Short intro

This is probably going to be a trial and error experiment from which I'm hoping to land the correct format for my readers. So join me in the endeavor and feel free to share your thoughts in the form below.

During the last couple of years I have been obsessed with books. I am a bit ashamed of myself that I didn't start sooner, but it's never too late to start reading and focus on self growth. I began by exploring Romanian history, delved into financial education, and journeyed through the captivating world of science fiction and now I’m fanatical about personal development & startups.

tl;dr: I'm only going to write book reviews on:

  • Personal development
  • Start-ups/Entrepreneurship

However, if you're curious on what I'm reading or have read you can find my bookshelf here.

Never Split the Difference

never split the difference book cover

I have read a lot of books in the past few years, still not nearly as many as I wished to and I'm still a bit upset on myself for not starting earlier, however I have not read a more direct results one as 'Never split the difference' has proven to be. 📚

It was completely different, most of what I digest is focused on delayed results and compounding actions however Chris Voss really hit the nail on the head with this one. I must admit it is a difficult read and I probably revisit it in a month or so but this is the first book that had a direct impact on my life being able to negotiate bathroom renovation materials to 30% from the original price. 🔻

This exceptional masterpiece has revolutionized my perspective on negotiation and delivered tangible results like no other book before 💪. If you're ready to unlock the power of effective negotiation and witness tangible results, I wholeheartedly recommend "Never Split the Difference."

Let its invaluable teachings reshape your perspective and enhance your outcomes in both personal and professional realms. 🌟

Key takeaways

    "Never Split the Difference" introduces unconventional tactics that challenge traditional approaches, this comes from Chris's FBI training and lifelong experience as a negotiator both with terorists and C-level executives (while consulting various companies).

  • Tactical empathy:

    • Understanding the other party's perspective and using empathy strategically.🪖

  • Active listening:

    • Listening actively and attentively to foster understanding and build rapport. This is where we fail 99% of the time, we always forget to listen and focus more on what our next reply is going to be.👂

  • Emotional intelligence:

    • Leveraging emotional intelligence to navigate challenging conversations and defuse tension. Body language and the tone of our voice is a million times more important than what we say.🧠

  • Collaborative approach:

    • Viewing negotiation as a collaborative process, seeking mutually beneficial solutions. The truth is, most of the time is not you against the other person, it is you and the party reaching an agreement, a common ground, in which in the end everyone goes home happy and satisfied. It is not a competition.

  • Controlling your fears:

    • We humans hate conflict so most of the times our fight or flight instinct kicks in, we must not let it get the better of us. In negotiations, you are in a competition only with yourself to get the best possible deal. Our primordial brains always seeks acceptance into the social circle, thus we want to avoid confruntation at any cost.

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