russia has launched a full-scale war in Ukraine. Donate to support Ukraine and protect the world’s peace.

Getting to Yes

summary ofGetting to YesBook by Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton

15 min
00:00
/
00:00
Get full summary

You’ll learn

  • Secrets to principled negotiation
  • How emotions shape deals
  • Crafting win-win options
  • Navigating negotiation pitfalls

first KEY POINT

The idea of negotiation has been widely misconstrued

Negotiation is a concept that is almost impossible to avoid in our daily lives. It is needed to get the best bargains, and we negotiate to get an improved paycheck. Negotiations also occur when we want other people to see things from our perspective. Although we have engaged in the art of negotiating since we were kids, very few have discovered the right strategy to ensure that negotiations generate wise agreements.A wise agreement is an agreement that benefits the interests of each party to any extent possible. This will solve conflicts in a fair way, ensuring that the interests of the community are taken into account. Of course, it’s often the case that people with a problem such as this rarely reach a fair agreement and the argument continues. Therefore, it’s vital that we look carefully at any issues that could lead to unfair or uneven negotiations.

More so, there is a lingering misconception that effective negotiators are those who know how to stall, until the opposing party tires and gives in. In addition to this, many assume that in order to get your own way, you need to push your own opinions firmly. Of course, both options may succeed for a short amount of time but when you push your views onto others, over time this leads to relationship problems and resentment.

Negotiations are essential because they are crucial to us getting what we want.

It is not surprising that the demand for tactical negotiation frameworks has increased exponentially, as both the business and social world have slowly moved from a hierarchical system to a networking model. Therefore, we are seeing a revolution of sorts that only the equipped will thrive in. Having said that, it is imperative that nations, companies, communities, and individuals find a balance between hard bargaining and soft positioning, which the next chapter will explore at length.Negotiations require wit, focus, and finding a level-playing field to initiate a successful bargain. Good negotiators understand the techniques required, and why it's essential to study the other party very well. Continue through the next chapters to understand these techniques and how they can change your life.

second KEY POINT

Selling ideas without hard and soft bargaining

When negotiating, it’s often the case that each person will choose a standpoint. Then, they will put forward their case, aiming to push the other person into agreeing with them, or abandoning their view. This strategy often causes people to act in extreme ways to try and gain the upperhand.A good example of this is when customers and retailers negotiate a price. It’s possible that the seller could give a price that is far over and above the actual cost value. So, they could say $100 when the product actually only costs $40. But, the buyer could choose to bid at $30. Both the seller and the customer have chosen their position.A seller chooses the higher price because they assume that in the end, the customer will pay a price that still gives them a profit. In effect, they’re tricking the customer into paying a higher price than the product is worth, possibly around $60. The issue here is that when negotiating, it’s easy to become blind to what the other person is actually trying to achieve. You’re seeing common ground that isn’t real and that could lead to a disadvantage for you.Yet another problem with negotiations such as this is that it’s often that both people look at different ways to put their position forward. Hard bargaining often fails, including threats or being overly pushy. But, they could opt for a position of soft bargaining. In most cases, this means they’re likely to reach an agreement without creating tension.

book cover

Continue reading with Headway app

Continue reading

Full summary is waiting for you in the app

first KEY POINT

A better negotiation strategy is to attack the problem, not the person

second KEY POINT

Advance negotiations: Reveal interests, express concerns

third KEY POINT

What do you do when the negotiator is more powerful?

fourth KEY POINT

Be aware of the numerous dirty tricks that negotiators utilize

fifth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Roger Fisher is a Harvard Law professor and negotiation expert. William Ury, co-founder of Harvard's Program on Negotiation and Bruce Patton, a distinguished Harvard co-founder, focus on war prevention and negotiation practices.

Join 55+ million learners worldwide

172K 5 reviews on App Store and Google Play

Get started

Frequently asked questions

What is Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In about?

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, written by Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton, explores principled negotiation techniques aimed at reaching mutually beneficial agreements. The book emphasizes separating people from the problem and focusing on interests rather than positions, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their negotiation skills.

What are the key takeaways from Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In?

Key takeaways from Getting to Yes include the concepts of mutual gains, the importance of interests over positions, and the idea of developing options for mutual benefits. Additionally, the book stresses the significance of objective criteria in resolving disputes, thereby encouraging collaborative solutions instead of competitive bargaining.

Is Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In worth reading?

Yes, Getting to Yes is worth reading for anyone involved in negotiations, whether in personal or professional contexts. Its practical strategies and clear insights have helped countless individuals improve their negotiation outcomes and foster better relationships.

How many pages is Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In and when was it published?

Getting to Yes has approximately 240 pages and was first published in 1981. This classic book has since become a foundational text in negotiation and conflict resolution.

Who are the authors of Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In?

The authors of Getting to Yes are Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. Their collective expertise in negotiation and conflict resolution has enriched the field, making this book an essential read for negotiators.