

1816: [Part 1] The Ten Worst Things You Can Do In A Negotiation by James Altucher on Self-Awareness and Restraint
4 snips Sep 20, 2025
James Altucher reveals the top negotiation blunders that can derail even the best deals. He emphasizes the power of self-awareness and the importance of restraint in conversations. Discover why silence can be a negotiator's best ally and how being overly eager can cost you. He also discusses the benefits of expanding negotiable terms and the need to prioritize long-term goals over short-term gains. Learn to strategically say no and how to maintain a balance between warmth and assertiveness in negotiations.
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The 'Acting Like An Idiot' Negotiator
- He remembered a top negotiator who acted like an idiot as a tactic and then stopped speaking to him later.
- The memory captures how performative behavior can mask strategic intent in negotiations.
Warmth Comes Before Terms
- Negotiation begins with establishing warmth and tribe membership between parties.
- Vulnerability then shapes who wants to take care of whom in the deal.
Negotiate A Bigger List Of Terms
- Expand the list of negotiation terms beyond the headline number to create tradeable levers.
- Use plenty of small concessions to protect the big outcomes you care about.