Negotiation Made Simple by John Lowry Summary
Overview of Negotiation Made Simple
Master negotiator John Lowry distills complex tactics into 240 pages of game-changing strategies. Praised by reviewer Bob Morris as "bold and empathetic," this guide has transformed business deals across healthcare and government. Why do industry leaders call it the secret weapon for win-win outcomes?
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Key takeaways
When Everything Is a Negotiation-And You Never Knew It
What if I told you that you've been negotiating your entire life without realizing it? That bedtime argument with your six-year-old? Negotiation. The "quick chat" with your boss about project deadlines? Negotiation. Even deciding where to grab dinner with friends involves the same strategic communication process that CEOs use to close million-dollar deals. Yet here's the uncomfortable truth: most of us stumble through these moments relying on gut instinct, hoping things work out. Meanwhile, a small elite-less than 10% of professionals-have cracked the code. They've learned that negotiation isn't about being the loudest voice in the room or the most aggressive dealmaker. It's about understanding a predictable process and knowing exactly when to push, when to listen, and when to walk away. The word "negotiation" comes from the Latin *negotiatus*, meaning "to carry on business." But we've narrowed its meaning so much that most people don't recognize they're negotiating even when they clearly are. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, a naval officer ordered warning shots fired at a Russian ship, not understanding that ship positioning was the delicate language Kennedy and Khrushchev were using to negotiate. He thought he was running a military operation. He was actually participating in the highest-stakes negotiation in human history-and nearly triggered nuclear war because he didn't know it. A young engineer at the Tennessee Department of Transportation insisted he never negotiated. His job was analyzing a dangerous road turn to reduce accidents. But when pressed, he realized his entire project was actually a negotiation between public officials about how to improve safety efficiently. Despite negotiation being central to his success, he'd received zero formal training. Your business card might say "Manager" or "Director" or "Consultant," but those titles obscure what you actually do to succeed. The real job? You manage strategic communication to make deals and solve problems. You negotiate. Once you embrace this identity, everything shifts. You stop reacting instinctively and start acting strategically.
Why Your Gut Will Betray You - And What to Do Instead
The Two Faces of Negotiation-And When to Use Each
The Predictable Pattern of Competitive Negotiation-And How to Exploit It
The Opening Move That Determines Everything
Moving from Positions to Interests-The Cooperative Approach
The Human Element That Seals the Deal
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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