Tutorial

Negotiation

The art and science of reaching agreements that serve your interests while maintaining relationships.

Tutorial·Difficulty: Intermediate·7 chapters·Updated Apr 19, 2026

Chapters

About this tutorial

The art and science of reaching agreements that serve your interests while maintaining relationships.

Contents

FileDescription
01-fundamentals.mdCore principles, mindset, and the nature of negotiation
02-preparation.mdResearch, planning, and setting up for success
03-tactics.mdTechniques, moves, and counter-moves
04-salary-compensation.mdJob offers, raises, promotions, and benefits
05-business-deals.mdContracts, partnerships, and commercial agreements
06-everyday-negotiations.mdVendors, services, purchases, and daily life
07-difficult-situations.mdHandling conflict, bad faith, and power imbalances

Why This Matters

Everything is negotiable. Salary, contracts, prices, deadlines, responsibilities, relationships. Most people leave significant value on the table because they:

  • Don't realize something is negotiable
  • Feel uncomfortable asking
  • Don't know how to ask effectively
  • Accept the first offer

A single successful salary negotiation can be worth hundreds of thousands over a career. A single bad contract can cost you years.

Core Philosophy

  1. Negotiation is not conflict - It's collaborative problem-solving
  2. Never accept the first offer - There's almost always room
  3. The person who cares less has more power - Develop alternatives
  4. Preparation beats talent - Research and planning win
  5. Relationships matter - Today's counterpart is tomorrow's ally

Quick Start

If you're about to negotiate something right now:

  1. Read 02-preparation.md - Know your BATNA and their constraints
  2. Read the relevant situation chapter (salary, business, everyday)
  3. Practice out loud before the conversation