Are You Leading Negotiations Or Are External Circumstances Leading YOU?

I've seen it happen repeatedly during negotiations I've mediated (and when I used to represent clients as a litigation barrister) in law and the workplace.

The difference between success and failure may not be what you think.

It's not about:
❌relying on experience alone - treating negotiations like a rinse-and-repeat exercise means missing the nuances that drive real influence 
❌ being tough and aggressive- this turns the negotiation into a battle of egos, making it harder to reach an agreement
❌ projecting you have all the answers and letting the other side know how wrong they are - great negotiators stop seeing people as wrong and see them as human

It is about:
✅ mastering preparation - firstly preparing yourself: your mindset and emotions, then the client's, substantive issues and how to leverage what's important for optimal outcomes - ready to ask questions and lean into curiosity - which gets results
✅ reading the room - every negotiation requires adjusting to personalities and handling emotions - listening judgement-free - walls come down, defences drop
✅ confident - not using title or experience to overpower; great negotiators influence with leadership presence, they pause, have clarity, and are trustworthy.

Don't take my word for it.

This is what happens when people work with me using the latter leadership principles for resolving conflict and negotiating:

VS. Principal Solicitor: "Louise treated me and my client as important and with skill. She was well prepared and accessible, easy to approach and committed to adding value. She was positive and built rapport with me and my client. Her skills were instrumental in resolving the matter."

AW - Director: Louise helped bring about the settlement at mediation in difficult circumstances...This was accomplished mainly through her interactions with a challenging party. I would definitely recommend and refer Louise."

How can you be sure these techniques work? 

Because Harvard has tested them, they have also been tested in high performance, emotional intelligence, and leadership methods.

It's not just theory or fluff.

They don't only help them - they also help you. 

These fundamental leadership skills work in the real legal and business world. 

If you want to be a leader who is a masterful negotiator and can handle any situation, hoping you'll figure it out in the moment or relying on experience alone, hoping for the best isn't your ideal strategy. 

When you learn to be a masterful leader who leads negotiations, you'll never settle for less than what's possible. 

Try these next time you're at a mediation or negotiation. 

Master the right preparation.
Listen judgment-free. 
Influence, don't try to overpower or get tough. 

You'll be surprised with how far it takes you.

Book your next mediation with Louise HERE: