How I Lost Thousands by Not Negotiating – And How You Can Win Every Time- Key Negotiation Skills
By Gabriela Mueller Mendoza
I didn’t negotiate my first three jobs. Not even once.
When my managers announced a salary raise, I just took the number they gave me—no preguntas, oh dear! No pushback at all. I was younger, eager, and grateful just to have a good IT job. I thought negotiating was for other people.
That changed when a mentor sat me down and made me run the numbers.
“Do you even realize how much you’ve lost over the years?”
We did the math, and my stomach sank. I had left tens of thousands on the mesa simply by accepting raises instead of asking for what was fair and just.
That moment changed everything. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to help my clients negotiate powerfully, not just to close any deal—but to land a great deal for both sides.
Let’s get you there too.
5 Powerful Negotiation Strategies That Work
STOP chasing a “yes”—master the power of “no.”
Most people fear rejection in negotiations. But Chris Voss, the FBI’s top negotiator (whom I had the chance to meet and interview in Helsinki last year), told me:
“The real deal isn’t about getting a yes—it’s about mastering ‘no’ and understanding the path to an agreement.”
What does that mean? Stop pushing for quick approval. Instead, get comfortable hearing “no,” because that’s when real negotiation starts.
Now, let’s break it down:
The 5 Best Negotiation Strategies (HBR + FBI-Proven)
- Mirroring: Repeat the last 2-3 words they say.
Manager: “We’re offering $85K.”
You: “$85K?” (Pause. Let them talk. Often, they’ll justify or improve their offer.) - Label their emotions: “It sounds like…”
People want to be heard. Acknowledge their concerns to build trust.
“It sounds like the budget is tight, but you still see my value.” - Ask, “How am I supposed to do that?”
This forces them to reconsider constraints and gets them involved in finding a better solution. - Use the “accidental” anchor
Mention a higher number early so anything after seems reasonable.
“I’ve seen roles in this range go from $95K–$110K. How does your range compare?” - Stay silent—let them fill the gap.
When they give a number, pause. Most people hate silence and will sweeten the deal.
What Are Some top Negotiation Skills?
Negotiation isn’t about arguing—it’s about strategy. The best negotiators master:
- Active listening – You can’t win if you don’t listen.
- Emotional intelligence – Read the room.
- Patience – Silence makes people nervous (use it!).
- Framing – Present your ask as beneficial to both sides.
- Confidence – If you don’t believe in your value, why should they?
What Are the 5 C’s of Negotiation? I find that acronym and simple words can help us remember key steps in any process so here are some for you to remember before you start your next negotiation. Here are some based on the HBR Framework
- Clarity – Know exactly what you want. Vagueness kills deals.
- Collaboration – Frame your ask as a win-win.
- Compromise – Not every battle is worth fighting.
- Confidence – The one who believes in their worth wins.
- Control – Stay in charge of the conversation.
What Are the 5 P’s of Negotiation? Again, easy concepts, and these will remind you about the mindset to have before and during the process, specially in you are not yet getting what you want in the negotiation.
- Prepare – Research industry salaries, role expectations, and competition.
- Patience – Slow down! Rushed deals = bad deals.
- Persuasion – Use mirroring, labeling, and strategic silence.
- Power of No – Don’t fear rejection; use it to your advantage.
- Payoff – Know your bottom line. No deal is better than a bad deal.
Final Thought: Negotiate Like a Pro
If you only take one thing away from this post, let it be this: negotiation isn’t about getting a “yes.” It’s about getting a GREAT DEAL.
- You deserve fair pay.
- You deserve the best terms.
- You deserve to own your worth.
Now go out there and negotiate like a boss!
Your turn: Which strategy will you use first? Hit reply & share!
And if you found this valuable, share it with someone who needs a salary boost this year!
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