Gentle Power

In this episode, we cover:Why there’s no magic “round limit” in negotiations.How “this is our best and final offer” usually signals when to stop – and when to read between the lines.Why “first offer = best & final” is almost never true – and how one client added six figures to an allegedly unmovable package.Strategies for fixed pay-band roles (government, academia, teaching): what you can still negotiate when base pay is capped.Dealing with recruiter personalities: why both overly aggressive and super-friendly counterparts can trip you up – and the one mindset that keeps you in control.We also share personal stories including:A family-centered trip to Albania after an uncle’s passing – late-night calls, grandma cuddles, and twin cousins.How our pilot friend Alan found us last-minute standby flights.Reflections on missing home when you’ve migrated continents, and why you should never go a year without those family hugs.Whether you’re navigating corporate roles, academic appointments, or government-scale jobs, this episode gives you the mindset and scripts to know exactly when to push and when to pause.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

We recorded this week’s show in the gorgeous GoSpread.ai podcast space in San Francisco – thank you, team! (Yes, we instantly wanted to crank out a dozen episodes in those vibes.)Here’s what we covered:Negotiation behind-the-scenes of a dream weekend: Alex recently performed an opening DJ set at The Chainsmokers show (nearly 10K attendees!) in San Francisco—LED screens, crowd-surfing friends, and even a robot DJ trying to steal the show. But getting there wasn’t straightforward: he was already offered to open for another major artist the same weekend, and chasing the Chainsmokers slot meant taking a risk. We break down how our “maximize, don’t satisfy” mantra guided the decision—and how the whole experience became a real-life negotiation, balancing opportunity with long-term relationships.Promotions vs. raises vs. brand-new offers:Why companies usually put a cap on your raise by leveraging status-quo bias.The hidden leverage in new job offers—and how sharing salary history undermines it.Long game vs. quick win: why asking for a raise is a months-long campaign, not a one-email sprint.Tactful transparency: what to say (and not say) if you’re courting external roles while staying on good terms internally.Action homework: Answer a recruiter DM this week—even if you love your job—to test your market value.Huge gratitude to GoSpread.ai for the beautiful set-up and post-production magic. If you’re in SF and need a turnkey podcast studio, reach out to them at hello@gospread.co.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we share about Alex’s most exciting performance to-date for his side hobby, DJing. We also share exactly how we work with you:DJing for The Chainsmokers: Alex is on deck as the opening DJ for The Chainsmokers’ SF block party, and the two of us are gearing up to join Titanic’s End for our first-ever Burning Man.What “negotiation coaching” really looks like:Free 15–30 min consult on Zoom to see if we’re a mutually good fit and share some negotiation tips.One-page Google-Doc contract to minimize friction—sign and we’re off.Onboarding portal (via Beacons.ai) with your personal priorities, timeline, and all the details we need.Self-paced video modules: our core negotiation philosophy, scripts for recruiter calls, written-offer tactics, email templates, and more—for life-long access.Tailored strategy calls with Gerta: live prep, email/text drafts, on-the-fly coaching, “therapist-style” pep talks, and confidentiality you can trust.Pricing & ROI: flat fee + success fee (the delta between your initial and final offer)—why it pays to bring us in sooner rather than later.Real-world case study: see how one mid-career marketing candidate accidentally gave away his leverage—and how working with us early would have changed the game.Whether you’re a C-level exec, founder, or rising manager, learn exactly what it’s like to work with YourNegotiations.com, and why every minute of prep before a written offer can unlock tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

