6 FBI Negotiation Techniques

Negotiation isn’t only a boardroom skill.

It’s a daily survival skill.

You are negotiating more than you realise.

With your boss about deadlines.
With your team about priorities.
With your kids to do their chores.
With your spouse on everything….

But if you don’t know how to do it well,
You’ll keep saying “yes” when you mean “no.”
You’ll leave conversations feeling frustrated, unheard, or walked over.

Here are 6 tactics from the book”𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦” that you can use in everyday life:

1️⃣ Mirroring
Repeat the last 1–3 words they say. Sounds weird, but it works.People will open up, give more info, and feel heard.

-> Example:
Them: “This timeline is too tight.”
You: “Too tight?”
Them: “Yes, my plate is full at the moment.”
You: “Full at the moment?”

2️⃣ Label Emotions
Call out what they are feeling.
It builds trust and makes them feel seen.

Try this:
“It seems like you are frustrated.”
“It sounds like you are unsure about the timeline.”

3️⃣ Tactical Empathy
Show you understand their point, even if you disagree.
This lowers resistance and opens the door to real solutions.

Say:
“I get why that would feel unfair.”
“I understand why that’s frustrating.”

4️⃣ Make them say “No”
People feel safe saying “No.”
Use that to your advantage.

Instead of: “Are you going to do this project?”
Say: “Have you given up on this project?”

5️⃣ Aim for “That’s Right”
Summarise their perspective so clearly they say, “That’s right.”
That’s when you know they trust you.

Example:
“So you’ve been trying to fix this alone, and no one’s been supporting you.”

6️⃣ Call Out the Negatives
Say all the bad things they might be thinking about you, before they do.
It diffuses tension and wins respect.

Example:
“You probably think I’m being difficult.”
“You might think I’m not respecting your time.”
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