Aspire for More: How to be an Everyday Negotiator

Have you ever spent weeks preparing for a negotiation only to freeze when it came time to make the actual ask?  Have you ever walked away from an important conversation, replaying everything you should have said differently?  In Part 2 of this two-part episode, we continue Ann's story as she navigates the emotional rollercoaster that often comes with high stakes negotiations. After doing exte...

Have you ever walked into a performance review knowing you've done exceptional work, only to realize the decision about your compensation may have already been made?  Have you wondered how to advocate for a salary increase when the process itself feels unclear—or even nonexistent?  And what happens when you discover that the negotiation you thought you were having is actually way more complic...

Have you ever felt stuck in a negotiation, like you had no real choice but to accept what was offered? Or wondered why some people seem to command better outcomes without being aggressive or confrontational?  What if the difference wasn’t confidence alone, but the strength of their backup plan?  In this episode, I’m sharing how to build a strong BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement),...

Have you ever walked into a negotiation thinking you have to look confident, puffed up your feathers, and had a bit of a “wing it” approach? Or wanted something more, perhaps a salary increase, but didn’t really know what to ask for? In Part 2, I’ll be talking about the “I,” “R,” and “E” of the ASPIRE framework. You should definitely listen to Part 1 first so you can fully understand the foundatio...

Have you ever walked into a negotiation feeling unsure where to start, or wondered why doing “all the right things” still didn’t get you the outcome you hoped for? What if the problem isn’t your confidence or your ask, but the lack of a clear system guiding your decisions? In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the ASPIRE ™ framework, the six-step system I created to help clients...

Have you ever wondered how far you can push for what you need at work without burning bridges—or how your negotiation can create lasting change for everyone in your organization? In this episode, our caller Naeha, a manager at a small U.S. nonprofit, shares the continuation of her negotiation journey for parental leave. After discovering a major leadership transition that gave her unexpected lever...

What would you do if your workplace didn’t have a maternity leave policy—and you were about to need one? Would you risk asking for something that’s never been done before? Or walk away from a job you’ve helped build? In this episode, our caller, Naeha, a manager at a small nonprofit, returns with a powerful update. When we first met her, she had just lost a valued team member who quit over the org...

Many women spend hours building pitch decks, collecting data, and rehearsing persuasive talking points for negotiations—only to unintentionally weaken their position the moment they enter the room.  The issue often isn’t the ask itself, but the posture from which it’s made. In this second-part episode, Joan Moon and women’s leadership coach Stephanie Aitken continue their deep dive into the hidden...

Why do some people seem to glide through negotiations while others feel stuck, frustrated, or overlooked? Why is it that even highly capable professionals—especially women—sometimes walk away from opportunities undervalued and underpaid? The truth is, negotiation isn’t just about what you do in the room, it’s also about the habits and mindsets you bring with you long before the conversation starts...

Imagine finally landing a great job offer, only to have it snatched away the moment you try to negotiate. It sounds like a nightmare, yet one man shared in a workshop that it happened to him twice when he tried to negotiate: “I got two job offers revoked.” It’s a story that sparks an immediate question we all secretly worry about: Could this happen to me? In this episode, I dig into this very fear...

This might be a replay episode, but the topic is truly evergreen. After all, if you’re part of a family system, you’ll almost always find yourself negotiating—whether you realize it or not. And summer is one of those occasions that bring it to the surface. Summertime means time with family and relatives, and knowing your family, you might want to equip yourself with ideas and strategies to handle...

Have you ever opened a medical bill and felt like you were reading a foreign language—except it ends with a demand for thousands of dollars? What if you were told this was the bill, even after insurance had paid its share? In this episode, our caller, Charlotte, is a mother of two facing a $6,000 hospital bill after giving birth to her second child via C-section. Despite being fully insured, Charl...

What happens when the world’s most powerful government takes aim at one of its most prestigious universities? What does negotiation look like when brute force meets institutional resilience? On this episode of Grade the Negotiator, we explore the high-stakes standoff between the Trump administration and Harvard University—a situation that quickly escalated from policy pressure to legal warfare, al...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m so bad at negotiating”? You’re not alone. Many professionals—especially women—find negotiations intimidating, often citing discomfort, lack of information, or fear of backlash as reasons to avoid them altogether. Negotiation isn’t something you’re born knowing how to do. It’s a skill that, like any other, can be learned and refined. In this episode, we he...

Do you ever wonder what actually makes a negotiation work, especially when the stakes are sky-high and the emotions are just as intense? In a delightfully offbeat episode, I am going to take you through a negotiation postmortem using a dramatic hush-money scene from HBO's The White Lotus Season 3 finale. And yes—this is your spoiler warning. But this isn’t just about analyzing fictional drama...

What happens when you're doing everything right at work—exceeding expectations, holding down the fort, and driving results—yet your career still feels stuck in neutral? Sylvia’s situation is one many will relate to: a key team member seeking recognition, stability,  and clarity in a workplace that hasn’t quite delivered. This is part 3 of a 3-part series, and in this episode, we go through th...

Performance evaluations can be a stressful and uncertain process, especially when unclear expectations and shifting company policies come into play. Many employees find themselves in situations where new workplace rules—such as in-office attendance requirements—suddenly become factors in their evaluations, leaving them unsure of how to advocate for themselves. What do you do when the criteria for...

Have you ever walked into a performance evaluation hoping for a raise or promotion but left feeling unsure of where you stand? How do you make sure that your hard work is recognized, especially when new leadership doesn’t know you as well? These are the challenges that Sylvia is facing as she prepares for her annual performance review—one that could determine her salary, career trajectory, and fut...

Have you ever hesitated to advocate for yourself because you feared being seen as selfish or ungrateful?  Do you struggle to make explicit asks at work?  What steps can you take to overcome the fear of negotiating for what you truly deserve?  These are the challenges that Natalie faced head-on during a high-stakes career negotiation, ultimately securing her dream job along with a $75,000 bonus pay...

Are you maximizing the power of relationships in your career negotiations? Do you know how to strategically leverage allies to advocate on your behalf? Is it difficult for you to make explicit requests for your own benefit? What role do context and timing play in getting others to say yes? Negotiation can often feel like walking a tightrope, especially in high-stakes environments like big law. In...

Have you ever faced a dilemma where you had to choose between two incredible opportunities, both of which felt impossible to give up? Would you walk away from a $75,000 bonus from your present job, for a dream job offer? Would you risk losing it all by negotiating, or would you choose one over the other? In this episode, you'll get a glimpse of what a high-stakes negotiation looks like, uncov...

How can you navigate difficult conversations with your family during the holidays while maintaining your peace of mind? What strategies can help turn potentially contentious family discussions into moments of understanding and collaboration? Holidays are a time for family, celebration, and connection, but they can also bring challenges, particularly when it comes to negotiating family dynamics.  T...

In the world of job offers, there's much more to negotiation than simply pushing for a higher salary. Sometimes, asking for specific terms — like a four-day workweek — can introduce new layers of complexity. In this episode, let's break down the lessons and strategies from Naeha's job offer negotiation in Episode 13. Naeha successfully navigated her negotiation, maintained positive...

How do you balance career with the desire and need for personal time?  Have you ever faced a job offer that excited you but came with significant trade-offs?  In a world where work-life balance is increasingly prioritized, these are the kinds of questions that more professionals are grappling with. As the workforce evolves, many are seeking not just better salaries but a better quality of life — l...

This is a special episode from Joan’s guest spot on the NPR’s Life Kit podcast with host, Marielle Segarra . When you hear the word "negotiation," what comes to mind? Do you picture tense boardrooms, contract signings, or heated discussions about salary? While those are certainly examples, negotiations happen in more places than we realize. Have you ever compromised on where to go for di...