⚖️ Negotiation strategy - Sometimes the Smartest Deal Is the One You Walk Away From

In many negotiations throughout my career, I have faced a familiar pressure — the push to close a deal quickly, even when something about it didn’t feel right.If you’ve ever found yourself in that situation, you’re not alone.

One of the most powerful lessons I have learned is this:

NO deal is better than a bad deal.

Whether in business or in life, pressure can make us compromise too soon. We fear losing the opportunity, the client, or the momentum. And yet, saying yes for the wrong reasons often creates long-term challenges: misaligned expectations, strained relationships, and commitments that drain resources rather than generating value.

Effective negotiation is not defined by how fast we reach an agreement. It is defined by how clearly both parties understand what is right, fair, and sustainable. The strongest negotiators share a common skill: they know when to pause, reassess, or walk away.

Walking away is not an act of pride.It is an act of respect — for value, for time, and for trust.

By protecting the integrity of the deal today, we keep the door open for the right opportunity tomorrow. When we decline the wrong deal with clarity and confidence, we reinforce our purpose, our boundaries, and our long-term strategy.

Staying Clear Under Pressure

Negotiation pressure will always exist. What matters is how we manage it.So here is a question to reflect on:

What helps you stay calm and clear when you feel the pressure to compromise?

Share your thoughts — your insights may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

#Negotiation #Leadership #DecisionMaking #Integrity #Procurement #Finneway