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How to Negotiate (With 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Win)

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If you had to pick a metaphor for a negotiation, which would you choose:

A. Going to the Dentist

B. Playing a Game

Your choice here is important–do you see negotiations as a necessary evil OR as a fun challenge? It’s time to start thinking about negotiations as a fun challenge. Here’s why:

You can win. You just have to have the right tools and mindset.

Can we be your negotiation coach? Use this guide as your personal negotiation playbook, with the best negotiation tactics for learning how to negotiate salary, how to negotiate a job offer, and more. Why do you need to know how to negotiate?

We’re all negotiators…even if you don’t realize it.

Whether you’re trying to buy a car, get a raise, or find bargains at garage sales, you’re constantly trying to score the best deal for yourself. However, not all of us are good negotiators. We were curious why some people have a knack for getting what they want, while others… not so much. So, we gathered the best research on negotiation strategies to find out what the science has to say.

I want you to win every deal.

Here are 12 science-backed strategies to help you win at negotiations and at life.

Do You Really Think You Can Be a Better Negotiator?

This question is important. Your answer shouldn’t just be “Umm, maybe?” it should be “Heck yes!” Why? Studies show the fact that you’re reading this article means you’re on your way to becoming a great negotiator. Researchers at the University of California Berkeley found that people who believe their negotiation skills can improve with time and learning are more successful than those who think negotiation skills are based on fixed personality traits.

Bottom line: If you believe you can be a better negotiator, you are more likely to become a better negotiator.

Real Talk: If you’re a shy, socially awkward person and think you’ll never be a good negotiator, it becomes true. However, if you believe you can improve and spend time reading articles like this one and implementing that advice, you’ll learn how to be more successful in negotiations. It’s really that simple.

Action Steps: Need some psyching up? You may need a Pre-performance Ritual! This is a routine or habit a performer, athlete, or professional does to enhance their performance, get their mindset right, and beat nerves.

A Pre-performance Ritual is ideal for any situation that causes excess stress, nerves, or anxiety, and—for most of us—negotiations fall into that category. Check out all 7 ideas on how to psych yourself up here.

One idea for your Pre-performance Ritual before a negotiation is to harness the power of nostalgia. Let’s do an exercise. Get out a sheet of paper and something to write with.

Write a few sentences about a time you felt powerful.

How do you feel?

According to research conducted by Columbia professor Adam Galinsky, this brief exercise may be one of the best ways to set your mindset up for success before a stressful event. 

In this study, he asked a group of interviewees to write for a few minutes before taking part in a mock interview. One group wrote about a time they felt powerful (like you just did), while the other group wrote about a time they felt powerless. The results were clear: those who wrote about feeling powerful felt calmer during their interview and were rated better by their interviewers. One of the best things you can do is use powerful nostalgia to pump yourself up.

Hone Your Assertiveness

How assertive are you in negotiations? Research shows you probably can’t answer that question. A study conducted by Columbia Business School found that “the challenge [of negotiation] is compounded by the fact that people often don’t know how others see their assertiveness.”

Whether you come across as too hot or too cold, you likely think the opposite.

An easy way to overcome this is to practice negotiating with people you know and then ask them what they think of you. I know; I know. It sounds intimidating, but this is essential for your negotiation confidence. For example, try negotiating with your friends to decide who’s in charge of what for your next holiday party or have someone listen to you while you call to get a better deal on your internet bill. The goal is to find out if you’re too pushy or too passive. Just make sure the people you ask are honest!

Case Study: Let’s say you want to ask your boss for a raise. Ask a friend or family member who has a similar personality type to your boss. Have them role-play a meeting with you so you can get practice in asking the hard questions to a real person.

It’s important to put your negotiating skills to the test as you learn. Researchers have found that learning negotiation skills and participating in mock negotiations can improve your confidence, negotiation tactics, and conflict management styles.

Action Step: One way you can improve your assertiveness is to sound confident and speak better. Find your maximum resonance point to speak at your optimal rate.

Offer a Favor in Advance

A study conducted by Santa Clara University found that people who received an unsolicited favor were more likely to help the person who gave it to them than people who didn’t receive a favor.

Analysis of several studies shows that people feel a strong need to reciprocate. If someone gives you something, you feel like you should give them something in return. What this tells us is that one of the most effective ways to get what you want, for example a promotion or salary increase, is to offer your boss a favor prior to making your request. This way, they’ll already feel like they want to help you.

  • Case Study: Let’s say you want to negotiate your work hours so you can spend more time with your kids. Before meeting with your boss, go out of your way to help them in ways that are beyond your job description. During your negotiation, they’ll remember your efforts and want to help you in return.

