Cyran has negotiated all of life; her parents raised her with the mantra ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’ and consequently she has made a successful career with this way of thinking. Cyran’s day-to-day work throughout her career has influenced what she knows about negotiation. Whilst at university she was selected to join the negotiation team and compete nationally during her undergraduate degree and again whilst at law school. Fast-forward to today and Cyran has negotiated multi-million dollar deals working for international companies including Amazon, Vodafone, The Economist and Disney and now mentors other professionals who want to develop and sharpen their negotiation skills.
Mastering how to successfully negotiate has the power to transform your life. So here is a recap of the key discussion points covered in Cyran's workshop:
Understanding Negotiation: The workshop began with a fundamental understanding of what negotiation is and what it entails. Cyran describes it as a strategic discussion between two parties aimed at resolving issues and coming to an agreement for both parties in a manner both find mutually beneficial and acceptable.
Embracing a Negotiation Mindset: The workshop encouraged participants to adopt a mindset where everything in life is negotiable. They were urged to volunteer for projects that interest them, pursue their personal and professional goals, and not let the fear of rejection hold them back.
The Power of Negotiating: Cyran encouraged participants to view negotiation as a transformative skill, if used correctly can have the power and potential of postively steering your life's course. By leading negotiations with strong questions, individuals can ask for more in various areas of their life. Asking potent questions leads to collating vital information, which in turn leads to asking for more—more in terms of finances, relationships, clarity, and satisfaction.
Overcoming Fear: One of the major hurdles in negotiation is fear. Cyran highlighted common fears and negative self-talk that often hinder women when it comes to negotiating. These fears include concerns about being taken advantage of, feeling unprepared, fear of the unknown, fear of being perceived as being 'too pushy' and discomfort when discussing money.
The Role of Self-Esteem: The correlation between self-esteem and negotiation success was a significant theme. How one views and values themselves directly impacts how others perceive them. Self-worth is a key factor in claiming value during negotiations. Working on self-esteem can boost relationship-building skills and enhance negotiation abilities.
The Cost of Failing to Negotiate: Cyran shared eye-opening statistics that illustrated the significant financial and career impacts of not negotiating. Participants were asked to reflect on how uncomfortable they were willing to make themselves by not asking for what they deserve.
Effective Negotiation Strategies: The workshop delved into strategies and techniques for successful negotiation. Members learnt how to strike a balance between assertiveness and collaboration, as well as the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence in negotiation.
Active Listening: Active listening, open body language, and acknowledging gestures were discussed as essential elements of effective negotiation.
Cultivating Relationships: Building personal relationships was emphasised to create emotional and psychological safety during negotiations. Creative problem-solving and a mindset of mutual benefit were highlighted.
Preparation: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Cyran stressed the importance of being well-prepared for negotiations. This involves research and a willingness to discuss strengths, skills, experiences, and the value one can bring. Cyran offered members a practical go-to negotiation formula that can be applied in various scenarios. Participants also received negotiation scripts to practice with each other during the workshop and implement in their daily lives beyond the summit.
Turning Rejection into Opportunity: Rejection and getting a NO in negotiation was reframed as a "Next Opportunity," encouraging members to view it as a chance to learn, improve and be optimistic for bigger and better opportunities.
Negotiation is a powerful skill that empowers individuals to shape and create the lives they want. The art of negotiation is about steering conversations strategically to reach mutually acceptable outcomes, and it can be a transformative force. The Power to Negotiate workshop offered attendees a practical negotiation formula that can be applied in various scenario and they also received negotiation scripts to practice with each other during the workshop and implement after the summit. Ultimately leaving them feeling more confident about their everyday negotiation prowess.
From establishing boundaries in friendships, advocating for your needs in romantic relationships or finding a balance between household responsibilities with family and your house mates; understanding how to master the art of negotiation is important for women not just in their career but also in being able to effectively navigate everyday situations. Whilst many people insist that having a successful career and a life you enjoy outside of it requires ‘juggling’, Cyran suggests that you negotiate everything that is important to you instead of being satisfied with what you’re given. When it comes to salary, flexible working arrangements, relationships negotiate it all to create a life that works for you and revisit them often. She shares how she navigates a career, her work style and motherhood with her community on @corporatestylestory.
For those who missed the session in person, the replay is available, and Stack World members can watch it to unlock the transformative power of negotiation. Join the conversation and watch the replay on Stack TV.
