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How To Read People, Calm Tension, Build Trust, and Ask For What You're Worth | John Richardson

Jul 27, 2026 · 1h 1m

Summary

Dan Harris interviews negotiation expert John Richardson, author of *Never Settle*, on mastering persuasion as a learnable performance skill. They discuss practical tactics like the "give them a sandwich" reciprocity principle, why lying is strategically unsound, and how to manage emotions through labeling. Richardson emphasizes understanding both parties' interests to create value before distributing outcomes, offering advice applicable to business and personal relationships.

Topics discussed

Introduction and sponsor messages Defining negotiation as a performance skill Manipulation vs. influence and why lying is bad strategy The power of reciprocity and small acts of generosity Managing emotions and preparation in negotiations Tactical empathy, labeling emotions, and using names Identifying interests and handling untrustworthy parties Value creation vs. distribution and anchoring effects BATNA, the power of saying no, and gender dynamics Practicing negotiation skills and closing remarks
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