Chris Voss opens this brilliant negotiation book with a genius attention-grabber. He hooks you from the very beginning with "We've got your son, Voss. Give us one million dollars or he dies." I'm not going to spoil the surprise; you'll have to read it to find out how the story ends.

Chris Voss worked his way up to the lead hostage negotiator for the FBI - A position in which failure is not an option, nor is splitting the difference.

What this book is not

He doesn't teach you how to strong-arm your opponent or show you manipulation strategies. This book is not about being a bully to get the things you want. It's not about trickery nor about win-lose negotiations.

What this book is

To call this a negotiation book doesn't do it justice. It's far from your typical negotiation book. It's a communication book. It's a learn how to make friends book. It's a earn a higher salary book. It's a strengthen your marriage book. It's a get a better deal on a car book. It's something that will help you in just about every aspect of your life.

How can it be all those things?

Voss teaches you communication, he teaches you empathy, and he shows you how to actively listen. With the lessons in this book, you learn how to get people to let their guard down by showing them you genuinely know where they're coming from. People will like you more, they'll trust you, and they'll give you what you want. Your opponent will reveal information they would've otherwise kept guarded and will end up negotiating against themselves.

Applying the principles to my life

I'll be reading this book again, in fact, probably several more times. I still have a lot of work to do before I'll master these concepts, but I've begun to apply them in my personal life with amazing results.

For example, the author teaches you to List the worst things that the other party could say about you and say them before the other person can. This allows you to head off negative dynamics before they take root.

I can't count the number of times I've done something really stupid and my annoyed girlfriend says something along the lines of "Why would you say/do that?!?" Before reading this book, this may have turned into an argument.

But after learning these lessons, I simply reply "Because I'm an idiot."

Situation diffused. She can't be mad at me after I say that. In fact, depending on how mad she was, it can even make her laugh.

Book Giveaway - 3 Hardcover Copies!

In addition to my copy, I have three hardcover copies to give away! With an $18 book price plus $20 or more for international shipping, this is going to get expensive quickly, so I had to draw the line at three free books. If you're in the US, this will be much cheaper for me, but I'm opening this giveaway up to anyone, regardless of location.

How To Enter - Leave a comment saying you want a chance to win.

• Click "Reply" below this post
• Copy & Paste "Please enter me into the book giveaway."
• Click "Post"

You can also leave a substantive top-line comment and you'll automatically be entered.

How the winner will be determined:

• After payout, I'll count the number of top-level comments.
• Assume there are 100 comments, I'll use a random number generator to pick three numbers between 1 and 100
• If the number is "14" and you have the 14th top-level comment, you win! I'll reply to your comment and try to get in touch through steemit.chat.

How to get disqualified:

• Leave more than one top-level comment. (Replying to an existing comment is just fine; it will not count as an entry.)
• Comment from sock-puppet accounts.

I just ask that you have integrity and give others an equal chance of winning. Also, please only enter the drawing if you're going to read the book.

Upvotes and resteems are NOT required for a chance to win.

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