Action Step: Do a favor for someone you plan on negotiating with soon.

Choose a Nice Day to Negotiate

The weather is probably the last thing you think about when preparing for a negotiation, but it can play an influential role in your success. Researchers at the University of Southern Brittany analyzed several studies on weather and mood and found that people are more generous on sunny days.

  • Case Study: Say you need to buy new appliances and, since they’re expensive, you plan on negotiating for lower prices. Go shopping on a day with pleasant weather. Chances are both you and the sales rep will be in a more agreeable mood, and the extra positivity might inspire them to give you a deal that’s not advertised.

Action Step: If you have the flexibility to choose when you negotiate, pick the nicest day of the week.

Eat First, Negotiate Later

Okay, this is a weird one, but important. Most people think about their negotiation starting as soon as they enter their boss’s office or on the day of the negotiation. When in fact, the negotiation can start well before, with pre-rapport building activities.

Multiple studies have found that breaking bread or sharing a meal before a negotiation makes people feel more connected.

  • In “Should You Eat While You Negotiate?” researcher Lakshmi Balachandra studied a group of 132 MBA students in a negotiation. She found that students who shared a meal together during the negotiation in either a restaurant or by dining together in the conference room created significantly increased profits compared to those who negotiated without dining. Her finding suggests that “eating while deciding important matters offers profitable, measurable benefits through mutually productive discussions.”
  • In “A Recipe for Friendship: Similar Food Consumption Promotes Trust and Cooperation” researchers Woolley and Fishbach found that even eating the same food can lead partners to cooperate more.
  • Consider the nature of your negotiation. Is your negotiation competitive (such as negotiating a job offer) or cooperative (deciding on a vacation spot with friends)? Researchers Margaret Neale and doctoral student Peter Belmi found that sharing food does help create more valuable deals in competitive negotiations, “but in situations that are cooperative, such as when the two parties are friends, meal sharing reduces the overall value of the deal.”

Action Step: Can you grab a meal before the negotiation? Can you share a dish? Can you save time for chit-chat before getting down to business? This will help your negotiating partner feel connected to you as a person, not as a business adversary.

Want more on how to level up your skills?

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Master Your People Skills

  • Create a Memorable Presence
  • Communicate with Confidence
  • Achieve Your Goals

Have a question about the presentation or People School? Email Science of People support.

Form Your Clear Intention

As we discussed in Strategy #1, negotiations can be a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. If you’re worried about your nerves taking over your upcoming negotiation, then I encourage you to set a clear intention for your meeting. 

This tip comes from Don Greene, author of Fight Your Fear and Win. I read Don’s book when I was battling my own stage fright and performance anxiety. 

To set an intention for your negotiation, pick one simple intention for this event. What do you want most from the negotiation? What is your main goal? What is your hope for this conversation? 

Once you have this intention set, think about this often before your negotiation — in the car on the drive to work, as you’re brushing your teeth, right before you go to bed the night before. The big idea here is that your intention wipes out or temporarily dismisses the anxious or nervous thoughts swirling in your mind. 

The best intentions are simple and easy to repeat back to yourself. 

For example, it might be, “Get the buyer to sign and stay firm on numbers.” or “Get a salary increase of 20 percent.” 

Action Step: Beat negotiation anxiety by setting your intention. The most important thing about a good intention is to keep it positive. Don’t use words such as “don’t” or “no.’” So, instead of saying “don’t mess up,” say “stay confident.” Write it down and repeat it like a mantra. Want more ideas? Check out all seven steps for beating stage fright:

Use Your Body to Negotiate for You

This is one of the most powerful negotiating tips I can give you. Prior to a negotiation, most people think about what they want to say, not how they want to say it. It’s crucial to think about your body language to ensure your verbal and nonverbal are aligned and are clearly and effectively communicating your message and desires.

If you’re negotiating job offers from multiple companies and are considering a few different salary negotiation strategies, sending purposeful body language cues is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Here are some body language ideas to start with:

Sit at an angle

Body language, fraud, and ID theft prevention expert Traci Brown recommends addressing your negotiation partner(s) at a 45-degree angle, as opposed to straight-on. When we face people straight on, there can be a nonverbal uneasiness in the room that comes across as confrontational. Arrange your chair at an angle so you come across as more open and receptive.

No clenched fist

Research conducted in the study “Palm Power in the Workplace” found that a clenched fist is a negative nonverbal cue. They found humans tend to close their fists when threatened, such as a woman clutching her purse or someone grabbing the arms of a chair. Keep your hands visible and relaxed.

