Life as a Negotiation

Parenting

The Art of Parenting as Children Move Toward Independence

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on August 30, 2024

Especially as children move toward independence, parenting requires considerable skill at negotiation. Here's a framework.

Especially as children move toward independence, parenting requires considerable skill at negotiation. Here's a framework.

Trauma

Navigating Past Family Trauma

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on July 26, 2024

Family trauma, stemming from experiences such as abuse, neglect, addiction, or mental illness, can have lasting impact on emotional well-being and interaction style.

Family trauma, stemming from experiences such as abuse, neglect, addiction, or mental illness, can have lasting impact on emotional well-being and interaction style.

Identity

Reimagining Nationalism

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on July 5, 2024

In an increasingly interconnected world, traditional nationalism, often rooted in the competitive mindset of "We're the best," can lead to unnecessary conflict and division.

In an increasingly interconnected world, traditional nationalism, often rooted in the competitive mindset of "We're the best," can lead to unnecessary conflict and division.

Fear

The Fear Factor in Family Negotiations

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on July 1, 2024

Negotiation extends beyond boardrooms and business deals; it permeates personal lives as well.

Negotiation extends beyond boardrooms and business deals; it permeates personal lives as well.

Assertiveness

What Seasonal Transitions Reveal About Negotiation Success

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on June 10, 2024

There's a lot to be learned about negotiation success in preparing for seasonal transitions.

There's a lot to be learned about negotiation success in preparing for seasonal transitions.

Happiness

Finding Joy in the Journey

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on May 31, 2024

How to make every day of life's journey as rewarding as achieving big goals.

How to make every day of life's journey as rewarding as achieving big goals.

Fantasies

How to Stop Being a Fool in Negotiations (and Beyond)

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on April 28, 2024

Everyone fears being made to look foolish. What really constitutes foolishness is the inability to separate fiction from fact,

Everyone fears being made to look foolish. What really constitutes foolishness is the inability to separate fiction from fact,

Relationships

How to Negotiate Better Romantic Relationships

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on February 28, 2024

The average person spends time preparing and planning for business negotiations, yet fails to do so for their more important personal and intimate relationships.

The average person spends time preparing and planning for business negotiations, yet fails to do so for their more important personal and intimate relationships.

Motivation

How to Get Through the Mid-January Slump

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on January 22, 2024

As January passes its midpoint, most people’s New Years’ resolutions have already fallen by the wayside.

As January passes its midpoint, most people’s New Years’ resolutions have already fallen by the wayside.

Career

Negotiating Overwhelm at Work

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on June 29, 2023

Who hasn’t had a moment when a seemingly ever-ringing cell phone or pinging email alerts have triggered an urge to throw all the devices away?

Who hasn’t had a moment when a seemingly ever-ringing cell phone or pinging email alerts have triggered an urge to throw all the devices away?

Deception

Negotiating with a Liar

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on May 5, 2023

Negotiations with a liar often yield unsatisfactory results, leading to frustration, anger, disbelief, and reactivity. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Negotiations with a liar often yield unsatisfactory results, leading to frustration, anger, disbelief, and reactivity. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Relationships

Breaking Free from Playing Small

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on April 30, 2023

The sad fact is that as early as kindergarten, young girls start diminishing themselves.

The sad fact is that as early as kindergarten, young girls start diminishing themselves.

Bias

Common Invisible Negotiation Mistakes

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on September 27, 2022

Everyone makes mistakes. This is true in life generally and in negotiations.

Everyone makes mistakes. This is true in life generally and in negotiations.

Confidence

There's a Place for Sensuality in Negotiations

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on August 5, 2022

Sensuality and negotiation are not words commonly used together. However, sensuality and sensual confidence are very important in a negotiation.

Sensuality and negotiation are not words commonly used together. However, sensuality and sensual confidence are very important in a negotiation.

Confidence

Negotiating Equality Does Not Mean Being the Same

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on July 18, 2022

Women have been negotiating for equality for some time. While progress has undoubtedly been made, the reality is that there is still a significant gap.

Women have been negotiating for equality for some time. While progress has undoubtedly been made, the reality is that there is still a significant gap.

Fear

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on June 7, 2022

Respect is an important element of negotiation. It’s important to give respect and to earn it.

Respect is an important element of negotiation. It’s important to give respect and to earn it.

Fear

How to Exert Real Power in Negotiations

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on June 1, 2022

From politics to finance to work (or even schoolyard) dynamics, everyone seems to seek power.

From politics to finance to work (or even schoolyard) dynamics, everyone seems to seek power.

Sport and Competition

Busting the Top 10 Myths About Negotiation

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on May 27, 2022

All of life is a negotiation, yet little is taught about it. Unsubscribing from these 10 common myths can make you a better negotiator.

All of life is a negotiation, yet little is taught about it. Unsubscribing from these 10 common myths can make you a better negotiator.

Self-Esteem

Managing Shame, Guilt, and Self-Esteem in Negotiations

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on March 31, 2022

Until relatively recently, negotiation experts and academics rarely talked about the role of emotion in influencing outcomes.

Until relatively recently, negotiation experts and academics rarely talked about the role of emotion in influencing outcomes.

Anger

How to Negotiate with Angry People

Cindy Watson B.A., LLB, JD on March 24, 2022

Everyone faces an angry negotiating counterpart at some point. Yet few people have strategies in place to manage dealing with these situations.

Everyone faces an angry negotiating counterpart at some point. Yet few people have strategies in place to manage dealing with these situations.