Did you know that you negotiate every single day—and not just in boardrooms or sales meetings?

From discussing PTO with your boss to deciding dinner plans with your partner, negotiation is everywhere.

But how often do we approach these conversations with strategy and confidence?

In this episode of the Improve It! Podcast, Erin uncovers the secrets to navigating everyday negotiations with expert Kwame Christian.

Kwame Christian is a renowned negotiation expert, speaker, and author, with years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate difficult conversations with confidence.

He is the Director of the American Negotiation Institute and the author of the acclaimed book Finding Confidence in Conflict.

Here are 5 of our favorite takeaways from the conversation:

1. Negotiation Is Everywhere

Kwame challenges listeners to recognize that negotiation happens far beyond formal boardroom settings. Whether asking for time off, resolving workplace conflicts, or navigating personal relationships, we negotiate daily. Becoming aware of these moments is the first step toward mastering them.

P.S. - If you’re interested in learning more about negotiation from top experts in the field, try this episode on for size: Episode 231: Ready to Negotiate Like a Pro in High-Stake Conversations? Tune in with FBI Insider Chris Voss

2. The Compassionate Curiosity Framework

Kwame introduces a simple yet effective three-step method for approaching challenging conversations:

1.     Acknowledge and Validate Emotions: Lower emotional tension by recognizing the other person’s feelings.

2.     Get Curious with Compassion: Ask open-ended questions to build trust and gather information.

3.     Joint Problem Solving: Collaborate to find mutually beneficial solutions.

3. Emotion Management is Key

During the role-play, Kwame demonstrated how validating emotions helps de-escalate tension and fosters a more productive dialogue. For example, he acknowledged Erin’s hypothetical frustrations about PTO limits, which set the stage for a constructive discussion.

4. Curiosity Builds Trust

By asking open-ended questions with genuine curiosity, you gain valuable insights and strengthen relationships. Kwame’s approach emphasized the importance of tone and empathy to keep conversations on track and uncover win-win opportunities.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

Role-playing challenging scenarios, as Erin and Kwame did, is a practical way to build confidence and refine your negotiation skills. Kwame’s advice? Push yourself to handle even the most unreasonable counterpart with calmness and clarity.

Conclusion

This episode is a masterclass in handling difficult conversations with grace and effectiveness. Kwame Christian’s Compassionate Curiosity framework is a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills, whether at work or home.

If you loved this episode and know someone who might benefit from it, please share it by copying the link and sending them a quick text/email. Sharing is caring!

 

 

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight from Kwame and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.
• Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”
• Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. 

Show Links

• Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it here.

Connect with Kwame Christian

• Kwame’s company website
• Kwame’s LinkedIn
• Kwame’s podcast: Negotiate Anything
• Kwame’s books: How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond & Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life 

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website
• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• improve it!’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram