SYSK TRENDING-How to Negotiate by Asking the Right Questions
5/5/202627 min
For a lot of people, the idea of negotiating feels uncomfortable—something to avoid if possible. It can feel confrontational, awkward, or even risky. But what if negotiating didn’t have to be that way? What if it wasn’t about pushing harder or being more aggressive—but simply about asking better questions? It turns out that the most effective negotiators don’t rely on pressure or persuasion nearly as much as you might think. Instead, they guide conversations in a way that uncovers what really matters to the other person—and to themselves. And that shift can completely change the outcome. Alexandra Carter, Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School, has spent years teaching people how to negotiate more effectively. In her book Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything (https://amzn.to/2T6WaY8), she outlines a simple but powerful framework built around asking the right questions at the right time. In our conversation, she explains how this approach works, why it’s often more effective than traditional negotiating tactics, and how you can use it in everyday situations—from work conversations to personal decisions—without feeling uncomfortable or confrontational. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AQUA TRU: Take the guesswork out of pure, great-tasting water. Head to https://AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promo code SYSK. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee or your money back. POCKET HOSE: For a limited time, when you purchase a new Pocket Hose Ballistic, you'll get a FREE 360 degree rotating pocket pivot and a FREE thumb drive nozzle! Just text SYSK to 64000 RULA: This Mental Health Awareness Month, don’t just think about your mental health - actually take the step to take care of it. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started. QUINCE: Refresh your everyday with luxury you will actual use! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: It's time to turn those "what ifs" into CHA CHING with Shopify Today! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/sysk PLANET VISIONARIES : We love the Planet Visionaries podcast! In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you are listening to this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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First 90 secondsAlex Honnold· Soundbite0:00
[gentle music] I'm Alex Honnold, professional rock climber and founder of the Honnold Foundation. I wanted to let you know about a brand new season of the Planet Visionaries podcast, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. This is the podcast exploring bold ideas and big solutions from the people leading the way in conservation. Join me in conversation with the likes of climate champion Mark Ruffalo, biologist and photographer Cristina Mittermeier, and one of the most successful conservations of our time, Chris Tompkins. Join us on Planet Visionaries wherever you get your podcasts.
Mike Carruthers· Host0:27
[upbeat music] Negotiation is everywhere, in politics, business, and in almost every part of our daily lives. When you think about negotiation, you might picture hard bargains, firm demands, and carefully crafted arguments. But what if the real power in negotiation isn't what you say, it's what you ask? And that's why today's SYSK trending topic is how to negotiate by asking the right questions. In my conversation with negotiation expert Alexandra Carter, we'll discuss how the right questions can completely change the outcome of a conversation, whether you're negotiating a salary, resolving a conflict, or just trying to get to yes. So what should you be asking, and when? And how do you use questions to steer the conversation in your favor? We'll find out right after