for, I guess, some time now - is when you're approaching a relationship like that, like, any working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pitt/what-i-ve-learned-after-working-for-i-guess-some-time-now-is-when-you/) [Michael Pitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pitt/) > [Creatively, I thought we were still viable and could do more records. But our working relationship just wasn't happening at all, and our chemistry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cameron/creatively-i-thought-we-were-still-viable-and-could-do-more-records/) [Matt Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cameron/) > [I've been a fan of Mads since the “Casino Royale” movie. I really sat up and paid attention to him. I was like, “Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fishburne/i-ve-been-a-fan-of-mads-since-the-casino-royale-movie-i-really-sat-up/) [Laurence Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fishburne/) > [A strong working relationship requires every participant to be on the same page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-paliwal/a-strong-working-relationship-requires-every-participant-to-be-on-the/) [Dinesh Paliwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-paliwal/) > [I've been very fortunate, because sometimes it's difficult to work with your spouse. But in our case, it's a great working relationship, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anousheh-ansari/i-ve-been-very-fortunate-because-sometimes-it-s-difficult-to-work/) [Anousheh Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anousheh-ansari/) > [“A successful working relationship has all the qualities of a bad relationship”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/a-successful-working-relationship-has-all-the-qualities-of-a-bad/) [Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/) ## More by Chris Voss > [“Most of the time, you should be using the positive/playful voice. It’s the voice of an easygoing, good-natured person. Your attitude is light and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/most-of-the-time-you-should-be-using-the-positive-playful-voice-it-s/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“By repeating back what people say, you trigger this mirroring instinct and your counterpart will inevitably elaborate on what was just said and sustain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/by-repeating-back-what-people-say-you-trigger-this-mirroring-instinct/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“Every case is new. We must let what we know - our known knowns - guide us but not blind us to what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/every-case-is-new-we-must-let-what-we-know-our-known-knowns-guide-us/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“The Downs hijacking case came to epitomize everything not to do in a crisis situation, and inspired the development of today’s theories, training, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-downs-hijacking-case-came-to-epitomize-everything-not-to-do-in-a/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“In any interaction, it pleases us to feel that the other side is listening and acknowledging our situation. Whether you are negotiating a business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/in-any-interaction-it-pleases-us-to-feel-that-the-other-side-is/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/here-are-some-other-great-standbys-that-i-use-in-almost-every/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“If I just ask for a volunteer, my students sit on their hands and look away. You’ve been there. You can almost feel your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/if-i-just-ask-for-a-volunteer-my-students-sit-on-their-hands-and-look/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“when you phrase a label as a neutral statement of understanding, it encourages your counterpart to be responsive. They’ll usually give a longer answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/when-you-phrase-a-label-as-a-neutral-statement-of-understanding-it/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“There are essentially three voice tones available to negotiators: the late-night FM DJ voice, the positive/playful voice, and the direct or assertive voice. Forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/there-are-essentially-three-voice-tones-available-to-negotiators-the/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“Instead of addressing his grumpy behavior, you acknowledge his sadness in a nonjudgmental way. You head him off before he can really get started.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/instead-of-addressing-his-grumpy-behavior-you-acknowledge-his-sadness/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“Notice we said 'It sounds like . . .' and not 'I'm hearing that . . .' That's because the word 'I' gets people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/notice-we-said-it-sounds-like-and-not-i-m-hearing-that-that-s-because/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“What were needed were simple psychological tactics and strategies that worked in the field to calm people down, establish rapport, gain trust, elicit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/what-were-needed-were-simple-psychological-tactics-and-strategies/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“they should be teased out. Labeling is a helpful tactic in de-escalating angry confrontations, because it makes the person acknowledge their feelings rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/they-should-be-teased-out-labeling-is-a-helpful-tactic-in-de/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. Performing an accusation audit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/list-the-worst-things-that-the-other-party-could-say-about-you-and/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) > [“There’s one powerful way to quiet the voice in your head and the voice in their head at the same time: treat two schizophrenics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/there-s-one-powerful-way-to-quiet-the-voice-in-your-head-and-the/) [Chris Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) [Explore all 94 Chris Voss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/) ## More Relationship quotes > [I had developed a relationship with one of the anti-abortion sidewalk counselors who stood in front of my facility. We talked regularly through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-johnson/i-had-developed-a-relationship-with-one-of-the-anti-abortion-sidewalk/) [Abby Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abby-johnson/) > [Loving you is the best feeling have ever had, and you loving me is the greater gift I have..I will be brave, I wont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/loving-you-is-the-best-feeling-have-ever-had-and-you-loving-me-is-the/) [Fash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fash/) > [I'd rather hear a guy say, I've made plans for us, instead of the usual, I don't know; whatever you wanna do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-d-rather-hear-a-guy-say-i-ve-made-plans-for-us-instead-of-the-usual/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dating someone on the opposite end of the happy spectrum teaches you an incredible amount of patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pine/dating-someone-on-the-opposite-end-of-the-happy-spectrum-teaches-you/) [Chris Pine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pine/) > [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [I want a man that when I come running up to him with tears running down my face, the first thing he says is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-a-man-that-when-i-come-running-up-to-him-with-tears-running/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Loving the wrong person doesn't mean ypu're stupid. It was stupid of that person not to appreciate your LOVE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pretty-nimy/loving-the-wrong-person-doesn-t-mean-ypu-re-stupid-it-was-stupid-of/) [Pretty\_Nimy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pretty-nimy/) > [You're beautiful, cute, pretty, gorgeous, and fuck.. I ran out of words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/you-re-beautiful-cute-pretty-gorgeous-and-fuck-i-ran-out-of-words/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [I fell in love with my best friend, but I know that if it doesn't last, it will never be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-yang/i-fell-in-love-with-my-best-friend-but-i-know-that-if-it-doesn-t-last/) [Shelly Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelly-yang/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [My mom and dad had the relationship that I want, and they were teammates. They were always equal 50/50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-kufrin/my-mom-and-dad-had-the-relationship-that-i-want-and-they-were/) [Becca Kufrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-kufrin/) [Browse all 18,008 Relationship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a quick working relationship is to acknowledge the negative and diffuse it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chris Voss" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of-establishing-a-quick-working/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Relationship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of-establishing-a-quick-working/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/chris-voss-5746_relationship_the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of_2481192.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fastest and most efficient means of establishing a quick working relationship is to acknowledge the…” — Chris Voss", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Chris Voss", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-voss/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The fastest and most efficient means...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of-establishing-a-quick-working/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-voss/the-fastest-and-most-efficient-means-of-establishing-a-quick-working/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```