Book review
Never Split the Difference
Stumbled upon this book because I was interested in learning about negotiations after taking a MGT class about leadership at UCSD My one big takeaway if I were to forget everything else about this book is that it is never a win lose situation. Both sides should always have something to gain and it's up to you to listen to the other side to understand why and how they think what is being negotiated is worth it for them.
I have also been interested in negotiation becuase my personality has been a conceding personality. I've been a good mediator but many times I catch myself falling under pressure to please the other side even if I dont get everything I want out of a deal or relationship. For instance, if someone would prefer to go eat x food, even if I'm a bit relunctant, I find the time I spend with them is more important than eating what I like. Although I guess that can also be considered as part fo the negotiation.
Almost my entire life, I have always focused on compromise. Whether it be an argument with friends or family. Reading this book I understood that compromise is in a way the cowards way out because you're afraid of having a difficult discussion to really learn about the other side.
Building rapport is also extremely important. Sometimes, it's not about getting what you out of something but also building a relationship with someone to continue coming back and making deals with them.