For this week’s episode, we are sharing an interview that Gerta did with the Shift to Freedom Podcast. Led by transformational life coach Ben Easter, this podcast helps business owners reduce overwhelm, beat imposter syndrome, and lead with confidence and clarity.In this conversation, Gerta and Ben dispel common negotiation myths, provide actionable insights, and share practical tips and strategies to transform negotiation outcomes from “dividing the pie” to “expanding the pie” – from identifying your priorities to learning the power of silence.We covered topics including:Creative Value-Adds: Identifying the multiple “chips” you can trade beyond price – start dates, deliverables, perks, reviews, PTO and moreIntelligent Discovery: Research hacks – from reading between the lines to tapping mutual connections – to uncover what truly matters to the other sideAchieving “Best & Final”: Exact scripts and cues for when they say their offer is non-negotiable (and why it almost never is)Setting Your Boundaries: Clarifying your priorities and non-negotiables in advance so you know exactly when to press and when to walk awayAvoiding the People-Pleaser Pitfall: Why extreme politeness can cost you – and when to bring in outside support or professional coachingConnect with Ben here:Website: lucidshiftcoaching.comInstagram: @lucid_shift_coachingFor more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we cover:Our “Messaging App Multiverse” and why choosing the right channel matters for different communitiesWhether unstructured banter builds rapport or just eats into your negotiation capitalA deep-dive case study: how a new-mom’s breast-milk delivery ask morphed into a $40K base-salary winThree key tactics: strategic prioritization, timing your asks, and translating niche requests into straightforward dollarsWe also share behind-the-scenes moments, including:Gerta’s Viber family group chaos vs. Alex’s Slack-only business chatsOur ongoing debate: chit-chat first or cut straight to the chase?Alex’s early-career lesson: negotiating time off for a wedding that didn’t need approvalWhether you’re navigating benefits, salary, or bespoke requests, you’ll walk away knowing exactly when to lean in on personal connection and when to zero in on the highest-impact ask.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we cover:How “I don’t want to play games, just give me your number” is itself a negotiation moveExact scripts to deflect that request and get them to share their total compensation budget firstWhy the salary range on a job post rarely equals the company’s true internal budgetThe rare times it’s okay to name your number (competing offers, true peer-to-peer deals)We also share stories from our week apart, including:One of us at a wild Tulum bachelor party, the other in a surprisingly serene co-living house in SFLessons from “Designing Your Life” on how to find your dream job“Weird Wednesdays” screening of Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind: surprise gong, mystery side-quests, and memory-themed letters mailed anywhere in the worldA Valentine’s Day spent solo—why absence turned out to be the best reminder of what mattersWhether you’re negotiating a new role, consulting rates, or freelance gigs, you’ll walk away with the mindset and language to hold your cards close—and still build strong relationships.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we cover:Why over-communicating is a career asset but a negotiation liabilityExact scripts to deflect salary-history questions and ask for their budget firstA real client story: turning a lowball salary-history request into leverage for a higher offerCritical mistakes to avoid: from sharing your numbers too soon to skipping the written offerBehind-the-scenes SF community highlights that shape our negotiation philosophyWhether you’re navigating job offers, consulting contracts, or side-gig fees, this episode equips you with the mindset and language to negotiate like a pro.We also pull back the curtain on our personal lives, including:Our 13-year anniversary sneak-out through Richmond’s best Asian dessert spots.Our Wellesley College origin story – that fateful first encounter on a tiny campus pathway in 2009.“Turtle vs. Ninja Turtle” therapy hacks for squashing small issues before they blow up.Adopting Fami, our non-binary mascot, to practice they/them pronouns and stand up for inclusion.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we explore how the same mindset that helps you conquer FOMO in your social life can supercharge your negotiation power. We reveal how cultivating an “abundance mentality” lets you pause, ask smarter questions, and never undersell yourself.We also talk about our community in San Francisco and give you a peek into our vibrant social lives here, including attending events with top tech leaders and robot DJs, friends who want to recreate the animated movie Up in real life, Korean traditions, and real snakes at a Lunar New Year party.This episode covers:Why FOMO sabotages your negotiations and how to flip it into confidenceThe exact script to ask for their budget before you name your numberA real negotiation that turned a ~$300 market-rate gig into $2,000Key pitfalls to avoid: from oversharing too soon to skipping the written offerBehind-the-scenes SF community highlights that inspire our approachWhether you’re negotiating job offers, freelance rates, or simply want more confidence in asking for what you deserve, this episode arms you with the mindset and language to negotiate like a pro.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

In this episode, we dive into one of the trickiest parts of the job offer process: the verbal offer. Many candidates mistakenly believe this stage means they’ve sealed the deal, but it’s actually where the stakes are highest. Learn why negotiating too early can backfire, and how to protect your leverage until a written offer is in hand.We also unpack how small comments can unintentionally weaken your position, and explore why sharing your competing offers (even proudly!) can hurt more than help. Plus, a candid behind-the-scenes look at our approach to personal communication, and the importance of acting on inspiration when it strikes.This episode covers:The false security of verbal offersWhy oversharing hurts negotiationReal-world client examples from Google, TikTok & AI startupsOur personal tools for tackling unspoken tension and staying inspiredWhether you're job hunting, negotiating, or just love insightful conversations – this one’s for you.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex

This episode has it all—quirky tales about discovering a newfound love for dogs, overcoming allergies, and the realization that sometimes we just need to “see it in writing” before saying yes. Tune in to hear how we moved from skeptical pet observers to full-on dog aficionados, peppered with fun stories about apartment living, unexpected pet-sitting experiences, and family pets that captured our hearts.On the professional side, we unpack the single biggest rule of salary negotiations: never name your price too early. We break down tactics for deflecting salary questions during interviews and explain the hidden power of waiting for an official offer letter. If you want to learn how to stand your ground in a tough market—or just want to hear some hilarious pet moments—this is the podcast episode for you.For more:Book free consultation call with Alex: CalendlyGet our free negotiation worksheet: YourNegotiations.comRead our weekly newsletter: NewsletterInstagram: @yournegotiationsLinkedIn: Gerta | Alex