Over the past 17 years or so that I’ve been a professional negotiator, I’ve learned a ton. About what tends to work in negotiation, what doesn’t work, and how people make decisions. Every day, I think about negotiation strategy and tactics, and how I can improve as a mediator and facilitator of conflict resolution.

As I’ve gained experience and constantly consider the art of negotiation, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn toward a Stoic approach to managing conflict.

What am I talking about, you ask? Great question.

We can all become better negotiators. Better resolvers of conflict at home and at work. More effective decision-makers and problem-solvers.

[If that sounds good to you, read more here.]

We can use Stoic lessons to help reach better outcomes and build stronger relationships in negotiation settings. We won’t get too deep into history lessons, and we don’t need to profile the great Stoic philosophers who have lived over the years. We also won’t get wrapped up in hypothetical theories or provide witty conversation bites for your next cocktail reception.

I’m no philosophy expert, and even a lifetime isn’t enough to study and master Stoicism. But we can all use ideas coming from or relating to this philosophy that are simply effective. They’re practical, they make sense. And I’ve seen them work to resolve disputes for literally thousands of parties. They help people get more of what they want and need from their relationships with others.

I’ve found that there are certain basic, Stoic principles that can directly inform our negotiation strategy and tactics. I will weave these principles through a number of practical negotiating tips and tools you can use virtually every day of your life. Learning from the ancient Stoics, and from others reflecting Stoic teachings, we can apply certain bedrock principles directly to negotiations and reach more consistently satisfactory outcomes in business and personal endeavors.

You could spend years reading the Stoics, studying the likes of Seneca, Epictetus, Zeno, Marcus Aurelius, Cato, and others. Perhaps you’ve already begun your journey, or maybe you’re now hearing of Stoicism for the first time. Either way, our goal here is shining a light on how a time-tested philosophy can influence and improve your negotiation skills and, thereby, your life and relationships.

[Read along, join the conversation, and find your inner Stoic.]

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