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The 25 Legendary Negotiation Quotes

These legendary negotiation quotes can help you think about new ways on how to go about your negotiation styles, how to become more confident before the actual negotiations, or how to accept your failures and your victories and move on. 

1. “During a negotiation, it would be wise not to take anything personally. If you leave personalities out of it, you will be able to see opportunities more objectively.” – Brian Koslow

2. “Negotiation in the classic diplomatic sense assumes parties are more anxious to agree than to disagree.” – Dean Acheson

3. “The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts.” – Howard Baker

4. “This is a classic negotiation technique. It’s a gentle, soft indication of your disapproval and a great way to keep negotiating. Count to 10. By then, the other person usually will start talking and may very well make a higher offer.” – Bill Coleman

5. “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” – John F. Kennedy

6. “Don’t bargain yourself down before you get to the table.” – Carol Frohlinger

7. “He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of a diplomat.” – Robert Estabrook

8. “You must never try to make all the money that’s in a deal. Let the other fellow make some money too because if you have a reputation for always making all the money, you won’t have many deals.” – J. Paul Getty

9. “The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway.” – Henry Boyle

10. “The worst thing you can say is ‘I want $X for this job,’ leaving no opening for negotiation by the other side. Better language is ‘I hope to earn between $X and $X.’ That gives the other party more flexibility.” – Bill Coleman

11. “If you come to a negotiation table saying you have the final truth, that you know nothing but the truth and that is final, you will get nothing.” – Harri Holkeri

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12. “ The best move you can make in negotiation is to think of an incentive the other person hasn’t even thought of – and then meet it.” – Eli Broad

13. “ Successful negotiation is not about getting to ‘yes’; it’s about mastering ‘no’ and understanding what the path to an agreement is.” – Christopher Voss

14. “ Everything is a negotiation. Everything is a little bit of give and take.” – Lamman Rucker

15. “Conflict is good in a negotiation process… it’s the clash of two ideas, which then, all being well, produces a third idea.” – Luke Roberts

16. “Everything is negotiable. Whether or not the negotiation is easy is another thing.” – Carrie Fisher

17. “Negotiation is empathy. It’s almost trite to say that if you can’t put yourself in the seat of the other person you’re speaking with, you’re not going to do well. It’s not about being a bully, not about making offers people can’t refuse.” – Marc Randolph

18. “The most critical thing in a negotiation is to get inside your opponent’s head and figure out what he really wants.” – Jacob Lew

19. “One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them.”  – Dean Rusk

20. “You do not get what you want. You get what you negotiate.” – Harvey Mackay

21. “Never cut what you can untie.” – Joseph Joubert

22. “Information is a negotiator’s greatest weapon.” – Victor Kiam

23. “So much of life is a negotiation – so even if you’re not in business, you have opportunities to practice all around you.” – Kevin O’Leary

24. “Negotiation is like an athletic contest; Momentum is paramount!!” – Dr. Jim Hennig

25. “If there is negotiation, it must be rooted in mutual respect and concern for the rights of others.” –  John F. Kennedy

Procurement Expert’s Insights on Negotiation Quotes

For this article, we asked an experienced procurement expert to share her insights to help answer common questions about the phases of negotiation.

Featured Download: Enjoying this article? Click here to find out your own negotiation styles so that you can prepare your upcoming negotiation better.

Conclusion

In conclusion, negotiation quotes continue to hold relevance in the modern age of science and technology. While negotiations are increasingly viewed as a science, the wisdom encapsulated in these legendary quotes serves as a timeless source of guidance and inspiration for negotiators.

Experienced negotiators often draw upon these quotes as a source of motivation and a reminder of the art and skill involved in successful negotiation. These quotes can provide valuable insights, whether it’s in shaping negotiation strategies, building confidence, or navigating through the complexities of procurement processes.