“Sunday Negotiation Insight”
“To be your true self, only you can define who you are.” -Greg Williams, The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert
“Do You Know Me, Now?”
Who are you? You’re not the person that you use to be. When others attempt to define you, ask them … Do you know me? Do you know who I really am? I’m not the person that you knew yesterday. That person is gone. I’m not the person that you’ll know tomorrow. That person is still being created. I’m the person that you see before you, right now. I’m full of wonderment, wisdom, and surprise. The person that you see now is the sum of my past personas. Just because you can’t see my current persona doesn’t mean it’s not there.
I am who I am because I choose to be that person. I’ll only accept your opinion of me to the degree that it serves me. Thus, you cannot tell me that I’m not good enough. You cannot point out my shortcomings and expect me to accept it as my reality. You cannot tell me that I won’t be successful. Only I can define me, and who I was yesterday is no longer who I am today. Look at me! I’ve grown since yesterday and I’ll grow again today. Watch me, because I’ll do so again tomorrow. Look at me, I’m new and I’m different than I was before. If need be, I’ll tell you the same tomorrow.
What does this have to do with negotiations?
Every negotiation is different than the last, even when it’s with the same person. Be mindful of those that would seek to disadvantage you, due to their assignment of your value. If such assessment doesn’t serve you, disavow it.
Some negotiators will try to take advantage of you. That is, until you show them that you’re no longer the person that they took advantage of in the past. You can reshape your persona and cast a different impression of yourself anytime you choose to. So, choose to be the person that you wish to become and project the persona that serves you best when negotiating. Remember, in persona, the word ‘person’ exist. Be the person you choose to be when it’s that persona that serves you best … and everything will be right with the world.
What’s your opinion? I’d really like to know. Reach me at Greg@TheMasterNegotiator.com
Remember, you’re always negotiating.