The Art of Negotiation by Michael Wheeler Summary
Overview of The Art of Negotiation
Forget rigid negotiation playbooks. Michael Wheeler reveals how jazz-like improvisation wins deals in chaotic environments. Endorsed by Wynton Marsalis and diplomats alike, this game-changing approach teaches you to adapt like a master negotiator. What high-stakes situation could your new flexibility transform?
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Key takeaways
When Bill Gates Stole the TV Set
Picture a tense confrontation between two tech titans. Steve Jobs, furious, accuses Bill Gates of theft. Gates could have denied, deflected, or defended-instead, he offered this gem: "I think it's more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox, and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out you had already stolen it." In one sentence, he defused the tension, acknowledged reality, and reframed the entire conversation. This is negotiation at its finest-not the rigid, formulaic dance we've been taught, but something far more fluid and alive. For decades, we've approached negotiation like chess players memorizing opening gambits and endgame strategies. We've been told to identify our BATNA, focus on interests rather than positions, and separate people from problems. These frameworks aren't wrong-they're just incomplete. Real negotiation resembles jazz improvisation more than chess. The music changes as you play. Your counterpart introduces unexpected notes. The rhythm shifts beneath your feet. Success depends not on following a predetermined script but on your ability to listen, adapt, and create something new in the moment.
Why Your Carefully Laid Plans Will Fail
The Triangle That Transforms Everything
The Monopoly Player Who Built Manhattan's Most Expensive Block
The Emotions You're Pretending Don't Exist
The OODA Loop and Your Social Sonar
The Paradox of Success and the Legacy You'll Leave
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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