Carry one bag

Research shows that people who carry more than one item are seen as irresponsible or lazy. Leave your coat with the receptionist and leave your lunch in the car. Combine your purse and briefcase. This way, you’ll appear polished and ready to discuss.

Special Note: Thinking about doing a negotiation over the phone or email? Try not to! Researchers found that face-to-face contact fosters rapport and leads to better negotiating outcomes. Whenever possible, do your negotiation in person or at least on video chat.

Respond to Their Body Language

Now that you’ve learned the ways to master your body language in a negotiation, let’s discuss what to look for in your negotiation partner’s nonverbal.

While you’re discussing various points in your negotiation, make a mental note of the behavior you’re seeing. Some body language cues are positive, meaning they signal agreement and partnership, while other cues are negative, signaling disagreement or disinterest.

Here are a few cues to be on the lookout for:

Positive Cue: Nodding

If they nod while you explain why you deserve a raise or why you want more time off, it means they agree with your reasons and are likely on the same page.

Positive Cue: Leaning

If they lean toward you as you’re speaking, this is a nonverbal sign of partnership and camaraderie. Keep going!

Negative Cue: Blocking

If they block themselves by holding something between the two of you, such as their hands or their coffee mug, it’s a warning sign they don’t like what you’re saying. You can stop their behavior by handing them something, such as a report. It forces them to let go of what they’re holding onto and refocus on you.

Negative Cue: Contempt

If they show a one-sided mouth raise or smirk at you, beware! This is the expression of contempt, which means hatred or disdain. Pause where you are in your communication to revisit your last point to provide further details and clarification.

Action Step: Knowing whether your negotiation counterpart agrees with your request before they give their final answer is a great way for you to tell if you need to try a different approach in your negotiation, or if what you’re saying is working well.

Choose the Right Seat

We discussed in Strategy #7 how to angle your chair to limit confrontation in a negotiation, but how about choosing from a variety of seats?

Not all seats are created equal. It’s not just about conference tables! In a typical office, you might have multiple chair choices. Let’s discuss:

The Low Sofa

Beware the couch! This is the worst seating choice during a negotiation because it puts you beneath the other person in physical space, which gives them more physical and psychological power. I only choose a low sofa or couch if my counterpart also is sitting on the couch next to me or on another one across from me.

In his book Body Language: How to Read Others’ Thoughts by Their Gestures, author Allan Pease argues that people in positions of power also might pick a bigger or higher chair, since people who take up more space are perceived as more confident. He proposed that the higher the back of the chair, the greater the person’s perceived status. Think of a royal throne—the bigger the better!

The Swivel Chair

I love swivel chairs around big conference room tables. They’re great for easily making eye contact. However, if you are jittery or like to rock in your chair, do NOT choose the swivel chair, or else plant yourself in one place if you have to use one. Constant motion can make you look out of control and distracted.

Pillows & Props

Psychologically, we like to have no barriers between us and another person. Be careful of placing pillows, laptops, or clipboards in front of you during your negotiation. You do not want to accidentally block someone, as we discussed in the previous strategy.

Bonus: Tables

If you can choose the negotiation space and the type of table, researcher Yun Chu and colleagues found that a round table actually encourages better meeting facilitation. Fifty-four percent of participants preferred round tables in negotiations and fifty-seven percent believed that a round shape could ease tensions. In another study, researchers found that not having a table at all between two people helps them feel psychologically closer.

Master Your Voice

Your vocal power plays an incredibly important role in your negotiations. Research shows that people decide how trustworthy or dominant you are within seconds of hearing your voice. With judgments being made that fast, you don’t have time to warm up in your negotiation.

If you want people to listen to you and respect your ideas, you must have control over your voice. Here’s how:

Vocal Mirroring

Researchers Alex Pentland and Jared Curhan tested a variety of variables, hoping to influence negotiating outcomes. They found that when middle managers vocally mirrored their interviewer they won more in the negotiation.

Action Step: You can mirror by subtly mimicking someone’s vocal patterns, tone, and volume. Don’t go overboard though–over-mirroring can come across as fake or creepy.

Speak Up!

Alex Pentland also measured speaking time and extroversion and found that both were positively correlated to a better outcome for the negotiators.

Action Step: While you cannot change your extroversion level, don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Good negotiators speak up!

Vocal Prosody

Additionally, Alex Pentland and his research team looked at speech prosody. This is someone’s variation in pitch and volume. They found that more vocal prosody in the first five minutes of a negotiation signals too much emotionality and is a liability for a negotiator. This is an important finding! It means we can have vocal variance, but it needs to come from an emotionally stable place.

Action Step: In the first five minutes of a negotiation, you are better off sounding strong and stable rather than variable and emotional.

