🤝 Negotiation Basics

Negotiation isn’t about fighting — it’s about understanding what both sides want and finding the middle path.
You negotiate more than you think:

• When you ask for extra time on homework.
• When you choose where to eat with friends.
• Even when you trade chores at home.

It’s not a battle.
It’s a conversation with a goal:

“Let’s both win something that matters.”

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🎯 The Goal of Negotiation

Most people think negotiation means one person wins.
In business and life, the best negotiators create win–win outcomes.

Style	Focus	Result
Aggressive	Win at all costs	One side angry or silent
Passive	Avoid conflict	One side unhappy later
Collaborative	Find shared value	Both satisfied

Real power comes from empathy + clarity, not pressure.

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💬 Story: The Case of the School Fair Booth

Two students, Emma and Leo, both wanted the best spot for their booths.
Emma ran a snack stand. Leo had a poster game.
At first, they argued.
Then they talked:

• Emma: “I need power for my mini fridge.”
• Leo: “I need space so people can play.”

They realized that a corner spot with an outlet and open space worked for both.
They agreed — and both made record sales.

That’s negotiation: not louder voices, but better questions.

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🧠 The 3-Step Negotiation Framework

Step 1 — Prepare Before You Talk

Ask yourself:

1. What do I really want?
2. What could I offer in return?
3. What would be a fair deal for both?

Preparation is half the win.

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Step 2 — Listen to Learn

Most people prepare arguments.
Smart negotiators prepare questions.

Try asking:

• “What’s most important to you?”
• “If I can do X, could you do Y?”
• “What would make this feel fair to both of us?”

💬 Listening = information = power.

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Step 3 — Build the Bridge

When both sides share, find overlap:

• “We both want this project to finish on time.”
• “We both want the presentation to look great.”
  Then suggest a solution around that common ground.

That’s how good deals are made.

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🧩 The Language of Good Negotiators

The words you use change everything.

Don’t Say	Try Saying Instead
“That’s not fair.”	“Can we find a middle point?”
“You’re wrong.”	“Let’s look at it another way.”
“No way.”	“What if we try this instead?”
“I need this.”	“Here’s what matters most to me.”

Words shape tone — and tone shapes trust.

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💬 Mini Practice

Think of a disagreement you had this month.
Now rewrite your sentences using “Try Saying Instead.”
Notice how the tone shifts from pushy to positive.

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🎲 Role-Play Challenge

Grab a classmate and act out a simple negotiation:

Scenario	You	Partner
You want to use the classroom projector	Presenter	Teacher
You both want the same role in a project	Student A	Student B
You’re dividing tasks for a school event	Organizer	Volunteer

💬 Rule: each side must make one offer and one compromise.

Afterward, discuss what worked best — logic, empathy, or creativity?

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🧩 What Makes Great Negotiators?

1. They stay calm. No emotion = clear thinking.
2. They ask more questions than they answer.
3. They look for the “why,” not the “what.”
4. They know their limits — when to walk away.

Even saying “Let’s continue later” is better than forcing a rushed deal.

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💬 Real-World Examples

• Steve Jobs — convinced record labels to sell songs for $0.99 by showing how it helped them, not just Apple.
• Oprah Winfrey — built business empires by listening first.
• Teen entrepreneurs — often negotiate prices, sponsors, and even team roles daily.

Every good deal begins with understanding value, not demanding it.

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🧭 Try This at Home

Pick one small daily situation — like deciding what movie to watch or splitting chores.
Instead of arguing, use:

“Let’s find something that works for both.”

See how the tone changes.
That’s the essence of negotiation — building bridges, not walls.

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💬 Remember:
The best negotiators don’t “win” alone — they make everyone walk away saying,
“That was fair. I’d work with them again.”