Prof KRG

A practical resource for all writers.

  • Writing
    • Quotables
    • Nerd Notes
  • Leadership
    • Pub Manual 101 Series
  • Mental Health
  • Readings
    • Prof KRG’s Bookstore
    • Nonfiction
    • Fiction
    • 2023 Reading List
    • 2022 Reading List
    • 2021 Reading List
    • 2020 Reading List
    • 2019 Reading List
    • 2018 Reading List
    • 2017 Reading List
    • 2016 Reading List
    • 2015 Reading List
    • 2014 Reading List
    • 2013 Reading List
    • Blogs Worth Reading
    • Podcasts Worth Hearing

Book Review: Getting More, How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life #100Books

January 15, 2013 by Kenna Griffin

I love my mother. Of course I do, she’s my mother, right?

Getting MoreI do not, however, always enjoy going out to eat with my mother. Mom is extremely picky about food. As a result, I’m not sure I recall ever dining out with my mother and her being happy with the result. She sends her food back—a lot. I understand that my mom is just trying to get what she pays for, but I’ve always found the practice a bit embarrassing.

I never send food back at restaurants. Ever. In fact, I’ve actually paid for meals, not eaten a bite and then stopped for fast food on the way home. There’s certainly no negotiation there. I’m the clear loser.

Maybe it’s just adolescent angst played out in adulthood, but I just can’t do it.

I also never ask for discounts or attempt to barter goods. It’s not that I want to pay more, I’m just embarrassed by the negotiation process.

I learned a lot about how to negotiate for various items in Stuart Diamond‘s book, Getting More: How You Can Negotiate to Succeed in Work and Life.

I’m unlikely to use much of the advice Diamond provided about negotiating for tangible items such as travel or service discounts. But I will use his advice for less tangible negotiations like those dealing with relationships in the workplace and with children.

Diamond’s advice about seeing the pictures in the other person’s head and controlling emotion really are critical in any exchange process, whether it be for goods or information or in attempts at persuasion.

Overall, Diamond’s book was a fast and worthy, yet repetitive, read. It would be beneficial to those in sales-related industries or those who aren’t embarrassed by bartering. Otherwise, it’s a good book for better understanding human interactions and relationship building.

Related Posts:

  • My 28 Favorite Fiction Books of 2021
    My 28 Favorite Fiction Books of 2021
  • My 32 Favorite Fiction Books of 2022
    My 32 Favorite Fiction Books of 2022
  • My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
    My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

Please let me know what resources you need or topics you wish you better understood. If I don't know the information, I'm happy to seek out someone who does.

Contact me via email at kennagriffin@gmail.com.

Quotables

Do your own thing on your own terms and get what you came here for.

— Oliver James

About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

The archive

Prof KRG Insider

  • About
  • Contact
  • My Toolbox

Copyright© 2023, Kenna Griffin