Mastering Negotiation Skills with Getting to Yes - Laying the foundation on the blog series
The blog series
The blog series “Mastering Negotiation Skills with Getting to Yes” is rooted in the groundbreaking work of Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton, the minds behind Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (Harvard Negotiation Project). Their research revolutionized negotiation by shifting the focus from adversarial haggling to principled, interest-based problem-solving.
This blog series distils the works of their timeless strategies into actionable snippets for leaders who want to resolve conflicts, build trust, and close deals without compromise
Introduction to the Authors & Why Their Work Matters
Who Are the Authors?
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Roger Fisher (1922–2012)
- Harvard Law professor and co-founder of the Harvard Negotiation Project.
- Pioneered the idea that negotiation should be collaborative, not combative.
- Key insight: “Separate the people from the problem.”
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William Ury
- Co-founder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and a global peace negotiator.
- Developed the BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) concept.
- Key insight: “The goal is not to win but to find a solution both parties can live with.”
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Bruce Patton
- Negotiation expert and co-author of later editions of Getting to Yes.
- Focused on practical frameworks for real-world conflicts.
Why Their Work Is Essential for Leaders
- Science-Backed: Based on decades of research at Harvard.
- Universal Principles: Applies to boardrooms, diplomacy, and daily life.
- Human-Centric: Emphasizes empathy, creativity, and fairness over brute-force tactics.
“Negotiation is not about outsmarting others—it’s about aligning interests to create value.” — Fisher & Ury
Next Step: Dive into the blog series as we bring you weekly actionable snippets