Negotiate Anything

Stop People-Pleasing — A Masterclass on Boundaries That Actually Hold

Dec 15, 2025
Minson Vo is a negotiation coach and undergraduate enthusiast, while Eliana Goldstein is a career strategist helping millennials pivot successfully. They dive into the dangers of people-pleasing and the importance of setting clear boundaries. Minson shares techniques for saying no without losing relationships, utilizing the ‘no sandwich’ approach. Eliana discusses overcoming guilt and recognizing when burnout necessitates change, emphasizing the need to define non-negotiables and protect your time.
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ADVICE

Prepare A Conversation And Your Emotions

  • Prepare briefly before tense conversations: take a minute to breathe, set goals, and plan emotionally to avoid triggers.
  • Decide in advance whether you'll engage or disengage and have a clear strategy for both options.
ADVICE

Leaders Should Be Neutral Advocates

  • As a leader, act as a neutral mediator and advocate for team cohesion, not individual sides.
  • Explicitly state you represent the organization's interests to avoid perceived bias and long-term credibility loss.
ADVICE

Agree Ground Rules And Aim For Understanding

  • Set ground rules and a mutual goal of understanding before discussing politics or sensitive topics.
  • Start with Level 1 (understand) communication and only move to persuasion after mutual understanding.
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