Title: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
Author: Chris Voss
First published May 17, 2016
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.37
Overview
In this gripping book, Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, shares his field-tested approach to negotiating in high-stakes situations. Drawing on his experiences policing the dangerous streets of Kansas City and negotiating with bank robbers and terrorists, Voss reveals the secrets to his success in saving lives.
Never Split the Difference is a practical guide that takes you inside the world of high-stakes negotiations and teaches you the nine effective principles that you can use to become more persuasive in both your professional and personal life. Whether you’re negotiating in the boardroom or at home, this book will equip you with the counterintuitive tactics and strategies you need to come out on top.
About the Author
Chris Voss has spent 24 years with the FBI and is now a top authority on negotiation skills. He founded The Black Swan Group, which helps Fortune 500 companies navigate through difficult negotiations.
Voss has taught at numerous business schools, including Harvard University, MIT’s Sloan School of Management, and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Editoral Review
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss is a masterpiece in the genre of business and leadership. Published on May 17, 2016, the book has quickly become a must-read for anyone who wants to hone their negotiation skills and learn the art of persuasive communication.
Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator who has spent decades mastering the art of negotiation, and Never Split the Difference reflects his vast experience and expertise. The book explores the key principles of effective negotiation and provides practical tips and techniques that can be applied in real-life situations.
Voss uses his personal stories and examples from his professional career to demonstrate how his negotiation strategies work in high-stakes scenarios. The book’s main focus is on what Voss calls “tactical empathy” – the ability to understand the other person’s perspective and emotions while advocating for one’s own interests.
Voss argues that the traditional win-win approach to negotiations is often too idealistic and that people are more likely to achieve their goals by adopting a more assertive and unconventional approach.
Never Split the Difference is not just a guidebook for negotiation tactics but also a fascinating exploration of human behavior and psychology.
Voss delves into the science behind emotional intelligence and explains how to leverage it to influence people and build stronger relationships. He draws on research from fields such as neuroscience, psychology, and sociology to support his recommendations.
Voss also presents a compelling case for the relevance of his book in today’s world. He argues that we are all negotiators, whether we realize it or not, and that the principles of negotiation can be applied to everything from business deals to romantic relationships.
Furthermore, Voss suggests that these strategies can be used not only to resolve conflicts but also to prevent them from arising in the first place. One of the book’s strengths is Voss’s ability to blend storytelling and instruction seamlessly.
His anecdotes are engaging and often entertaining, making the book a pleasure to read. At the same time, his instructions are clear and actionable, with practical tips at the end of each chapter.
However, there are a few weaknesses in Never Split the Difference that are worth noting. Some readers may find Voss’s writing style overly simplistic or repetitive at times.
Additionally, while the book is packed with useful tips and strategies, some chapters feel less relevant or less actionable than others. Overall, Never Split the Difference is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills.
It is engaging, insightful, and practical, with a wealth of information that can be applied in any situation. Although the book does have some limitations, they are minor compared to the overall strength of the work.
Given its relevance to a broad range of readers, I would highly recommend Never Split the Difference to anyone looking to enhance their communication and leadership skills. It is particularly useful for entrepreneurs, managers, salespeople, and anyone in a leadership role.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a solid 9 for its effectiveness and usefulness.