Use Video Pre- and Post-Negotiation

Video is a great tool for building rapport, both before and after negotiation. If you have a tense negotiation coming up, you might want to soften up the person before stepping into the room. On the other hand, if you already have had a tense negotiation, you might want to send an email to reconcile and get on the same page. Here are some examples of how I use video:

The pre-rapport video. I often send videos in addition to emails if I know I might get into a price negotiation with someone. Something warm and inviting like this:

If I already had a meeting or negotiation and I want to say thank you, I might send a video like this:

The whole goal is to smooth out any tensions that might arise during a negotiation. Video is an easy, easy way to do this!

Have Other Options

Researchers from the University of Southern California and Stanford found that individuals who prepared other options prior to negotiations had increased bargaining power. Having alternatives prevents you from being dependent on the other person, since you can threaten to take your business elsewhere. 

Case Study: If you’re buying a car, speak to multiple dealers. When you negotiate a lower price on your top choice, you’re more likely to get a better offer if you mention there’s a dealer down the road who’s offering a great discount on a similar car. 

Action Step: Prior to negotiating with your top pick, get estimates from two to three alternatives that you can bring up if the person you’re negotiating with isn’t being flexible. Warning: Don’t use this tactic unless you’re content with your alternatives. Because if the negotiation fails, that’s what you’re getting.

Save this article. Use it to remind yourself that there’s tons of research proving you can become a better negotiator. As you find more and more resources on negotiation, create a folder with tips. Save testimonials or emails from previous bosses, clients, or students to remind you about the great work you can do before you enter the negotiation. You got this!

Further Reading: 

60 thoughts on “How to Negotiate (With 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Win)”

  1. Sorry looks like I’m having a little trouble downloading your money script. Can send it to my email please and t.i.a

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi there! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. The email may be sent to your Promotions or Social folders so be sure to check those if you can’t find it in your inbox! -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. I had the same problem, so I switched browsers. The box shows up on Safari but not on Chrome. Hope that helps 🙂

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Thanks so much for the helpful feedback, Kayli! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  2. Sorry looks like I’m having a little trouble downloading your money script. Can send it to my email please and t.i.a

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi there! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. The email may be sent to your Promotions or Social folders so be sure to check those if you can’t find it in your inbox! -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. I had the same problem, so I switched browsers. The box shows up on Safari but not on Chrome. Hope that helps 🙂

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Thanks so much for the helpful feedback, Kayli! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  3. Sorry looks like I’m having a little trouble downloading your money script. Can send it to my email please and t.i.a

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi there! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. The email may be sent to your Promotions or Social folders so be sure to check those if you can’t find it in your inbox! -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. I had the same problem, so I switched browsers. The box shows up on Safari but not on Chrome. Hope that helps 🙂

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Thanks so much for the helpful feedback, Kayli! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  4. Hello Team Vanessa,

    There’s no link to the bonus money scripts. I’ve noted one of them can really help me in a life situation currently.
    Please send me the link.
    Thank you and stay blessed.

    Warm wishes,

    Raj

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi Raj! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. Hope that helps 🙂 -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. Hi Kensi,

        Tried for two days (including leaving the page on overnight for it to register my email address) with no success. Please help by emailing them to me directly.
        Thanks.

        R

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Hi again, Raj! Thanks for letting us know. Have you tried using Safari to open the article? It should work there- let me know! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  5. Hello Team Vanessa,

    There’s no link to the bonus money scripts. I’ve noted one of them can really help me in a life situation currently.
    Please send me the link.
    Thank you and stay blessed.

    Warm wishes,

    Raj

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi Raj! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. Hope that helps 🙂 -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. Hi Kensi,

        Tried for two days (including leaving the page on overnight for it to register my email address) with no success. Please help by emailing them to me directly.
        Thanks.

        R

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Hi again, Raj! Thanks for letting us know. Have you tried using Safari to open the article? It should work there- let me know! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  6. Hello Team Vanessa,

    There’s no link to the bonus money scripts. I’ve noted one of them can really help me in a life situation currently.
    Please send me the link.
    Thank you and stay blessed.

    Warm wishes,

    Raj

    1. Kensi Science of People

      Hi Raj! At the bottom of the article, there is a box where you can enter your name and email address, and the scripts will be emailed to you. Hope that helps 🙂 -Kensi | Science of People Team

      1. Hi Kensi,

        Tried for two days (including leaving the page on overnight for it to register my email address) with no success. Please help by emailing them to me directly.
        Thanks.

