Negotiation is both an art and a science.

Many of the skills associated with effective negotiations are actually, historically,

feminine strengths.

This is incredible for women entrepreneurs because as business

owners, we will be part of negotiations, whether it is when we are hiring, drafting a proposal,

discussing terms for a speaking contract, or considering a new lease. Today, I cover five tips

to help you hone your negotiating skills, and I bet you

already have mastered many of these. You just may not have put them all together. Negotiating is a skill

that comes naturally to me, but it can make others uncomfortable. My mom would say I was born negotiating.

I remember wanting to get my ears pierced when I was just four years old. I asked my mom

every single day until she finally said yes. I definitely learned the value of persistence

early on. One of the things I love

supporting clients in are their negotiations. These happen every day in our business, but can feel

larger when there is more at stake, like a large corporate contract, a speaking engagement,

a book deal, or a business sale. Even moving from working

with someone hourly to a retainer package involves many of the tools of a great negotiation.

In fact, it is a negotiation. First, let's check in with you. When I say the word negotiation,

how does it make you feel?

How are you feeling physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? How are all the things feeling right now in your body? Check in with your body. Check in with what your brain is saying right now

when I talk about negotiation. Does the back and forth of negotiation excite you or tie your stomach and knots?

Perhaps you have not realized that negotiating is really about understanding others and their

goals and desires and using empathy and active listening.

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