Negotiation has been misunderstood for decades. Too many people still picture it as a high‑stakes showdown — a boardroom standoff, a contract dispute, a “winner vs. loser” moment.

But in reality? Most negotiation happens in the hallway, in Slack, in meetings, and in the quiet moments where expectations collide.

In a recent negotiation workshop I delivered, I emphasized a simple truth: If you work with humans, you negotiate. Every day.

The Three Skills That Change Everything

You don’t need theatrics. You need fundamentals.

1. Know your BATNA — always. Your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement is your anchor. Without it, you’re negotiating blind.

2. Separate positions from interests. Positions are what people say. Interests are what they actually need. Great negotiators listen for the second one.

3. Reset the room when tension spikes. A negotiation isn’t lost when someone gets frustrated. It’s lost when no one resets the emotional temperature.

Negotiation as a Leadership Tool

When people feel heard, respected, and understood, they collaborate differently. Negotiation isn’t about getting your way — it’s about creating a path forward that people can commit to.

The leaders who master negotiation aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones who can turn friction into progress.

And in today’s workplace, that’s a superpower.