        R

        1. Kensi Science of People

          Hi again, Raj! Thanks for letting us know. Have you tried using Safari to open the article? It should work there- let me know! -Kensi | Science of People Team

  7. All good concepts. I have experienced all in negotiations at one point or another.
    My only issue is that there are too many ideas to integrate at once.
    This is something to print and develop for future interactions.
    Finally, I do not believe they all have equal importance in all kinds of negotiations. Negotiations are not one size fits all.
    Still… an extremely helpful handbook for negotiators-in-development.
    Thank you!

  8. All good concepts. I have experienced all in negotiations at one point or another.
    My only issue is that there are too many ideas to integrate at once.
    This is something to print and develop for future interactions.
    Finally, I do not believe they all have equal importance in all kinds of negotiations. Negotiations are not one size fits all.
    Still… an extremely helpful handbook for negotiators-in-development.
    Thank you!

  9. All good concepts. I have experienced all in negotiations at one point or another.
    My only issue is that there are too many ideas to integrate at once.
    This is something to print and develop for future interactions.
    Finally, I do not believe they all have equal importance in all kinds of negotiations. Negotiations are not one size fits all.
    Still… an extremely helpful handbook for negotiators-in-development.
    Thank you!

  10. Dear Vanessa,

    Thank you very much for all the value you are creating on a regular base. It is a true pleasure to be your customer:) All the best for you, your family and team! Kindest regards

    Ilya

  11. Dear Vanessa,

    Thank you very much for all the value you are creating on a regular base. It is a true pleasure to be your customer:) All the best for you, your family and team! Kindest regards

    Ilya

  12. Dear Vanessa,

    Thank you very much for all the value you are creating on a regular base. It is a true pleasure to be your customer:) All the best for you, your family and team! Kindest regards

    Ilya

  13. Hi Vanessa, I love the video samples you included. Brilliant, and your warmth and engagement come through so clearly!

  14. Hi Vanessa, I love the video samples you included. Brilliant, and your warmth and engagement come through so clearly!

  15. Hi Vanessa, I love the video samples you included. Brilliant, and your warmth and engagement come through so clearly!

  16. Good call on the negotiation tips ,it helped out a lot .I now make more money 💰 . Thanks again.

  17. Good call on the negotiation tips ,it helped out a lot .I now make more money 💰 . Thanks again.

  18. Good call on the negotiation tips ,it helped out a lot .I now make more money 💰 . Thanks again.

  19. Hey Vanessa, You have been simply amazing in your videos and blogs. I was keen to know the answers of the bonus money scripts questions. I had entered by name and email ID but, instead of answers I received a mail with few more steps to complete. Can you let us know if the answered could be sent across separately to the email ID shared?

    1. Kensi Science of People

      The email you’re looking for with the money scripts may be in a Promotions or Spam folder if it isn’t found in your inbox! – Kensi | Science of People Team

  20. Hey Vanessa, You have been simply amazing in your videos and blogs. I was keen to know the answers of the bonus money scripts questions. I had entered by name and email ID but, instead of answers I received a mail with few more steps to complete. Can you let us know if the answered could be sent across separately to the email ID shared?

    1. Kensi Science of People

      The email you’re looking for with the money scripts may be in a Promotions or Spam folder if it isn’t found in your inbox! – Kensi | Science of People Team

  21. Hey Vanessa, You have been simply amazing in your videos and blogs. I was keen to know the answers of the bonus money scripts questions. I had entered by name and email ID but, instead of answers I received a mail with few more steps to complete. Can you let us know if the answered could be sent across separately to the email ID shared?

    1. Kensi Science of People

      The email you’re looking for with the money scripts may be in a Promotions or Spam folder if it isn’t found in your inbox! – Kensi | Science of People Team

    1. Hi Zac! It looks good on our end. Have you tried using a different browser and/or clearing your browser’s cache? Hopefully this helps! Rob | Science of People Team

    1. Hi Zac! It looks good on our end. Have you tried using a different browser and/or clearing your browser’s cache? Hopefully this helps! Rob | Science of People Team

    1. Hi Zac! It looks good on our end. Have you tried using a different browser and/or clearing your browser’s cache? Hopefully this helps! Rob | Science of People Team

  22. Hi there, I would like to download the money scripts but can’t seem to find a way. I’ve tried Safari and Chrome but still can’t find the button. Can someone help me, please? Thanks!

  23. Hi there, I would like to download the money scripts but can’t seem to find a way. I’ve tried Safari and Chrome but still can’t find the button. Can someone help me, please? Thanks!

  24. Hi there, I would like to download the money scripts but can’t seem to find a way. I’ve tried Safari and Chrome but still can’t find the button. Can someone help me, please? Thanks!

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